UNDP Moldova

Gender Expert and Communication and Public Speaking Expert for Women Associations from Defense and Security Sectors, NPA and Custom Services.

Vacancy Number: Pr21/02197

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	27 Mar 2021, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	31 Mar 2021, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	01 Apr 2021, 13:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Service Contract
Starting date:	05 Apr 2021
Reference to the project:	UN Women
Expected Duration of Assignment:	Up to 50 working days within a 9 calendar months period (Gender Expert) Up to 27 working days within a 9 calendar months period (Communication Expert)
Supporting Documents: Annex I. Price Proposal Guideline and Template Terms of Reference UN Women Conditions of Service Consultants Personal History Form (P11) UN Women

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In 2018 UN Women Moldova Country Office started to implement its new Strategic Note (SN) for 2018-2022, which is aligned with the Republic of Moldova–United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018–2022 and the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women. Under its current SN, UN Women cooperates closely with the government, civil society, academia, private sector and the media to advance social, economic and political rights and opportunities for women and girls, placing special focus on those from marginalized, excluded and under-represented groups. These include rural women, Romani women, women with disabilities, women living with or affected by HIV, women survivors of violence, women migrants, elderly women and others. UN Women’s operation in Moldova focuses on bringing about concrete change in the lives of women and the society towards the long-term impact of achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the country. Specifically, the SN 2018-2022 advances progress under the following three Impact Areas (IA): IA1: More women fully participate and lead in gender responsive governance processes and institutions, including in the security sector, IA2: Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy, IA3: Public authorities, institutions and communities prevent violence against women and girls and deliver quality essential services. Towards these Impact Areas, UN Women works with variety of national and international partners to challenge gender-based stereotypes and towards the creation of an environment, whereby women act as key agents of change towards greater equality and development, in partnership with men and boys.

Rationale

UN Women supported the process of developing the National Strategy for Gender Equality for 2017-2021 adopted in April 2017. Under its “Gender Equality in Peace and Security Sector” area of intervention and forth overall objective on “Ensuring gender equality in the security and defense sector”, the Strategy envisages two specific objectives to be achieved as a result of implementation of a set of 13 activities, such as promotion of women in managerial positions in security and defense institutions, enhancing capacities of the personnel of in-line institutions on promotion and implementation of policies on ensuring gender equality in security and defense sector, raising awareness of the personnel from in-line ministries on equal treatment and work-life balance, including in the Curriculum of subjects on gender equality in security and defense sector, development of mechanism to prevent and control sexual harassment, ensuring implementation of the CEDAW Committee’s General Recommendation no. 30 and of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UN SCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security, etc.

An important breakthrough occurred in May 2017, when after months of deliberations and advocacy, a Government Decision was adopted (Order no. 54-d from May 29, 2017) which formally launched the process of developing National Action Plan (NAP) on the Implementation of UN SCR 1325. UN Women provided extensive technical support to the Government in raising awareness and knowledge on the women, peace and security agenda and on gender mainstreaming in the security and defense sector, in the process of preparation for and development of the NAP on UN SCR 1325. In March 2018, the National Programme on Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for 2018-2021 and the Action Plan on its implementation were adopted. The National Programme recognizes the key role women play in peace building and ensuring security and proposes concrete actions to address barriers against increased representation and influence of women in the security sector in the Republic of Moldova.

UN Women is committed to provide continuous support to relevant governmental institutions, including to Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs, on promotion of the women, peace and security agenda and on achieving specific results envisaged in the National Programme. The cooperation between UN Women and the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Republic of Moldova, were consolidated with the signing of 2 Memoranda of Cooperation in 2018 (July and August respectively). The main objective of the Memoranda is to increase institutional capacities and knowledge of the institution in the areas of gender equality and implementation of UN SCR 1325 and other WPS-related Resolutions. Specifically, the Memoranda of Cooperation seeks to contribute to reduce the stereotypes about the role of women in the security and defense sector, to improve the opportunities for women and men from the system to reconcile the professional and family life, to prevent and respond to discrimination, harassment, and gender-based violence within the sector, etc.

In the framework of the Memoranda of Understanding between UN Women and the Ministry of Defense, and UN Women and Ministry of Internal Affairs, UN Women has committed to provide support to the National Army Women's Association (NAWA), National Association of Women in Internal Affairs System (NAWIAS), and Association of Women in Police (AWP) to strengthen its internal capacities on gender mainstreaming and advancing the WPS agenda. In this respect, UN Women Moldova is seeking to contract a National Consultant to provide extensive support in developing a strategic development plan for all three associations (NAWA, NAWIAS, and AWP).

During 2019 – 2020 UN Women Moldova offered technical guidance, coaching, advice and various type of other support through engagement of national consultants and/or Responsible Partners for advancing the Associations‘ activity by undertaking a comprehensive desk review of the relevant legal framework to identify the current state of affairs and development of their own Strategic Development Plans, regulations and other internal documents from gender perspective.

Building on the progress obtained so far, based on received support request, UN Women decided to continue to offer its support for all three associations (NAWA, NAWIAS, and AWP), including Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova and National Penitentiary Administration, for capacity building on organisational development and leadership based on their already developed Strategic/Annual Plans to ensure gender mainstreaming and advancing the WPS agenda within defence and security sectors, including communication skills.

Scope of work

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist, Programme Analyst and Programme Officer of Women in Leadership and Governance Area, the selected national consultant/s will support the NAWA, NAWIAS, AWP, Customs Service, and National Penitentiary Administration, in strengthening their organizational-administrative capacities and implementation of their specific activities, improve communication skills as per own strategic development plans to advance the WPS agenda within defence and security sectors from gender perspective.

Duties and Responsibilities

More specifically, the following tasks shall be undertaken by the national consultant/s:

Tasks and activities	Estimated workload (workdays)
Lot 1: Gender Expert for Women Association from Defence and Security Sectors, NPA and Custom Services
1. Prepare a detailed work plan and inception report describing the methodology and approach to be applied for this assignment, including possible timeframe	Up to 2 day
2. Conduct informative discussions with the leadership of the associations, including with representatives of Customs Service and National Penitentiary Administration by undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the current Strategic Development Plans and other relevant legal framework and to start planning the activities as per institution request sent to UN Women and to ensure they are taking into account the gender perspective. The consultant shall assist and offer support to the institution with implementations of strategic activities.	Up to 5 days
3. Organize, plan and deliver capacity building sessions, along with team of consultants, similar to mentorship programme in broader and more individualised groups, related to gender equality, gender mainstreaming, leadership, resolution 1325, prevention and combating discrimination, sexual harassment at workplace, gender-based violence, men involvement in children's education, Reconciliation of Family and Professional Life, and not limited to. In conducting this task, the consultant shall identify jointly the target groups from the institutions, considering the international and national legislation, strategic plans, and internal resolutions. Also the consultant shall develop the outline, curriculum, agenda, background readings, training aids and case studies for the sessions.	Up to 10 days
4. Organize, plan and deliver capacity building sessions for Women in Defence and Security Sector Institutions, including for Gender Coordination Groups, along with team of consultants, to improve their knowledge in the field of strategic communication, Gender-Sensitive Communication, fundraising, lobby, advocacy in promoting of women in these sectors. The consultant shall decide along with Security and Defence institutions the topics, but not limited to, such as: strengthening the capacities in writing gender sensitive messages, online and offline communication, promoting of the objectives of the association including gender equality in these sectors), communication with the media for press officers, interviews, reports, public speaking, and negotiation techniques in achieving the objectives. The consultant shall decide along with Association representative the modality of delivery of trainings. Also the consultant shall develop the outline, curriculum, agenda, background readings, training aids and case studies for the sessions.	Up to 10 days
5. Provide capacity building, guidance, inputs and recommendations for existing Gender Coordination Units members on various aspects, along with team of consultants, (promotion of informative materials on the web page regarding the national legislation in the field, internal regulations, case studies, jurisprudence, discussions with specialists in the field, training, etc.). The consultant shall present expertise for establishment of other Gender Units in case they are not founded so far. The consultant shall analyse the internal rules and regulations and develop agenda, plan and invitations to events.	Up to 5 days
6. Provide technical guidance and advice to the leadership and relevant members of the 3 Women Associations, Custom Service and Penitentiary Institutions on the implementation of the “National Programme on Implementation of the UN SC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for 2018-2021”.	Up to 5 days
7. Provide assistance in Initiating the discussions with the Police Academy of the Ministry of Interior regarding the inclusion in the curriculum of full-time / part-time students of gender-related topics.	Up to 5 days
8. Identify opportunities for South-South exchange of experiences between Women Associations in the Defence and Security Sector of Moldova and its counterparts from other countries in the area of gender equality. Identify good practices from Moldova and from other countries and facilitate their sharing via online and offline means.	Up to 3 days
9. Undertake continuous mapping of the interventions and fund-raising opportunities in the area of work of the MoD, MIA, Customs Service, National Penitentiary Administration that have a direct impact on gender mainstreaming and advancing the WPS agenda, and that engage the associations and/or their members.	Up to 3 days
10. Provide monthly progress reports to UN Women on undertaken work.	Up to 2 days
Total:	Up to 50 days
LOT 2: Communication Expert
11. Prepare a detailed work plan and inception report describing the methodology and approach to be applied for this assignment, including possible timeframe.	Up to 2 days
12. Develop and deliver 5 (five) up to three-day informative and practical online capacity building sessions focused on communication, institutional visibility, branding, tips for public speaking, advocacy, how to create a speech for various audience, how to be gender sensitive language, and informational campaigns for promoting and increasing the visibility of women in defense, customs, penitentiary, and security sectors in online and offline format and not limited to. One 3-day training for 5 institutions/associations (NAWA, NAWIAS, AWP, Custom Services and National Penitentiary Administration) for up to 30 relevant members each. The consultant shall consider the Strategic Planning/ Annual Work Plans of each institutions, by providing technical guidance and advice, including homework.	Up to 21 days
13. Provide monthly progress reports to UN Women on undertaken work.	Up to 2 days
14. Provide a 1-day training for UN WOMEN staff related to public speaking for up to 35 personnel.	Up to 2 days
Total	Up to 27 days
Grand Total	UP TO 77 days

Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the UN Women Programme Specialist, WILG Programme Analyst and Programme Officer shall be the only criteria for the National Consultant’s (consultants) work being completed and eligible for payment/s. UN Women takes the responsibility, in case of more than one application, to divide the tasks among more relevant consultants based on their field of expertise. It is suggested that the submitted application to contain the number of tasks mentioned to be undertaken in the attached ToR and what are the task beyond their knowledge.

Deliverables

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 9 months, not exceeding 70 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

Monthly reports on major tasks performed and the results, related to support provided to the associations, Custom Service and Penitentiary Administration including detailed description of carried out activities and provided support, collected data, recommendations on strengthening collaborations between UN Women and mentioned security and defence institutions, etc. Information, analytical work papers in GEWE aspect etc.

The following to be attached to the monthly reports:

Agendas of the meetings organized with representatives of each association and agenda, plus materials provided before and during the coaching session; The list of participants shall has disaggregated data.
A map of implemented activities by different national and international actors on gender equality in the security and defence sector that engage the associations and their members;
A map with interventions and fundraising opportunities. Draft projects of the Strategic Development Plan for each Association;
And others, as may apply.

Requirements for experience

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

Mature judgment and initiative;
Ability to think out-of-the-box;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
Ability to work under pressure against strict deadlines;
Ability to present complex issues persuasively and simply;

Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;

Displays cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GENDER EXPERT:

Education

Master’s Degree in gender, human rights, law, political science, sociology, communication, public speaking, international relations, international economics, security or other related fields.

Experience

At least five (5) years of proven track record of working on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Republic of Moldova, including conducting participatory trainings, workshops, and presentations stated;
At least three (3) years of professional experience in coordinating and managing strategic planning and evaluation processes of policy documents. Working with WPS sectors is a strong Asset;
Proved knowledge and work experience of the Women, Peace, and Security Sector, implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), work experience with Ministries from defence and Security Sectors will be an asset.
Previous work experience in analysing/developing policies or provision of recommendations and/or amendments to national legal framework, including from Gender Perspective
Experience in working with UN WOMEN or other UN agencies is a strong asset

Language Requirements

Excellent command of Romanian, Russian and English languages.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING EXPERT:

Education

Master’s Degree in gender, human rights, law, political science, sociology, communication, public speaking, or other related fields.

Experience

At least five (five) years of professional experience in delivery of training related to public speaking and communications
At least five (five) years of professional proven experience providing public speaking advice for senior stakeholders and local authorities;
Previous experience in delivery trainings related to writing speech and/or providing advice on advocacy speech writing
Proven previous experience in branding promotion of companies or associations (online and offline)
Experience in working with UN WOMEN or other UN agencies is an asset.

Language Requirements

Excellent command of Romanian, Russian and English languages.

Documents to be included

Interested candidates must submit via online submission system the following documents/ information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Letter of Intent with justification of being the most suitable for the work, vision and working approach, specifically indicating experience of promoting gender equality especially in the security and defense sectors
Duly filled Personal History Form (P11) and/or CV, including records on past experience in similar project/assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;

Financial proposal

Financial proposal (in MDL) shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days and any other possible costs); Please see TOR Annex I: Price Proposal Guideline and Template and Annex II: Price Proposal Submission FormThe financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days).

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