The 2018 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) and the 2018 ECOSOC Resolution on gender mainstreaming also call for acceleration of UN efforts to mainstream gender and using the Scorecard.

The Scorecard is an accountability framework that promotes improved planning, coordination, programming and results for GEEW at the country level, tied to support to Member States to achieve the SDGs. The Scorecard supports UNCT’s in self-assessing and reporting on their standing with respect to a set of Performance Indicators drawn from inter-governmental mandates and based on review and analysis of UNCT processes.

This updated Scorecard draws upon a review of past UNCT experience conducted by the UN Development Group, and innovative ideas and lessons from other UN gender accountability frameworks, notably UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal, ILO’s Participatory Gender Audit, and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Gender Marker.

The Scorecard is organized around seven dimensions that address key GEEW components: planning; programming and monitoring and evaluation; partnerships; communications and advocacy; leadership and organizational culture; gender architecture and capacities; resources; and results. Each dimension includes Performance Indicators, which UNCTs need to meet or exceed.

The UN Gender Theme Group and Technical Working Group

The UNCT in South Sudan established the UN Gender Theme Group (GTG), and UN Technical Working Group (GTWG) in 2012, to strengthen the existing UNDAF implementation structure as well as support the development of the new UNDAF.  The UN Gender Theme Group works on the premise that gender as a cross-cutting issue must necessarily use a two-way approach; mainstreaming and the empowerment of women to bring about gender equality.  The GTG aims to support UN agencies to have a shared understanding of gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women; for the adoption of a coherent UN strategy in South Sudan to address gender gaps in national priorities and interventions; and to strengthen joint UN accountability for results on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The objectives of the UN Gender Theme Group are to strengthen overall UNCT performance on gender equality by mainstreaming gender into UNCT key policies, planning, programming and monitoring tools as well as into the UNDAF coordination mechanisms; support the UNCT to coordinate and share information and knowledge, among UN agencies and with national counterparts, on issues relating to gender equality; support institutional capacity building for UN agencies to mainstream gender in their  programming,  activities,  joint  programming,  as  well  as  other  strategies  for  addressing gender-based inequalities and inequities; and to undertake joint activities and monitoring to bring gender equality to the core of the South Sudan development agenda.

In order to support a gender responsive implementation of UNCF/UNDAF and ensure better accountability of UNCT towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with UN corporative policy, the South Sudan UN Country Team conducted  a Gender scorecard exercise in 2016 which was meant to  be used for UNCT’s self-assessment and for identifying gaps and corrective actions. Unfortunately, the process was not completed due to eruption of conflict in the Country. The UNCT is planning another Gender score card exercise and UNCT will lead this process to complete the scorecard process in a participatory and timely manner.

To support the UNCT in implementing the Scorecard, UNCT South Sudan, under the coordination of UN Women and the RCO, seeks to hire an international consultant with extensive experience on gender assessments.
 

The Gender Scorecard Assessment is expected to achieve the following:

• Assist the UN to assess the status of gender mainstreaming performance in the current United Nations Cooperation Framework (2019 – 2021) against minimum standards and to stimulate a constructive dialogue within the UNCT about the current status of support for gender equality and women’s empowerment especially in line with preparations for a new UNDAF in South Sudan.
• Assist the UN to assess the status of gender mainstreaming performance in the humanitarian preparation and response for the UNCF period ( 2019-2021) and make clear recommendations on  a clear gender mainstreamed response for the same period, for gender equality and women’s empowerment especially in line with preparations for a new UNDAF in South Sudan.
• Identify successes and best practices toward fostering gender equality within the UN System for both development and Humanitarian response;
• Highlight shortcomings and challenges with achieving gender equality in Development and Humanitarian response in South Sudan;
• Encourage stakeholder dialogue and deepen understanding of the value of gender equality results;
• Assess the capacity of the UN system to adequately mainstream gender in planning and programming for both Humanitarian and development response in South Sudan
• Provide a common tool and approach to support UN agencies on gender issues; and
• Outline steps/action plan to facilitate a more comprehensive mainstreaming approach among UN and partner agencies.

The Scorecard is organized around seven dimensions that address key GEEW components: planning; programming and monitoring and evaluation; partnerships; communications and advocacy; leadership and organizational culture; gender architecture and capacities; resources; and results. Each dimension includes Performance Indicators, which UNCTs need to meet or exceed.

Expected outputs and deliverables:

Based on the detailed list of tasks outlined in the scope of the work section, the IC is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• An Inception Report including Methodology and action plan for the Gender Score Card assessment.
• Tools developed and utilized for the exercise
• Report of interviews with names and designation of those interviewed
• The Gender Scorecard for South Sudan UN Cooperation Framework 2020 – 2022
• Follow up Action Plan/Matrix
• A power point presentation summarizing the process, results and lessons learned from the Gender Scorecard

Scope of work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Country Representative in South Sudan, and working closely with the Gender Technical Working Group, the international consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Gender Scorecard and Users’ Guide
• South Sudan ICF 2016 – 2018,
• South Sudan UNCF 2019-2021
• Guidelines for UN Country Teams on Preparing a UNCF/ UNDAF.
• UNCT planning and programming documents and reports
• South Sudan National Evaluation Report for Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
• South Sudan Beijing + report
• South Sudan CEDAW report
• National Gender Policy and its Strategic Plan 2013-2017
• South Sudan Development Plan 2011-2013
• South Sudan National Action plan (2015-2020) on UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and related Resolutions

Developed Tools (home based)

Conduct individual and focus group interviews (Juba based)

• Resident Coordinator
• UN Gender Thematic and Technical Working Groups
• Programme Management Team
• UN Communications Group
• Operations Management Team
• Monitoring and Evaluation Theme Group
• Focus groups with government and other counterparts:
• Head of Development and humanitarian Agencies,
• Head of Humanitarian Clusters and others relevant staff members
• Under Secretary for MGCSW (Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare) (the national women’s machinery).

• Under Secretary for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and disaster Management

• Inter-Ministerial Gender Working Group
• Civil society organizations At least 15 interviews.
• Draft Scorecard and narrative report
• Present the draft Score Card and Report at a validation meeting for the UN GTWG, PMT and UNCT
• Debrief the RC and UN Women Country Representative.
• Complete the final Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up action matrix.

Ethics & Values:

• Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organizational Awareness:

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the United Nations Country Team in South Sudan
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside the UNCT as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.
• Ability to work at ease in a multicultural setting.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
• Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.
• Excellent knowledge of written and oral communication in English.
• Computer skills: full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant software based on the assignment.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

• Creating synergies through self-control, tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of UN programming and policy development;
• Knowledge of gender issues and analytical work in international development;
• Experience in results-based management and training;
• Familiarity and previous experience in implementing gender markers;
• Strong knowledge on gender responsive planning and budgeting;
• Experience in research and compilation of information to show results desired;
• Excellent communication, writing skills, and analytical skills;
• Sensitivity, understanding of diversity, work as a team.
• Excellent knowledge of development issues and internationally agreed development goals;

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, economics or related area is required.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the area of gender and development, human rights, international development, and/or other social science fields.
• Knowledge of the UN system is desirable;
• Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards;
• Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point) is required. Proven experience in the development infographics, online surveys, presentations, organization of webinars would be an asset;
• Proven work experience work on gender issues in a fragile context.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

Application Procedure:

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
• Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references;

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down the professional fee, travel expenses, living allowance etc.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation Process:

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being 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 where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical Evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

• Criteria 1: Professional working experience in relevant fields related to international development, particularly within the UN: Weight = 20%; Maximum Points: 200;
• Criteria 2: Proven technical experience working in gender equality: Weight = 25%; Maximum Points: 250;
• Criteria 3: Demonstrated experience working in knowledge management: Weight = 15%; Maximum Points: 150;
• Criteria 4: Interview: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will invite the top three - four shortlisted candidates for interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

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

Contract Award:

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Policy Specialist, Community and Network Management and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop.

Payment Modality:

• Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
• The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hours working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - IC Contract Template

Annex 2 - IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 3 - RLA Template