Consultant to Support the Development of the National Strate

Title: National Consultant to Support the Development of the National Strategy on Persons with Disabilities (2024 to 2030) and  three Policy Papers.

Background:

UN Women (UNW), 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. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women’s triple mandate, along with its global network and deep policy and programming expertise, continues to endow the Entity with a unique capacity to: (i) support Member States to strengthen global norms and standards for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and mainstream gender perspectives in other thematic areas; (ii) promote coordination and coherence across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and women’s empowerment; and (iii) undertake operational activities to support Member States, upon their request, in translating global norms and standards into legislation, policies and strategies at country level.

UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the State of Palestine since its inception in 1997 (as UNIFEM). In line with the national priorities, the work of UN Women for the period 2023-2025 is aligned with three of the Palestine United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework’s (UNSDCF) outcomes:

• Palestinians have greater access to economic opportunities that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, including decent employment and livelihoods opportunities in an empowered private sector.
• Palestinians, including the most vulnerable, have equal access to sustainable, inclusive, gender responsive and quality social services, social protection, and affordable utilities.
• Palestinian governance institutions, processes, and mechanisms at all levels are more democratic, rights-based, inclusive, and accountable.

Its three-year Strategic Note supports the efforts to achieve measurable results in country in terms of four UN Women global Strategic Plan impacts (2022-2025): (SP Impact 1). Governance and participation in public life; (SP Impact 2). Women’s Economic Empowerment; (SP Impact 3). Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and; SP Impact 4. Women peace and security, Humanitarian & Disaster Risk Reduction.

UN Women, as part of its’ global goals and commitments towards empowering women and enhancing gender equality and women’s access to justice is exerting efforts towards supporting the furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence who face intersectional and compounded forms of Gender-Based violence (GBV), including physical, legal, psychosocial, economic, and sexual violence, which increase their marginalization and vulnerability. Deeply rooted discriminatory social norms and stereotypes reinforce the marginalization of the excluded groups within their families and the society at large. These norms and stereotypes are also reflected and translated into discriminatory laws and policies that reinforce exclusion and discrimination against them, in addition to the complete lack of responsive services to meet their needs, and the existence of non-responsive services that have not been adapted to the needs of the most marginalized, excluded and furthest left behind groups of women and girls’ victims and survivors of violence.

Leaving no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It represents the unequivocal commitment of all UN Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole.

Under its work within SHAML Programme -  Enhancing the Protection and Reintegration of Furthest Left Behind Groups of Women and Girls, UN Women will capitalize on the ongoing efforts exerted by the different actors, notably the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) ,the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and CSOs providing protection and re- integration services to the furthest left behind groups of women and girls victims and survivors of violence,  to further strengthen stakeholders’ capacities to accelerate the realization  and fulfillment of the rights of the furthest left behind groups of women and girls victims and survivors of violence. 

The furthest left behind groups of women and girls for this programme are the seven groups of women and girls who are denied access to sheltering services as per the Cabinet’s decision of 2011 on Protection Centers for Women Victims of Violence: women who have committed crimes (misdemeanors and felonies) and are executing court sentences, women with physical and mental disabilities, substance abuse cases, women accused of prostitution, women or girls who have infectious diseases, women who form a threat to other women, and girls who are below the age of 18, in addition to elderly women particularly those with mental or physical disabilities.

Within the framework of promoting and protecting the rights of the FLBGs of women and girls victims and survivors of violence,  and through full cooperation and coordination with the MoSD, and the MoWA, UN Women within SHAML Programme plans to recruit a national expert/ consultant to support the development of the National Strategy on Persons with Disabilities (2024-2030); and three policy papers on the rights of three main groups, including: girls victims and survivors of violence and in conflict with the law; women users of drugs, and elderly women with disabilities.

The objectives of the assignment:

The main objective of the assignment is to support the MoSD in developing the National Strategy on Persons with Disabilities (2024-2029); and to  support the MoWA in developing three policy papers on the rights of three groups of the FLB of women and girls victims and survivors of violence to use them for advocacy purposes.

The specific objectives of the assignment include the following points:

2. To facilitate national discussions between stakeholders and actors on the priorities, objectives, outputs, indicators and targets that should be included in the Strategy. Stakeholders and actors include persons with disabilities, particularly women, elderly and children with disabilities, CSOs, governmental partners, international organizations, UN agencies and others as relevant, under the leadership of the MoSD.
3. To develop the National Strategy on persons with disabilities (2024-2029) under the leadership of the MoSD.

To develop three policy papers under the leadership of the MoWA on the rights of three main groups, including: girls victims and survivors of violence and in conflict with the law; women users of drugs, and elderly women with disabilities.

Description of Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Special Representative in the State of Palestine, the direct supervision of UN Women Rule of Law Programme Specialist, and through full coordination with UN Women’s technical team, the MoSD and MoWA’s focal points, the selected consultant will undertake the following tasks, duties, and responsibilities:

1. Develop the inception report:

To develop a comprehensive inception report that includes the work plan, the methodology, objectives, deliverables, time frame, draft outline for the strategy, and share it with UN Women for review and approval.  As part of the methodology, the consultant has to ensure the following actions:  

• Conduct a desk review/literature review for national, regional and international references, including the previous national strategy on persons with disabilities, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, State’s and shadow reports submitted by the government and civil society to the Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities and to CEDAW Committee, locally produced data and analysis as relevant.
• Organize interviews, national discussions, and focus groups (as needed) with the MoSD, women with disabilities, and relevant stakeholders (service providers, General Union of Persons with disabilities, persons with disabilities, CSOs, governmental partners, international organizations, UN agencies and others as relevant).
• Support UN Women and the MoSD in setting up a Reference Group, comprising of MoSD key personnel, UN Women CSOs and other relevant stakeholders for the review, feedback, and validation of the report results and recommendations.
• Organize consultation sessions, including validation sessions with key partners to ensure consensus amongst stakeholders on the Strategy.

2. Develop the National Strategy on Persons with Disabilities:

• Develop a draft strategy and share it with UN Women and the MoSD for review and inputs.
• Organize consultation sessions, including validation sessions with key partners to ensure consensus amongst stakeholders on the Strategy.
• Submit a final approved Strategy that incorporates stakeholders’ feedback, in consultation with UN Women.

3. Develop three policy papers on the rights of three groups of the FLB of women and girls  victims and survivors of violence:

• Meet with UN Women and the MoWA focal points to agree on the main objectives and scopes of the policy papers.
• Meet with MoWA’s and CSOs partners focal points to collect data on the situation of the three groups.
• Develop the draft policy papers and share with UN Women and MoWA for review and approval.
• Amend the drafts in line with provided comments and submit final approved versions.

4. Reporting on the assignment:

To submit a final narrative report that includes a description of the assignment, the achievements, used methodology, lessons learned and recommendations. Annexes should include a list of interviewed people, the training related documents such as agenda, list of participants, utilized methodology and others.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: The inception report, including the workplan, methodology, objectives, targets and timeframe. Expected delivery date: 10 days from the signing of the contract.
• Deliverable 2: A draft approved national strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities; and 2 draft approved policies.  Expected delivery date: four months from the signing of the contract.

Deliverable 3: A final approved strategy; final approved three policies and a final narrative report, that includes an overall description of the assignment, the methodology, the achieved results, challenges, recommendations, and all related annexes. Expected delivery date: five months from the signing of the contract.

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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.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to lead Policy review process through consultation with stakeholders;
• Very strong background on gender;
• Experience in assessing impact of policies, strategies and measures from a gender perspective;
• Ability to manage time and meet tight deadlines;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, organizational and communication skills.

Qualifications:

Education: A Master’s degree in social science, gender, development, human rights, sociology, inclusive education, disability and inclusion, or any other related field.   

Experience:

At least 8 years of working experience in the field of people with disabilities. Specific proven experience in the field of women with disabilities is a great asset.

At least 5 previous assignments in areas related to developing studies, or strategies, or policy papers, preferably in areas related to women’s rights, and /or people with disabilities.

Previous experience with women users of drugs or  girls victims and survivors of violence or in conflict with the law is an asset.

Experience with the Ministry of Social development is a great asset. 

Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset. 

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Arabic and professional knowledge of English.

Evaluation Criteria:

This SSA modality is governed by UN Women General Terms and Conditions. UN Women will only be able to respond to applicants who meet the minimum requirements.

Candidates should clearly indicate how they meet the above-mentioned criteria in their applications.

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials:

• UN Women P11 including experience in similar assignments; the P11 form can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted;
• Provide a sample of a developed national strategy, or a policy document on persons with disabilities or any other related document.

Note: Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Please upload as one attachment of the documents as mentioned above online through this website.

Candidates should have the ability to quickly submit degree certificates, medical certification (of good health) expression of Interest (EoI).

Evaluation of Applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications mentioned above, and financial proposal. A contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 50 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation. Only candidates obtaining 30/50 in the desk review will be considered for Technical Interview.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – max. 70 points.

A Master’s degree in social science, gender, development, human rights, sociology, inclusive education, disability and inclusion, or any other related field. (max. 10 points)

At least 8 years of working experience in the field of people with disabilities. Specific experience in the field of women with disabilities is a great asset. (max.20 points)

At least 5 previous assignments in areas related to developing studies, or strategies, or policy papers, preferably in areas related to women’s rights, and /or people with disabilities etc. (max. 15 points)

Previous experience with women users of drugs, or girls victims and survivors of violence or in conflict with the law is an asset. (max. 5 points)

Experience with the UN system or/and International Organizations is an asset. (max. 5 points)

Experience with the Ministry of Social Development is a great asset. (max. 5 points)

A sample of a developed national strategy, or a policy document on persons with disabilities or any other related document (max. 10 points)

Financial Evaluation (30%) – max. 30 points.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. A suggested formula is as follows:

p = 30 (μ/z)

Using the following values:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

μ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Only long-listed candidates will be contacted.

Financial proposal. Shortlisted candidate will be requested to submit a financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount breaking down a daily professional fee, proposed number of working days and any related expenses, i.e. travel and communications expenses.