International Gender Consultant

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Reference number	TOR-VNM-2022-009 (please refer to this number in the application letter)
Title	International Gender consultant to support the process of amendment and supplementation of Gender Equality Law
Purpose	To provide technical assistance in the process of the amendment and supplementation of Gender Equality Law of Viet Nam
Duty Station	Home-based and visit Viet Nam to participate in the policy dialogues/meetings for the amendment and supplementation of Gender Equality Law of Viet Nam
Contract duration	From 1 July 2022 to 15 December 2023 (maximum 106 working days)
Contract Supervision	Programme Specialist
Application deadline	21 May 2021

I. BACKGROUND

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the empowerment of Women (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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates 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.

II. OBJECTIVES

The objective of the consultancy is to ensure that the upcoming amendment and supplementation of GEL is in line with international standards that Viet Nam committed on gender equality.

III. SCOPE AND SPECIFIC TASKS

Under the supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist, the international consultant will apply relevant international best practices and experience relevant to support the development, amendment, and supplementation of the Gender Equality Law in Viet Nam, through the following tasks/deliverables. For some specific tasks, the international consultant will work closely with the international expert on CEDAW and human rights treaties to provide inputs into specific reports/documents.

Task	Timeline
Task	2022	2023
Undertake a peer review of the review report on the 15-year implementation of the GEL conducted by a group of national experts and provide technical inputs to ensure that the recommendations for the amendment of the GEL are consistent with CEDAW and other international commitments of Viet Nam on gender equality. This report is being developed by the national consultant and will be available in late July or August 2022.	Q3, Q4
Based on international best practice and analysis of existing international commitments on gender equality for which Viet Nam is committed to, the consultant will: o Provide technical advice on terminology in the GEL such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, direct discrimination, indirect or adverse effect discrimination, gender-based violence, and sexual harassment and other terms that follows the CEDAW and the general recommendations of the CEDAW Committee which will be included in the GEL. o Advise on terminology and provide suggestions on indirect discrimination to ensure that all forms of discrimination are included in the law, including indirect or adverse effect discrimination; that the regulation of gender-based discrimination meets international standards; and also facilitate greater gender equality mainstreaming in gender-neutral policies and legislation. o Provide technical advice for temporary measures to address gender inequalities in all areas identified in the amended law, including sharing international experience on these temporary measures. o Advise on other technical issues on the GEL requested by the government based on discussion with UN Women.	Q2, Q3 Q3, Q4 Q3, Q4 Q2, Q3, Q4	Q2, Q4 Q1, Q2 Q1, Q2 Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4
Develop a report that analyses the consistency of the amendment and supplementation of the GEL with the international commitments that Viet Nam has made on gender equality. The report will need to be updated based on the revision of the government on the draft amended GEL law, thus, it may require the international consultant to update the report to ensure the consistency with the most updated draft version of the amended GEL. For this tasks, the international consultant will work closely with the international CEDAW expert.	Q4	Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
Participate into the informal discussions organized by UN Women with Gender Equality Department - MOLISA, Viet Nam Women’s Union and other stakeholders (CSOs) with the aim to provide information, analysis on the international experience to the proposed policy issues for amendment and supplementation of GEL. The objective of those informal meetings isto brief key stakeholders on the international standards that are relevant for the amendment of GEL in Viet Nam and support the exchange between UN Women and other key stakeholders on selected issues in amendment and supplementation of GEL
Participate into the policy workshops/meetings with key stakeholders to share international experience and recommendations that prepared by the international consultant within the scope of this consultancy. UN Women will discuss with MOLISA and DFAT to ensure the best opportunity to bring the international consultant to Viet Nam.		Q1, Q3
Develop a policy brief and advocacy recommendations targeting policymakers and development partners in Viet Nam to advocate for the amendment and supplementation of the GEL that meets the international standards to which Viet Nam is committed (not more than 10 pages). The first draft should be available by the end of 2022 and later on, it can be updated based on further discussion among the UN, Government, CSO and other key stakeholders on the amendment of GEL and the most updated version of the amended GEL.	Q3, Q4	Q1, Q3.
Other technical assistance requested by UN Women		Q2, Q3

IV. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The international consultant will work under the direct supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist. During the consultancy, the consultant will work closely with the international expert on CEDAW and human rights who will provide technical inputs for some documents/deliverables developed by the international consultant. The work of both consultants is expected of complement and strengthen each other.

The consultant will be ultimately responsible to UN Women Country Representative in Viet Nam.

V. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT AND DUTY STATION

Duration of Assignment: The tentative contractual period is from 1 July 2022 to 15 December 2023 with (maximum 108 working days).

Duty Station: Home-based and virtual participation into the technical meetings organized by UN Women Viet Nam, and in-person participation in selected policy dialogues/meetings in Viet Nam (as requested and agreed). UN Women will arrange the travelling following the UN travelling policies. Thus, the consultant will not be required to include the travelling costs into the financial proposal for the consultancy.

VI. DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

Payments for this consultancy will be based on the submission of the proposal and certification that it has been satisfactorily completed.

Deliverables	Timeline and proposed number of working days
Deliverables	2022	2023
Written inputs into the review report on the 15-year implementation of the GEL conducted by a group of national experts and provide technical inputs to ensure that the recommendations for the amendment of the GEL are consistent with CEDAW and other international commitments of Viet Nam on gender equality.	Q3, Q4 15 working days	Q1 5 working days
Written report that provides technical advice on terminology in the GEL such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, direct discrimination, indirect or adverse effect discrimination, gender-based violence, and sexual harassment and other terms that follows the CEDAW and the general recommendations of the CEDAW Committee which will be included in the GEL. Written report that advises on terminology and provide suggestions on indirect discrimination to ensure that all forms of discrimination are included in the law, including indirect or adverse effect discrimination; that the regulation of gender-based discrimination meets international standards; and also facilitate greater gender equality mainstreaming in gender-neutral policies and legislation. Written report that provides technical advice for temporary measures to address gender inequalities in all areas identified in the amended law, including sharing international experience on these temporary measures.	Q3 6 working days Q3, Q4 6 working days Q3, Q4 4 working days	Q1, Q2 3 working days Q1, Q2 2 working days Q1, Q2 6 working days
Written report on additionaladvise provided on other technical issues on the GEL as requested by the government, based on discussion with UN Women.	Q3, Q4 3 working days	Q1, Q2 7 working days
A report that analyses the consistency of the amendment and supplementation of the GEL with the international commitments that Viet Nam has made on gender equality. The report may need to be updated based on the revision of the government on the draft amended GEL law; thus, it may require the international consultant to update the report to ensure the consistency with the most updated draft version of the amended GEL. For this task, the international consultant will work closely with the international CEDAW expert.	Q4 8 working days	Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 10 working days
PPTs prepared for at least four informal discussions organized by UN Women with Gender Equality Department - MOLISA, Viet Nam Women’s Union and other stakeholders (CSOs) with the aim to provide information, analysis on the international experience to the proposed policy issues for amendment and supplementation of GEL. The objective of those informal meetings is to brief the key stakeholders on the international standards that are relevant for the amendment of GEL in Viet Nam and support the exchange between UN Women and other key stakeholders on selected issues in amendment and supplementation of GEL		Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 8 working days
Participate into the policy workshops/meetings with key stakeholders to share international experience and recommendations that prepared by the international consultant within the scope of this consultancy. UN Women will discuss with MOLISA and DFAT to ensure the best opportunity to bring the international consultant to Viet Nam.		Q1, Q3 6 working days
Develop a policy brief and advocacy recommendations targeting policymakers and development partners in Viet Nam to advocate for the amendment and supplementation of the GEL that meets the international standards to which Viet Nam is committed (not more than 10 pages). The first draft should be available by the end of 2022 and later on, it can be updated based on futher discussion among the UN, Government, CSO and other key stakeholders on the amendment of GEL and the most updated version of the amended GEL.	Q4 5 working days	Q1, Q2, Q3. 7 working days
Written report on other technical assistance to UN Women on the amendment GEL requested by UN Women Viet Nam		Q2, Q3 5 working days
TOTAL	47 working days	59 working days

Schedule of payment

Deliverables	Timeline	Payment
Deliverables
First installment	Before 30 September 2022	10% of the contract value
Draft written report that provides technical advice on terminology in the GEL such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, direct discrimination, indirect or adverse effect discrimination, gender-based violence, and sexual harassment and other terms that follows the CEDAW and the general recommendations of the CEDAW Committee which will be included in the GEL. Draft written report that advise on terminology and provide suggestions on indirect discrimination to ensure that all forms of discrimination are included in the law, including indirect or adverse effect discrimination; that the regulation of gender-based discrimination meets international standards; and also facilitate greater gender equality mainstreaming in gender-neutral policies and legislation. Draft written report that provide technical advice for temporary measures to address gender inequalities in all areas identified in the amended law, including sharing international experience on these temporary measures.
Second installment	Before 15 December 2022	30% of the contract value
Draft written inputs into the review report on the 15-year implementation of the GEL conducted by a group of national experts and provide technical inputs to ensure that the recommendations for the amendment of the GEL are consistent with CEDAW and other international commitments of Viet Nam on gender equality.
Draft written report that provides technical advice on terminology in the GEL such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, direct discrimination, indirect or adverse effect discrimination, gender-based violence, and sexual harassment and other terms that follows the CEDAW and the general recommendations of the CEDAW Committee which will be included in the GEL (revised based on the comments from MOLISA, UN Women and other stakeholders) Draft written report that advises on terminology and provide suggestions on indirect discrimination to ensure that all forms of discrimination are included in the law, including indirect or adverse effect discrimination; that the regulation of gender-based discrimination meets international standards; and also facilitate greater gender equality mainstreaming in gender-neutral policies and legislation. revised based on the comments from MOLISA, UN Women and other stakeholders) Written report that provide technical advice for temporary measures to address gender inequalities in all areas identified in the amended law, including sharing international experience on these temporary measures. revised based on the comments from MOLISA, UN Women and other stakeholders)
Draft a policy brief and advocacy recommendations targeting policymakers and development partners in Viet Nam to advocate for the amendment and supplementation of the GEL that meets the international standards to which Viet Nam is committed (not more than 10 pages). The first draft should be available by the end of 2022 and later on, it can be updated based on further discussion among the UN, Government, CSO and other key stakeholders on the amendment of GEL and the most updated version of the amended GEL.
Third installment	20% of the Before 30 March 2023	20% of the contract value
Final written inputs into the review report on the 15-year implementation of the GEL conducted by a group of national experts and provide technical inputs to ensure that the recommendations for the amendment of the GEL are consistent with CEDAW and other international commitments of Viet Nam on gender equality.
Written report on other advise on other technical issues on the GEL requested by the government based on discussion with UN Women.
Update on the written technical advice on the terminologies.
Forth installment	Before 30 June 2023	10% of the contract value
Draft report that analyses the consistency of the amendment and supplementation of the GEL with the international commitments that Viet Nam has made on gender equality. The report will be updated based on the revision of the government on the draft amended GEL law, thus it may require the international consultant to update the report to ensure the consistency with the most updated draft version of the amended GEL. For this tasks, the international consultant will work closely with the international CEDAW and human rights expert.
Final installment	Before 30 December 2023	30% of the contract value
PPTs prepared for at least four informal discussions organized by UN Women with Gender Equality Department - MOLISA, Viet Nam Women’s Union and other stakeholders (CSOs) with the aim to provide information, analysis on the international experience to the proposed policy issues for amendment and supplementation of GEL. The objective of those informal meetings are to brief the key stakeholders on the international standards that are relevant for the amendment of GEL in Viet Nam and support the exchange between UN Women and other key stakeholders on selected issues in amendment and supplementation of GE
Updated policy brief and advocacy recommendations targeting policymakers and development partners in Viet Nam to advocate for the amendment and supplementation of the GEL that meets the international standards to which Viet Nam is committed (not more than 10 pages).
Final report that analyses the consistency of the amendment and supplementation of the GEL with the international commitments that Viet Nam has made on gender equality.
PPTs prepared and used for the policy workshops/meetings with key stakeholders to share international experience and recommendations that prepared by the international consultant within the scope of this consultancy.
Written report on other technical assistance to UN Women on the amendment GEL requested by UN Women Viet Nam

VII. QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

The applicant will be evaluated based on technical capacities (70%) and financial proposal (30%). Technical evaluation will be based on the following criteria stated as below.

1	Master’s degree on Gender and Development, Sociology, Environment, Economics or other relevant field.	10 points
2	Having at least 10 years of working experience on international frameworks for gender equality and demonstrated expertise on international conventions and commitments and the global agenda on gender equality, including CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Actions and Sustainable Development Goals and other human right treaties	25 points
3	Having a minimum of 10 years working experience on technical advice for the development, amendment and supplementation of gender equality laws or similar laws, including the formulation of policy recommendations at country level.	20 points
4	Having experience in engaging with both government and other national stakeholders to strengthen legal frameworks on gender equality. Prior working experience in this area in Viet Nam will be considered an advantage.	20 points
5	Evidence of producing high-quality written reports on gender equality and women’s empowerment in English. Please refer to previous publications/report	25 points
	Total	100 points

Core Values and Competencies

In addition to aforementioned requirements and qualifications, it is important that the consultant shares the core values and core competencies of the organization.

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

VIII. APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE

Candidates are requested to send the following documents in separated attachment in one application email to procurement.vietnam@unwomen.org

Application letter explaining your interest in the consultancy and why you are the most suited candidate for this position
Updated CV, including professional reference.
Personal History Form (P11). The P11 Form can be downloaded from the following website: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs
Two previous publications/report as evidence of producing high-quality written reports on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Financial proposal specifying the total lump sum amount (breakdown of the daily professional fee in local currency and proposed number of working days). The candidate does not to include the travelling cost as UN Women will follow the EU-UN cost norms.

Deadline for Application: 21 May 2022

APPLY HERE