National Consultant – To support Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme implementation

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.

The Fiji Multi Country Office (MCO) covers 14 Pacific countries, with field offices/presence in 6 countries, and six ‘focus countries’ (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa). Each field presence is led by a national Country Programme Coordinator with a Programme Officer in Tonga. UN Women, in partnership with Pacific Islands Governments, regional organizations, CSOs, donors and UN agencies, focuses on delivering within four interlinked programme areas:

Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership (WPEL)
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)
Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action (GPiHA) and Disaster Risk Reduction

Women’s Resilience to Disaster (WRD)

Disaster risks converge with critical socio-economic vulnerabilities, environmental degradation and climate change making the Pacific a disaster hotspot. Disasters and climate change are widening inequalities and undermining poverty reduction in the region. Threats such as COVID-19 are further exacerbating the inequalities and hardships faced by women and girls including those with disabilities. Women and girls face greater vulnerability and exposure to disasters, yet women remain largely ignored and their capacities unleveraged in conventional resilience building processes. As a result, women are generally absent in the development of resilience strategies and decision-making processes for prevention, preparedness, and recovery. This is compounded by significant gaps at the global, regional and country level in relation to the availability and use of sex, age and disability disaggregated data (SADDD), knowledge sharing on women’s resilience; an enabling environment for building women’s resilience (including capacities, leadership and funding); translation of commitments into action; coordination and private sector partnership; and a need for transformative change to tackle the underlying drivers of disproportionate risk.

UN Women’s WRD programme proposes a comprehensive package for building women’s resilience to disasters, climate change and threats (including COVID-19). The aim of the WRD Programme will be to render women’s and girls’ lives and livelihoods disaster-resilient, contributing to sustainable and secure communities, by promoting gender responsive prevention, preparedness, and recovery systems, plans and tools; and by enabling targeted action to help women and girls withstand hazards and threats, recover fully from disasters and increase their resilience to future risks. The expected end-of-programme outcomes (EOPOs) are:

Prevention, preparedness and recovery systems, plans and tools are gender-responsive through women’s leadership in DRR, women’s enhanced influence in DRR decision-making, enhanced gender capacity of DRR and climate resilience stakeholders, increased access to knowledge, guidance and expertise on gender-responsive disaster resilience, and strategic partnerships and networks for women’s agency and leadership in DRR; and

Women and girls are prepared to withstand natural hazards, climate change and COVID-19, recover from disasters and increase their resilience to future risks, through gender-responsive early warning systems, gender targeted and mainstreamed services for women’s resilience, women’s informal and formal climate and disaster resilient businesses, women’s increased access to climate and disaster resilient livelihoods and strategic partnerships for resilient livelihoods.

Objectives of the assignment

UN Women Fiji MCO is looking for a consultant to support the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sport, and Social Affairs’ (MWYSSA) develop as part of its capacity building and outreach activities under the Kiribati Women’s Resilience to Disasters workplan:

Inclusive and Gender-responsive DRR Training Manual
Facilitators guide and
Training tools (PPT, Posters, IEC)

For this purpose, the Consultant will work in close coordination with MWYSSA as the government focal point and in consultation with other key stakeholders in government, CSOs and local communities. The consultant will also seek technical inputs and guidance from government agencies including MWYSSA, and Ministries responsible for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change.

The Consultant will work with the Kiribati WRD Team, under the direct supervision of the WRD Kiribati National Programme Coordinator in consultation with WRD Programme Team at the Fiji MCO.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant is expected to undertake a desk-based review of all training documents/ modules and materials on Gender, DRR and climate change to understand existing training capacities and knowledge within MWYSSA and other key stakeholders, relevant national policies, strategies, and international commitments.

The consultant will also carry out consultations with key stakeholders in government, women-led and community-based organisations on the proposed manual outline below to ensure relevance and fit for purpose.

Training Manual: Inclusive and Gender-responsive DRR

Module 1: Concepts and principles of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Session 1: Terminologies and concepts

Session 2: Disaster risk management cycle

Session 3: Types of hazards and their risks

Session 4: Comprehensive Hazard Assessment and Risk Management

Module 2: Disaster Risk Management Governance in Kiribati

Session 1: National Disaster Risk Reduction policy and strategies

Session 2: Early Warning Systems and Awareness

Session 3: Disaster Risk Management governance structures at national and subnational level

Session 4: Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders

Module 3: Gender and Social Inclusion in DRR

Session 1: Terminologies and concepts

Session 2: Principles of gender, intersectionality, disability inclusion and gender dimensions of disaster risk

Session 3: Promoting inclusive participation and women’s leadership in community resilience building

Session 4: Inclusive, Gender-responsive Disaster Risk Reduction

Module 4: Integrating Gender and Social inclusion in Community-based DRR strategies

Session 1: Community-based disaster risk management approaches.

Session 2: Strategies for effective, inclusive and gender-responsive Community-based disaster preparedness

Session 3: Safety and Protection Committees

Session 4: How to access services for recovery

Based on inputs and feedback from stakeholders, refine and develop a training manual, facilitator’s guide and training tools for review by MWYSSA and the Kiribati National Programme Coordinator prior to finalisation.

The consultant is also required to facilitate a Training of Trainers workshop and submit reports, including post-training evaluation report.

Duration of the Assignment

The duration of this assignment will be from January 2023 to end April 2023 for up to 40 working days as per the schedule of deliverables.

Expected Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

No.

Deliverables

Approximate number of days

Deadlines

1.

Inception meeting and detailed work plan discussed and agreed with UN Women Kiribati and Ministry of Women, Youth, Sport, and Social Affairs

Up to 1 working days

End January 2023

2.

Desk-based review of all the existing training documents/ modules and materials on Gender, DRR and climate change to understand the current capacity, relevant policies, strategies and national/ international commitments.

Up to 5 working days

Early February 2023

DELIVERABLE 1-PAYMENT-20%

20%

3.

Carry out consultations with key stakeholders in Government and CSO partners

Up to 7 working days

Mid-February 2023

4.

Submit draft Training manual and Facilitator’s guide for review and feedback

Up to 10 working days

Early March 2023

DELIVERABLE 2-PAYMENT-40%

40%

5.

Submit final Training Manual, Facilitator’s Guide and Training tools

Up to 10 working days

Mid-March 2023

6.

Facilitate a Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop with MYWSSA on the Training Manual

Up to 3 working days

Early April 2023

7.

Submit workshop report and post-training evaluation report

Up to 4 working days

Mid-April 2023

Deliverable 3-FINAL PAYMENT-40%

40%

Final Report Submission and Payment: 100%

Up to 40 working days within a 4-month assignment

100%

The assignment should be carried out with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the above outputs and timelines.

Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women within one week.

All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English hard and electronic copy.

Inputs

The Consultant will be provided the necessary information, materials, and logistics, as well as office space by the MWYSSA and the UN Women Kiribati WRD team. The selected candidate is expected to have her/his laptop, while UN Women Kiribati will provide access to other equipment for the fulfillment of his/her tasks (such as printer, copier).

MYWSSA will provide the Consultant with all the existing training documents/ modules and materials on gender, DRR and climate change to understand the current capacity, relevant policies, strategies, and national/ international commitments pertaining to gender, disaster risk reduction and climate change.
MYWSSA will organise an information session for the Consultant on the existing and ongoing activities related to outreach and capacity building on gender, disaster risk reduction and climate change at national and community level.
UN Women will provide the Consultant with any other relevant background materials.
UN Women will only cover Consultant’s travel outside of Kiribati should the need arise and upon prior approval by UN Women.
The Consultant will be provided a workspace in the MWYSSA.

Management Arrangements:

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the National Programme Coordinator and in consultation with the focal point(s) at MWYSSA.

Performance evaluation

The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangements

Payments will be disbursed upon submission of deliverable reports approved by UN Women WRD National Programme Coordinator and certified by the UN Women Programme Specialist Gender and Resilience that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Travel

The position is based at the UN Women Field Office, Tarawa, Kiribati. The Consultant will be responsible for all administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment to be based in Tarawa.

No outside Kiribati travels are envisaged under the current assignment.

Travel will be pre-approved by UN Women and paid/arranged for by UN Women in accordance with the existing UN Women travel policies and procedures.

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:

Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills

Good knowledge of Results Based Management
Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations
Good analytical skills

Required Skills and Experience

Required experience and qualifications

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Economics, Public Health, Geography, Sociology, Data Science, Social Science, or other related field is required.
A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience and Skills:

At least 5 years (Masters Degree) or 7 years (Bachelors Degree) of progressively responsible experience in M&E and Learning, Project Management, disaster risk reduction, Protection, humanitarian response, climate change, or development in the Pacific.
Proven knowledge and skills in gender, disability and social inclusion in areas pertaining to disaster risk reduction and climate change (including women’s and persons with disabilities leadership in DRR, DRR policies, and systems, data and knowledge) in Kiribati or small island states context.
Minimum of 5 years of work experience in working with research, data collection and analytical reviews with specific experiences in issues of gender and social inclusion and DRR.
Demonstrated track record of working in disaster management, climate change and/or gender focused programmes in Kiribati and or Pacific region.
Knowledge of the Government machinery and civil society organizations in Kiribati.
Experience in working with an international rganization(s).
Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

Language and other skills:

Fluency in command of written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of the other UN Official working language is an asset.

Evaluation

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Economics, Public Health, Geography, Sociology, Data Science, Social Science, or other related field is required. A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
At least 5 years (Masters Degree) or 7 years (Bachelors Degree) of progressively responsible experience in M&E and Learning, Project Management, disaster risk reduction, Protection, humanitarian response, climate change, or development in the Pacific.

The short-listed individual consultants will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis scheme, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes. Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 100 points.

Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula:

where:

T

is the total technical score awarded to the evaluated proposal (only to those proposals that pass 70% of 70 points obtainable under technical evaluation);

C

is the price of the evaluated proposal;

Clow

is the lowest of all evaluated proposal prices among responsive proposals; and

X

is the maximum financial points obtainable (30 points)

Technical evaluation will be represented through desk review of applications. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).

No.

Criteria

Maximum points

Master’s degree or equivalent in Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Economics, Public Health, Geography, Sociology, Data Science, Social Science, or other related field is required.
A first-level University Degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A first-level University Degree – 10pts, Masters or equivalent – 15pts

15

2.

At least 5 years (Masters Degree) or 7 years (Bachelors Degree) of progressively responsible experience in M&E and Learning, Project Management, disaster risk reduction, Protection, humanitarian response, climate change, or development in the Pacific.

(Masters) or (Bachelors) – 7pts,

Each year over 5 (or 7) yrs – 1pts up to a max 10pts

10

3.

Proven knowledge and skills in gender, disability and social inclusion in areas pertaining to disaster risk reduction and climate change (including women’s and persons with disabilities leadership in DRR, DRR policies, and systems, data and knowledge) in Kiribati or small island states context.

10

4.

Minimum of 5 years of work experience in working with research, data collection and analytical reviews with specific experiences in issues of gender and social inclusion and DRR.

5 years – 10 pts, each year over 3 years – 5 pts, up to a max of 10 pts)

10

5.

Demonstrated track record of working in disaster management, climate change and/or gender focused programmes in Kiribati and or Pacific region.

10

6.

Knowledge of the Government machinery and civil society organizations in Kiribati.

5

7.

Experience in working with an international organisation(s).

2

8.

Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.

3

9.

Fluency in command of written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of the other UN Official working language is an asset.

Provide written samples.

5

Maximum Total Technical Scoring

70

Financial Evaluation Criteria: In this Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.

WINNING CANDIDATE

The winning candidate will be the candidate, who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).