National Consultant to support the City of Banja Luka in including women perspective in urban planning and design processes

Background

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. We are trusted partners for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life, and a leader in the effort to achieve gender equality.

UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has an extensive programme portfolio on ending violence against women (VAW) in all its forms. Domestic violence and other forms of VAW are widespread in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), constituting serious violations of fundamental human rights. Too often this violence is normalized and seen as “socially acceptable behavior” or justified as prevailing social practice and behavior and as accepted norms in the role and status of women in the family and society. The latest OSCE led survey on Well-being and Safety of Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2019) indicated that nearly half of women older than fifteen (48%) have experienced some form of abuse including intimate partner violence, non-partner violence, stalking and sexual harassment (SH).

Since 2020, the VAW portfolio in UN Women BiH has been working on implementation of a comprehensive approach to prevent and respond to sexual violence in public spaces. Adapting the global methodology, tools and knowledge from the UN Women’s Safe cities and safe public spaces global initiative , UN Women BiH in partnership with the City of Banja Luka conducted a scoping study on the nature of SH in public spaces, including a focus on attitudes about and experiences of SH against women and girls in public spaces in two local communities- Lazarevo and Vrbanja to inform the development of the Banja Luka Safe City Programme Document with Women and Girls. The study showed that VAW in Banja Luka is widely accepted, and that SH and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls (SVAWG) in public spaces is often normalized, with a high tolerance of SH. Strong patriarchal attitudes, distrust in the institutions to address the issue and lack of essential services for survivors of sexual violence are cited by study participants as some of the key challenges in ending SVAWG in Banja Luka.

The recommendations from the Scoping study were transformed into a 5-year strategic plan- the SC/SPS Programme Document (2020 to 2025) for Banja Luka. The plan proposes a comprehensive approach- investing parallel efforts to achieve different results (e.g change of attitudes on SH, and the reduction in SH, strengthening legislation on SH, improving access to quality essential services, and improving women’s safety through gender responsive urban planning that takes account of the needs of women, in all their diversity)

Duties and Responsibilities

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

The overall development objective is to provide global technical advisory support to UN Women CO BIH in creating an enabling environment for Banja Luka to be safe and inclusive city in which women and girls are empowered in spaces that are free of SH. The results from this process shall contribute to the SCSPS Programme Document Outcome 3: Investments in the safety of public infrastructure are responsive to women’s needs, rights and protection from SH and other forms of sexual violence in public spaces, and to UN Women’s BiH Strategic Note (SN) Outcome 2: Women, girls, men and boys at community and individual level able to mobilize actors, resources, and capacities to create an environment for zero tolerance to violence. Finally, the work shall contribute to the global UN Women’s goal to end VAW.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE

To provide expert support to UN Women BiH in strengthening capacities of targeted stakeholders in Banja Luka on inclusive urban planning and design with focus on safety of women in public spaces. The national consultant shall work closely with EVAW Policy Specialist from New York and with the UN Women CO BiH EVAW team to a) enhance capacities of targeted stakeholders on inclusive urban planning (up to 10 participants including staff from the city administration urban planning department and other stakeholders); b) support local stakeholders in conducting women’s exploratory walks in two locations (up to 15 people); and c) develop two safety plans for two locations in Banja Luka.

OUTPUTS

The national consultant will support the work of UN Women BiH in strengthening capacities of targeted stakeholders in Banja Luka on inclusive urban planning and design with focus on safety of women in public spaces. To support this process the national consultant is expected to deliver the following results and tasks:

1. Relevant stakeholders from Banja Luka have knowledge on inclusive urban planning principles in urban development and design with focus on safety of women and girls

Develop a detailed and comprehensive workplan for the overall assignment;
Develop a capacity assessment methodology focused on assessing the level of knowledge staff from the city administration urban planning department and other stakeholders on implementing a gender responsive approach to urban planning (inclusive urban planning principles);
Conduct a capacity assessment of the targeted group for applying inclusive urban planning principles (up to 10 participants including staff from the city administration urban planning department and other stakeholders);
Provide a short synthesis report detailing the capacity assessment findings to inform the training workshop agenda on gender responsive planning;
Develop pre and post survey tool to be conducted to assess the improvement in knowledge of targeted stakeholders as a result of the training session;
Participate in the 2-day training administered by UN Women, conduct the pre and post surveys at the training session, develop a synthesis report on of survey findings and prepare the final training report (5 pages).

2. Two women’s exploratory walks in Banja Luka are conducted

Participate in a training received by EVAW Policy Specialist, UN Women on how to implement women’s exploratory walks in two locations, and familiarize with the key tools for conducting the walks
Develop an agenda and presentation for a short training for local stakeholders following the training by the EVAW Policy Specialist (up to 15 participants)
Conduct a short training with two groups of local stakeholders on how to conduct a women’s exploratory walks and provide guidance to participants in conducting the two women’s exploratory walks, integrating feedback by the EVAW Policy Specialist, UN Women in this process to ensure all relevant elements have been fulfilled for successful completion
Utilizing a template provided by the EVAW Policy Specialist, UN Women, summarize findings of the exploratory walk that will inform the development of local safety plans and which will inform contextualized guidelines developed by the UN women Policy Specialist on how to conduct women’s exploratory walks in Banja Luka.

3. Safety plans for two locations in Banja Luka are developed and validated

Develop a framework safety plan to be used as a guiding document for targeted group of stakeholders (mixed group of staff from the city administration urban planning department and other local stakeholders). The safety plans should include at least but not limited to:
Background information on the process including training sessions and safety women’s exploratory walks
Findings and recommendations from the women’s exploratory walks
An outline of the intervention for two communities with indicative budget
Possible next steps in realization of the public infrastructural intervention
Relevant stakeholders to be included in the next steps
Support the local team in the development of the safety plan for two of the intervention communities
Participate in the validation session and provide inputs to the final safety plans and reflect the inputs from the validation sessions.

Note: UN Women BIH will provide the logistical support for organization of the trainings and validation session in Banja Luka.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

Under direct supervision of the EVAW Prevention Coordinator and overall supervision of the EVAW Programme Coordinator, the national consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables within the indicative timeframe:

Deliverable

Days

Delivery date by (indicative)

Relevant stakeholders from Banja Luka have knowledge on inclusive urban planning principles in urban development and design with focus on safety of women and girls

Meeting with UN Women CO BiH and EVAW Policy Specialist from UN Women HQ

0.5

3 June

Workplan for conducting the task approved by UN Women

1

6 June

Methodology for capacity assessment approved by UN Women

1.5

10 June

Capacity assessment of the targeted group for applying inclusive urban planning principles administered

0.5

17 June

Synthesis report detailing the capacity assessment findings submitted (up to 5 pages) and approved by UN Women

2.5

24 June

Pre and post survey tool designed and revised, incorporating feedback by UN Women, and approved by UN Women

1.5

24 June

Participation in a 2-day training on inclusive urban planning, pre and post surveys at the training session administered, and training report on inclusive urban planning with key findings from the pre and post training session (5 pages) developed and approved by UN Women

4.5

30 September

Two women’s exploratory walks in Banja Luka are conducted

Agenda and presentation for a short training for two groups of local stakeholders approved by UN Women

2

1 September

A short report on training with local stakeholders, prepared approved by UN Women (up to 5 pages)

1.5

In the week 5th -9th September

Women’s exploratory walks pre-planning and implementation in two community sites, integrating feedback from EVAW Policy Specialist

3

In the week 5th -9th September

Women’s exploratory walk findings in two intervention communities synthesized in template provided by UN Women EVAW Policy Specialist, approved by UN Women

1.5

20 September

Safety plans for two locations in Banja Luka are developed and validated

Framework safety plan approved by UN Women

3

8 October

Draft two safety plans approved by UN Women

2

24 October

Participation to the validation session and finalized two safety plans incorporating validation recommendations approved by UN Women

4

30 November

Total

29

The consultancy will last up to 29 consultancy days, in the period from 1 June- 30 November 2022. The assignment will not require presence to UN Women premises in Sarajevo. However, the consultant shall plan travels to Banja Luka to participate at a two-day training on inclusive urban planning, a training on women’s exploratory walks including safety walks, and at the validation session in Banja Luka.

Reporting

Under direct supervision of EVAW Programme Coordinator the national Consultant will work closely with EVAW Prevention Coordinator and Policy Specialist from UN Women HQ.

Deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women EVAW Prevention Coordinator in English.

Workplan for conducting the task,
Methodology for capacity assessment,
A capacity assessment synthesis report,
Pre and post surveys tool,
A report from the training inclusive urban planning with key findings from the pre and post surveys,
Agenda and presentation for a short training for local stakeholders on women’s exploratory walks,
A short report on training conducted with local stakeholders on women’ exploratory walks,
Report on women’s exploratory walks with findings approved by UN Women (including information on a guidance provided to local stakeholders in conducting women’s safety walks).

Deliverables should be submitted to the UN Women EVAW Prevention Coordinator in B/C/S.

Framework safety plan,
Draft safety plans,
Final safety plans.

Competencies

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

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree in architecture, urban development, gender equality, human rights, social science or a related field. Bachelor’s degree in these fields with additional 2 years of experience will be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.

Skills and Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in gender equality, women’s rights, and/or urban planning and design including projects focused on inclusive urban planning and gender
At least 3 years of experience in managing and coordinating assignments with stakeholders working on urban development and/or women’s safety issues and/or VAWG
At least 1 year of experience in conducting trainings with different stakeholders (representatives of institutions at different level, CSOs and other local stakeholders)
Fluency in and excellent spoken and written skills in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (B/C/S)
Previous work with UN and/or other international organizations will be considered an asset.

EVALUATION OF OFFERS

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications. Candidate applications will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of applicant qualifications and financial proposal. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for a validation interview.

The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Criteria:
• Technical Evaluation – documents and interviewed based (70%)

Master’s degree in architecture, urban development, gender equality, human rights, social science or a related field. Bachelor’s degree in these fields with additional 2 years of experience will be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree- 15 points
At least 5 years of experience in gender equality, women’s rights, and/or urban planning and design including projects focused on inclusive urban planning and gender– 20 points
At least 3 years of experience in managing and coordinating assignments with stakeholders working on urban development and/or women’s safety issues and/or VAWG – 15 points
At least 1 years of experience in conducting trainings with various stakeholders – 10 points
Fluency and excellent spoken and written skills in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (B/C/S) -5
Previous work with UN and/or other international organizations will be considered an asset - 5

• Financial Evaluation - based on submitted offer (30%)

• Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F * 30

S - score received on financial evaluation.
Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round.
F - financial offer under the consideration.