Bosnia and Herzegovina nationals: Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in Water Utilities

Background

NOTE

Application procedure:

Application with a CV must be submitted online via this website. Please click on “Apply Now” Tab and complete required fields and upload CV. Please note that website accepts only one document therefore, if you would like to upload more than one document, please make sure to combine it into a single one. Financial offer (for national consultants only in BAM) in a form of completed and Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and availability – https://tinyurl.com/Offeror-Letter – Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.docx – to be sent to e-mail [email protected] with Subject: Job ID 109125.

Financed by the Government of Switzerland, Sweden, European Union and Government of Czech Republic and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Municipal Environmental Governance (MEG) Project is a 12-year intervention in the domain of local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Project overall goal is to contribute to the democratization of local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina and more equitable, effective, and efficient public services for the citizens, particularly water supply and wastewater management services. Good local governance policy dialogue and policy changes, together with regulatory improvements in the area of water supply and wastewater management services, will provide for more effective, fair and sustainable delivery of essential local services. The intervention envisages three outcomes:

• Outcome 1: State, entity and cantonal governments set in place a more conducive policy and regulatory environment that affirms result-oriented local governance and improved water supply and wastewater management services.
• Outcome 2: Local governments (LGs) improve their performance, are more accountable, inclusive and gender-responsive, and provide high quality services, in particular in the water sector.
• Outcome 3: Citizens, including the most vulnerable, benefit from water supply and wastewater management services provided in a more efficient, accountable, and sustainable manner.
   

The Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federal Ministry of Justice of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska, both Associations of Municipalities and Cities (AMC) and Associations and networks of professionals in the water sector.

The main objective of this consultancy will be to design, develop and deliver training on gender mainstreaming, prepared specifically for MEG partner local governments (LGs) and their water utility companies (WUCs). The training will focus on appropriate approaches to increase the gender responsiveness of policies and practices within WUCs. Participants from WUCs and LGs will be introduced to the gender concept, legal and strategic framework on gender equality in BiH to bring gender perspective in WUCs’ short and medium-term activities. For this purpose, a National Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in Water Utilities (the Consultant) will be hired.

As a part of this activity, the Consultant will conduct detailed analyses of, but not limited to, the recruitment process, work environment and representation of women in management positions in WUCs. Findings of these analyses will be used for creating a baseline for the preparation of training sessions and the preparation of a set of recommendations for potential improvements in mainstreaming gender in MEG partner WUCs. In parallel, the Consultant shall assess the process of subsidizing the part of the costs of water services for vulnerable groups within MEG partner LGs and define potential measures and activities that will bring a gender perspective into this process.  

The Consultant will focus on working with the following ten (10) partner LGs and their WUCs: Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Gracanica, Gradiška, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic and Žepce. Additionally, specific limited support will be provided to these selected LGs’ representatives who are responsible for communal affairs and social protection.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Design and develop a Gender Mainstreaming Training specifically for representatives from 10 MEG partner WUCs and LGs.
2. Design and develop a questionnaire and conduct an interview of at least 5 persons within each of the 3 partner WUCs (Bihac, Prijedor and Prnjavor).
3. Define a set of potential measures and activities aimed at improving the gender perspective and equality within the process of water service subsidies for vulnerable groups, with a focus on gender perspective, in three MEG partner LGs – Prnjavor, Prijedor and Bihac.
4. Conduct desk review of the water service subsidies for vulnerable groups with a focus on gender perspective, in seven partner WUCs LGs – Bosanska, Krupa, Gracanica, Gradiška, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic and Žepce.
5. Deliver on-site training in each of the 10 selected MEG partner WUCs.
6. Prepare a final Report that will reflect on training delivery and lessons learned, including the specific chapters on recommendations for improvements regarding gender perspective and gender equality and the process of water service subsidies for vulnerable groups.

The consultancy will be provided in line with the specific needs of each LG/WUC and will include the following tasks.

Task 1 – Design and develop a Gender Mainstreaming Training specifically designed for MEG partner WUCs

After an initial meeting with the MEG Project team and after mutual understanding of the purpose of the engagement, expected results and deadlines, the Consultant will, by reviewing available documentation and visits to three MEG partner water utility companies – Prnjavor, Prijedor and Bihac, design and develop training materials specifically prepared for WUCs.

During visits, the Consultant will collect and analyse procedures for preparation and implementation of WUC internal documents related to the organization and systematization of jobs, with the focus on implementation of provisions of the Law on Gender Equality, and other gender related legal regulations, i.e. employment procedures, procedures for the selection of the candidates for the positions within the WUC, performance measurement, work conditions in WUCs, etc.

The training materials will be prepared with focus on appropriate approaches to increase the gender responsiveness programs, projects and employment in WUCs, as well as to tackle gender-sensitive issues in everyday work including, but not limited to:

• Targeting candidates/job advertisements,
• Hiring process removing barriers to female employment,
• Family-friendly policies,
• Fair wages,
• Work environment,
• Sexual harassment,
• Work facilities and amenities,
• Training, mentorship, and networking opportunities,
• Opportunities for leadership.

Furthermore, the Consultant shall develop a short questionnaire and conduct face-to-face, onsite interviews with at least five (5) employees from three WUCs, who hold different positions within the company. Interview will cover questions related to gender equality, the number of women and their representation in management positions of WUCs, working conditions within enterprises and perspectives of enterprises in terms of gender equality. The questionnaire will have to be sanctioned by the MEG Project team.

Based on the collected available data, reviewed internal documentation and results of the interviews, the Consultant will define a set of recommendations including improvements to internal documents and work procedures. Proposed set of recommendations will be used as the baseline for preparation of specifically designed Gender Mainstreaming Training for WUCs.

The participants of the training will be introduced to the gender mainstreaming concept, legal and strategic framework on gender equality in BiH, processes of gender mainstreaming of projects and programs, the status of both gender representation in the employment process (ad hoc and regular), and the importance of usage of gender-sensitive language (immediate).

Defined recommendations, training scope and design will be presented to MEG for approval. The Consultant will have full support of the MEG Project Team in this consultation process.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by end of October 2022, and the level of effort will not exceed 20 expert days.

Task 2 – Assess the process of water service subsidies for vulnerable groups with a focus on gender perspective within three MEG partner LGs

During the field visits to three MEG partner LGs (Bihac, Prijedor and Prnjavor), the Consultant will get acquainted with the current process of subsidizing the part of the costs of water services for vulnerable groups. The Consultant will review existing documentation related to this process including Public Services Agreement, Decisions on Subsidies and other relevant documentation. The Consultant shall also have a meeting with MEG coordinators and representatives of the relevant municipal departments involved in the process. Based on the field visit results, collected data and results of the interviews, as well as desk review of the water service subsidies for vulnerable groups with a focus on gender perspective from other seven partner WUCs (Bosanska, Krupa, Gracanica, Gradiška, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic and Žepce), the Consultant will prepare a short Report with defined set of recommendations, including improvements to internal documents and working procedures in order to introduce a gender perspective in the process. Where possible, the Report should also include guidelines for LGs to introduce subsidies for additional vulnerable groups, emphasizing the gender perspective in the selection process.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by end of November 2022, and the level of effort will not exceed 15 expert days.

Task 3 – Deliver onsite training in 10 MEG partner WUCs

The Consultant will deliver ten (10) onsite Gender Mainstreaming Training sessions specifically designed for managers, company management and all other persons involved in the employment process in WUCs and LG representatives responsible for the WUC operations. It is envisaged to have one-day training per each LG/WUC. MEG Project team will support the organisation of training sessions.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by end of December 2022, and the level of effort will not exceed 10 expert days.

Task 4 – Report on training delivery, report on lessons learned and final version of the “Recommendations for improvements regarding gender perspective and gender equality in the WUC” and “Recommendations for gender equality improvements of water service subsidies process for vulnerable groups”

The Consultant will prepare a final Report that will include all the relevant information on the training, feedback from participants and lessons learned during the training sessions. Training and communication with participants will allow the Consultant to get feedback on the proposed recommendations regarding gender perspective and equality improvements in WUC operations and vulnerable groups subsidies. On these bases, the Consultant will build on existing recommendations and embed lessons learned during the training process into the final version of the recommendations.  

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by mid-January 2023, and the level of effort will not exceed 5 expert days.

The entire service will be delivered in the languages of BiH peoples.

Deliverables/outputs

Competencies

Core values

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities

Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

• University degree in gender studies, sociology, economics, public administration, development studies or a related field. Master’s degree in gender studies will be considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in gender mainstreaming at any government level.
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience in training development and training delivery for government employees.
• Experience in facilitation and coaching of small groups of participants (proven by providing list of events/Training facilitated).

Languages Requirements

• Fluency in English and in languages of peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Other Requirements

• Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications, especially Excel) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation

Individual  will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight-70%

* Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
• Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;
• Personal CV/P11, including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.