International Facilitator/Connector to lead and facilitate the winter school training for Afghan Women students in Central Asia

Background

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) supports UN member states in implementing international standards for achieving gender equality and cooperates with governments and civil society in the development of laws, policies, programs, and services necessary to effectively implement these standards. The organization's actions are also aimed at implementing the global Development Agenda for the period up to 2030 - the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the benefit of women and girls, as well as promoting their equal participation in all aspects of life.

In 2017, the European Union began to plan a comprehensive support for public sector reform in Afghanistan. The same year, the project aimed at increasing the participation of women in economic and public life through education and empowerment. Launched in 2021, the second phase of the project represents an expansion of an ongoing Phase I cooperation programme.

Given the expertise in women’s economic empowerment, UN Women has been tasked to organize extra-curriculum activities for Afghan women-students in the form of winter/summer school trainings to enhance educational potential of Afghan women, raise their awareness about gender equality, women’s rights and leadership and provide them with practical tools, that will help them in their future professional and personal development.

Based on the preferences and suggestions of the Afghan women-students, the next winter school will be held in an offline format and designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of new cohort of Afghan women-students in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment, women’s political leadership, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, women, peace and security, enhanced employment opportunities, business planning, project management, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and personal development.

Timeframe and Location

The winter school training is expected to be held in-person according to the following schedule:

Location

Date

Almaty, Kazakhstan

11-15 January (two simultaneous schools for 50 women students)

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

17-21 January (for 25 women students)

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

6-10 February (for 25 women students)

In this regard, UN Women is seeking a qualified facilitator or a group of facilitators (maximum four) with proven expertise and experience to conduct and facilitate the winter school training for Afghan Women students in Central Asia.

*The potential facilitator or group of facilitators (maximum four) can indicate at least one school and maximum all three schools that she/he or they are willing to contribute.

Depending on the COVID-19 situation in hosting countries and state regulations, In-Person event can be switched to a Virtual Event

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of UN Women Project Manager, the International Facilitator or group of Facilitators are expected to lead and facilitate the winter school training sessions in three countries of Central Asia.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International facilitator or Group of Facilitators are expected to undertake the following specific tasks:

Phase 1: Pre-training work

Participate in a preparatory meeting with UN Women and experts before the school training to have discussion on the training agenda, facilitation processes, roles of key participants and expected results.
Based on the agreed agenda develop and propose innovative training methodology, approaches, and tools to ensure maximum participation (interactive activities, practical exercises, debating sessions, energizers, games, etc.)
Prepare content materials, presentations, as well as a pre- and post-training evaluation questionnaire

Phase 2: During the training

Work closely with experts and trainers and facilitate the five-day school training using innovative concepts and ideas.
Provide guidance and technical advice and support to participants during the training.
Gather feedback and comments from participants and conduct pre- and post – training evaluation survey to evaluate learning achievements of participants.
Any other tasks can be required – specific for training needs

Phase 3: Post training work

Facilitate internal debrief session, provide feedback and recommendations to UN Women team on ways forward to improve future planning processes.
Consolidate information from the training and prepare a final report that includes a thorough evaluation of the training.

The International Facilitator or Group of Facilitators are expected to work home based with travels to 1) Almaty, Kazakhstan; 2) Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; 3) Tashkent, Uzbekistan to facilitate in-person training sessions.

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
To learn more about UN Women values and competencies, please follow the link UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum university degree in Social Science or other relevant field
Additional training/ certificate on facilitation skills and techniques is an asset

Experience

Minimum 5 years of experience in facilitating similar trainings/workshops (each Facilitator)
Thorough knowledge of up to date interactive facilitation techniques, methods and tools and ability to apply in practice.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience working with diverse and multicultural groups.
Knowledge of the international peace and/or human rights sector will be an asset.
Prior experience with UN agencies or other similar international organizations is desirable

Languages:

Excellent communication and written skills in English are mandatory. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Technical evaluation criterion:

Criteria

Maximum

quantity points

Education

Minimum university degree in Social Science or other relevant field

50

Additional training on facilitation skills

80

Professional experience

Minimum 5 years of experience in facilitating similar trainings/workshops

5 year – 200

5-10 year – 250

<10 years - 300

Thorough knowledge of up to date interactive facilitation techniques, methods and tools and proven record in applying in practice

130

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience working with diverse and multicultural groups

50

Prior experience with UN agencies or other similar international organizations

30

Languages

Excellent communication and written skills in English

Knowledge of Russian

40

20

Maximum overall technical score (70%)

700

Only candidates with a minimum of 490 points will be eligible for financial evaluation.

Financial assessment:

The evaluation of the submitted financial proposals will be made based on the following formula:

C low / C x 300, where

C is the price of the evaluated offer; and

C low - this is the lowest price of all evaluated offers among the corresponding offers;

300 is the maximum financial point you can get.

The winner is the candidate who scores the highest score on the total score (according to the results of the technical assessment + financial assessment). The maximum possible score for the technical evaluation is 700 and 300 for the financial proposal.

Candidate selection:

The contract will be offered to the candidate with the highest score in the cumulative evaluation.