Consultancy - Evaluating the Level of Gender Sensitivity in Two Pacific Parliaments

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments with a membership of 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works to promote peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action. The IPU has supported over half of its members to strengthen parliament capacity to perform their functions.

UNDP has been supporting more than 60 parliaments globally to strengthen parliament as an institution of good governance, inclusive development and public accountability. In the Pacific, the UNDP Pacific Office (PO) has been supporting Pacific Parliaments to fulfil the core functions of parliaments of law-making, oversight and representation. The PO has supported Pacific Parliaments to reform the parliamentary professional service, provided trainings and activities to strengthen parliamentary library and research services, provided policy support with a focus on SDG advocacy, supported the production of Budget Briefs for members to assist with informed debates on the national budgets, increased opportunities for citizens and CSO engagement in the work of parliament, built capacities for members and staff on substantive and procedural issues as well as skills such as public speaking, dealing with the media, debating, and codes of conduct, supported the development for institutional frameworks to ensure that parliaments have sufficient power and independence to contribute to democratic development.

The IPU collaborates with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) both nationally and globally for over 40 years. In late 2025, the IPU and UNDP have entered into a cooperation agreement to support parliaments in Pacific countries. Within this programme the IPU will support two parliaments to undertake Gender sensitivity self-assessments.

Format

The proposed activity is divided into two segments:

1. An information seminar on “gender-sensitive parliaments”.

The seminar will aim at sharing basic gender concepts and collecting participants’ expectations thus ensuring there is a common understanding of the self-assessment exercise.

1. A self-assessment exercise.

   The exercise will combine a desk review of the main facts and documents related to the work

   of Parliament and group discussions around questions to be defined based on the IPU

   Gender-sensitive parliament self-assessment toolkit.[1]

Coordination and Steering Group

The self-assessment exercise will be spearheaded by the Parliament with the support from the IPU and UNDP.

A Steering Group will be set up in consultation with the Speaker, as well as with the Clerk. The Group will include equal numbers of women and men Members of Parliament and staff.

The Steering Group will meet to agree on the format of the sessions, the themes and questions to be addressed and the documentation to be made available to participants, based on the IPU self-assessment toolkit (Evaluating the gender sensitivity of parliaments). The Steering Group will also be tasked with ensuring follow-up action is undertaken after the exercise.

The IPU will support the Steering Group in the planning of the self-assessment exercise and in ensuring adequate follow-up.

Participants

A group of 5-10 persons will be formed, comprising of members of parliament and staff. The group must be gender-balanced, take into account the age and political diversity of Members of Parliament.

Methodology

Participants will conduct the assessment in plenary and/or in discussion groups and will be assisted by a team of IPU Consultants during the exercise.

Participants will analyse the following main issues:

1. The presence of women in Parliament and the positions they occupy;

2. The national legal framework on equality and the gender equality plans in Parliament;

3. Internal policies and procedures from a gender perspective;

4. Gender mainstreaming in the work of Parliament;

5. The parliamentary culture from a gender-perspective;

6. Key partnerships for gender equality: men parliamentarians and political parties.

A desk review will be conducted by Parliament prior to the activity. It will cover the national legal and policy framework on gender equality; internal policies and plans that relate to gender equality; the gender composition of parliamentary committees; and a gender break-down of leadership positions and of senior positions of staff of the National Assembly and of the National Council.

The self-assessment shall provide a baseline for Parliament’s continous assessment of progress on its level of gender sensitivity.

Time and venue

The self-assessment exercise shall take place in two Pacific parliaments in early 2026. A precise venue is to be determined in consultation with the Parliaments concerned.

Expected outcomes and follow-up

The self-assessments will lead to the preparation of a report on main findings and recommendations. To implement the recommendations.

An action plan for implementing the conclusions contained in the report will be developed and approved.

The outcome of the exercise will be shared in the plenary of parliament.

IPU will provide support to the implementation of recommendations stemming from the self-assessment exercise.

The Parliament may take the opportunity to share details of the self-assessment and its outcomes at a future IPU Assembly.

Preparation

The IPU will recruit a team of two international Consultants to undertake gender sensitive self-assesments in two pacific parliaments

Parliament will conduct background research (desk review) and prepare the documentation in consultation with the IPU Consultants. It will also provide secretarial support during the process.

Parliament will identify an adequate venue that allows for plenary and group discussions, in consultation with the IPU.

Duties and responsibilities of the consultants:

Under the overall supervision of the Manager, Technical Cooperation Programme, IPU and working with four pacific parliaments, the Consultant will perform the following functions:

• Support implementation of phases 1 and 2 of the assessment process as outlined in Annex 1.
• Provide technical assistance an advice to the Steering Committee
• Where required provide training/coaching to the Pacific Parliament MPs and staff to increase their capacity to undertake the assement
• In-person support to facilitate carrying out of the assesment through the provision of advice, support and comparative experience.

Institutional arrangements

• The Consultants will report directly to the IPU Manager, Technical Cooperation Programme.
• All reports and documents related to the assignment will be submitted to the Manager, Technical Cooperation Programme, IPU.
• The Consultant will be responsible for all technical related equipment including laptops internet etc relevant to this assignment.

Duration of the work

20 days between 15/01/2026 and 01/05/2026.

Duty Station & Travel

• Home based for preparatory work with travels to Pacific Island countries.
• For all travels undertaken through this consultancy, IPU will purchase air tickets for the consultant based on the most direct route and cost-effective route as per IPU Conditions of Travel.
• IPU will also provide Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) to the consultant for the duration of his/her stay at the respective duty station at UN approved DSA rates

Educational Qualifications (Minimum):

• University degree in social science, political science or law; specialization in gender studies an asset. An advanced degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

• At least ten years of relevant professional experience related to gender equality and women’s rights.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering trainings or capacity-building programmes for parliamentarians and/or political officials required.
• Demonstrated experience of work with parliaments and parliamentarians in different countries and regional contexts required.
• Experience with digital content development required.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Experience in facilitating self-assessments in a parliamentary environment desirable.
• Excellent drafting skills in English required.

Competencies:

• Good representational and liaison skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, communication and networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent English writing and communication skills.

Deliverables

Deliverable

Due date

1. Inception report: a report including a workplan and outlining the methodology, timeline, engagement strategy in undertaking the self-assessments and expected outcomes

Within 10 days of contract signature

1. An interim progress note to include:

   Findings and progress to date; challenges faced and how they were mitigated; opportunities availed of (if any); Recommendations

5 days following completion of support to 2 parliaments

1. Final report which outlines:

   Findings and progress; challenges faced and how they were mitigated; opportunities availed of (if any); recommendations going forward.

10 days following completion of support

Annex: phases in self-assessment

1.Planning and analysis

• The Planning and analysis phase should develop a common understanding of why a self-assessment is to be carried out, how it will be done and what the expected outcome will be. Main issues to be addressed:
• Understand the parliamentary environment. Review existing analyses of parliamentary performance and plans for the development of parliament (strategic plan, externally-supported parliamentary development programmes, etc.);
• Specify the purpose of the self-assessment. Some typical contexts for undertaking a self-assessment are: when preparing or reviewing a strategic plan for parliament; to initiate a programme of parliamentary reform; to assess the state of parliament at the beginning or end of the legislative term;
• Identify the expected outcomes of the self-assessment. Outcomes could be, for example: an analysis of strengths and weaknesses of parliament; agreed priorities for strategic planning; recommendations for internal reforms of parliamentary processes; input to a project document for modernizing and streamlining parliament’s work; a tool for donor support to the parliament that leaves parliament in the driving seat, etc;
• Sponsor. Who is the formal sponsor of the self-assessment? Establish a commitment to promote the self-assessment in the parliament and to ensure appropriate follow-up on its outcomes:
• Define the self-assessment process:
  • Participants. Many models of participation could be considered and the decision has to be taken by parliament itself. Some typical options are: mandate an existing parliamentary structure (House/Business/Modernization committee); set up an ad hoc committee to carry out the self-assessment; invite all members of parliament to participate in a self-assessment seminar. Whatever the formula, it is important that participants in the self-assessment should reflect the broadest possible array of perspectives (including members from governing and opposition parties, men and women, senior parliamentary staff).
  • Public involvement. Will actors from outside the parliament be involved in the self-assessment? Will the self-assessment lead to a public report, and in what form?
• Scope of the self-assessment. In addition to the questions set out in the IPU self-assessment toolkit, does the parliament wish to cover any other areas?
• Timeline. Over what period will the self-assessment be carried out?

2.Carry out the self-assessment

• Gather input from parliamentarians (and other participants where relevant) on the self-assessment questions;
• Analyze the responses to identify areas of consensus and disagreement;
• Discuss with participants the reasons underlying the issues that have been identified;
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of parliament, priorities for change, and possible actions to be undertaken;
• Prepare a report on the self-assessment.

3.Follow-up on the self-assessment

• Discuss the self-assessment report within the parliament. Agree on which recommendations should be followed up, and how this will be done;
• Incorporate the outcome of the self-assessment into parliamentary planning documents (strategic plan, externally-supported parliamentary development programmes, etc.).

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 19 December 2025 at 12.00 CET. Applications should be sent by e-mail to job@ipu.org with “Consultant PPEI-G-SA” in the subject line. For further details about the consultancy, please contact Norah Babic at the IPU Secretariat (nb@ipu.org)

Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Recruitment principles

Our guiding principle in selecting candidates is to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. We do not discriminate on any grounds and are committed to promoting diversity in our workforce.

Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and to achieving gender balance. We strive to provide an environment where the contribution of each individual is valued.

We ask all our personnel to apply the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments in their work.

We ask all our personnel to agree to our Code of conduct for personnel and our Fraud and corruption prevention policy available at https://www.ipu.org/about-us/working-with-ipu, and our policy to prevent and address harassment including sexual harassment at IPU Assemblies and other events, available at: https://www.ipu.org/about-ipu/structure-and-governance/statutes-and-policies-ipu.