Financing for Gender Equality Consultant

Systematic under-investment in gender equality is a global trend that is impeding progress toward gender equality in most countries. Evaluations by UN agencies have underscored this challenge time and again. Moreover, it has been found that “resource constraints negatively impact the UN Country Teams’ ability to deliver as one on gender equality. In most pilots it is not possible to track the full extent of commitments or expenditure for gender equality and women’s empowerment outside of specialized joint programmes. Where figures are available, they demonstrate that a very small proportion of resources are visibly dedicated to gender equality, with the highest proportion at around ten percent in some countries. In 2009 the UNDG Task Team on Gender Equality, with guidance from the UNDG, took a decision to pilot a system of tracking budget allocations and expenditures towards the promotion of gender equality (One Budget Framework) in the context of Delivering as One Pilots. As a first step, an inter-agency sub-group was established to build on existing systems, such as those of OECD DAC, UNDP or UNICEF. The sub-group aims to review and build on these existing systems for tracking resources committed to promoting gender equality and women’s/girls’ empowerment and look into the feasibility of ultimately developing a harmonized system for the UN system as a whole. The sub- group is currently co-chaired by UNDP and UNICEF. UNFPA and UN Women are also pro-active members. The UNDG Task Team on Gender Equality established the subgroup with the understanding that in order for the gender marker to be an even more effective tracking tool for gender-related investments, it is critical that a common tracking and reporting approach be used by all agencies. Such a system would enable each agency to use a common approach in tracking resources that contribute to gender equality within UN agencies. It would also enable the production of comparable reports and the development of targets to track progress. Overall, it would allow for a more coherent and effective way to manage, monitor and report on each agency’s performance on gender equality results. The Secretary-General, at the 63rd General Assembly, called for “UN-managed funds, and in particular the United Nations Development Group Multi-Donor Trust Funds (to) pilot the system, pioneered by UNDP to allow decision-makers track gender-related allocations.” Following the OECD DAC’s model and overall UNDP’s guidance (which piloted the Gender Marker in 2007), a number of UN agencies have adopted gender markers geared towards similar purposes. These systems share the same conceptual design, are based on some commonly agreed principles and produce information that can be harmonized into a standard reporting template. It is important to clearly articulate the underlying conceptual rationale of these gender markers and to identify a set of minimum agreed principles that can guide other UN agencies in developing systems for reporting on resource allocation and expenditure for gender equality outputs. This will facilitate quality and comparability of reports, understanding of trends over time and across agencies, and improved results-based management by different UN agencies, funds, programmes and departments. The objective of this consultancy is to develop a Guidance Note establishing principles and standards for tracking and reporting on allocations and expenditures for gender equality to ensure comparable data across the UN system. It is expected that the note will guide the development of an effective and coherent approach for tracking resources towards gender equality results with agreed upon parameters and standards inside the UN System.

Duties and Responsibilities

Deliverables and Milestones The Consultant will work for a total of 28 days, based on the following milestones: November A. Review key literature on financing for gender equality and tracking systems paying special attention to the OECD-DAC gender equality marker methodology and to the tracking systems by UN agencies, including assessments and supporting materials(12 days). December Participate and lead a preparatory meeting with the sub-group members to identify expectations and agree on the Scope of the Guidance Note (2 days) Prepare a first draft of the Guidance note (5 days) January Revise the document according to the feedback received ( 4 days) B. Facilitate a one day inter-agency workshop to validate the final document ( 2 days) Finalize and submit the final document to Sub-group ( 3 day)

Competencies

Demonstrated knowledge and experience on results-based management, accountability and financing for gender equality, including gender-responsive budgeting. Experience and knowledge with the UN system and the OECD DAC gender marker methodology is preferred. Demonstrated writing, analytical and facilitating skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Economics or International Development Experience: Minimum of ten years of experience on issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, in particular on financing for gender equality. Experience and knowledge with the UN system and the OECD DAC gender marker methodology. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish a strong advantage. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 1. Proposal: Cover note explaining why they are the most suitable for the work. 2. Financial proposal 3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and 3 references Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: Financial Proposal: The proposal from applicant should indicate all-inclusive the daily fee rate in US dollar. Travel: At least two consultancy-related trips are anticipated to NY if consultant is based elsewhere. UNDP/UNICEF will arrange travel by providing most direct and economy fare tickets, daily substance allowances and will cover terminal expenses. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and should be reflected in the contract through processing an amendment. Evaluation Process: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Cumulative analysis When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight; 70 points Criteria Weight Maximum Points Technical A minimum of ten years of experience on issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, in particular on financing for gender equality. 20 20 Demonstrated knowledge and experience on results-based management, accountability and financing for gender equality, including gender-responsive budgeting. 20 20 Experience with the UN system and the OECD DAC gender marker methodology is preferred 15 15 Demonstrated writing, analytical and facilitating skills. 15 15 Financial 30 30 Applicants obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation The following formula has been used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (μ/z) p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal μ = price of the lowest priced proposal z = price of the proposal being evaluated Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it together with Curriculum Vitae on the online application. The P11 Form may be obtained at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Financing for Gender Equality Consultant