EXPERT FOR PARLIAMENTARY MONITORING OF IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER-RELATED LEGISLATION

Job title: EXPERT FOR PARLIAMENTARY MONITORING OF IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER-RELATED LEGISLATION
Location :     home based
Application Deadline :    25-Jul-13
Type of Contract :    Individual Contract
Post Level :    International Consultant
Languages Required: English 
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    15-Aug-2013
Duration of Initial Contract :    August 15 - November 15, 2013
Expected Duration of Assignment :    20 working days in the given period (August 15 - November 15, 2013)

Background
Since 2000 Turkey has made a considerable progress in introducing gender sensitive provisions in national legislation that are in line with the country’s international commitments in this area. Long-term efforts of women's movement in Turkey to empower women and promote gender equality supported by various national and international partners have resulted in strengthening of the national mechanism in support of gender equality, including in the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Equal Opportunities Commission for Women and Men (in March 2009).

Building on this momentum, a Joint Program on Fostering an Enabling Environment for gender Equality in Turkey financially supported by SIDA and implemented by UNDP and UN Women has been initiated in early March 2011. The programme follows a two pronged approach: i) targeted capacity building for governmental and parliamentary institutions (such as the Parliament Equal Opportunities Commission and the legislative experts), and ii) targeted support to the rights holders such as CSOs and gender equality and women’s rights advocates, including experts and academics, for advocacy and monitoring of commitments to gender equality. The targeted capacity development of the TGNA Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is the programme component falling within the responsibility of UN Women and includes legislative review of identified set of priority legislation, tailor made capacity development interventions for the members of the EOC and legislative experts, development of knowledge sharing platforms for exchange of information for parliamentarians and professionals working in the TGNA, and development of a mechanism for overseeing the implementation of gender-related legislation by the EOC.

Though the task to oversee the implementation of gender-related legislation is not specifically included in the EOC's mandate, parliamentary oversight of the executive is a standard function of the legislature. Given the Commission's area of focus it seems worthwhile to explore the ways in which the EOC could be involved in following up on the implementation of the legislation and policies related to gender equality. This would allow it to react to the implementation challenges occurring in practice and contribute to closing the gap between formally promulgated laws and policies and their lagging implementation in practice. Ultimately, it will contribute to more justice and freedom from discrimination for the women in Turkey.

Duties and Responsibilities
In this context, UN Women plans to hire an expert who will outline a possible model/mechanism for the EOC to meaningfully engage in monitoring the implementation of legislation related to gender equality taking into account similar models already existing in other countries, current mandate of the EOC, but also the identified needs for the strengthening of the EOC mandate as outlined in the Action Plan and the Gender Review of Organizational Laws, both undertaken within the current project (please see section “Documents to be provided by UN Women” below). It is expected that an overview of relevant models of parliamentary monitoring of implementation of legislation in other countries will be analyzed, that a detailed description of the model/mechanism with justification why the proposed model was chosen over the other possible options will be given, and that a concrete road map will be provided identifying the steps that need to be taken for the EOC to engage in monitoring of the implementation of gender equality legislation. Given the ongoing efforts to strengthen the mandate of the EOC, the consultant can outline two options for the proposed model, one that can be instituted immediately without any change to the law establishing the EOC, and one that may include possible legislative changes as to the law to make the oversight of the implementation of legislation by the EOC more effective and sustainable.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

    Develop a detailed work plan, and methodology for the drafting for the model/mechanism with the identification of milestones and timelines for specific activities;
    Identify relevant models of legislation implementation monitoring by parliaments in other countries that could inspire similar efforts aiming to monitor the implementation of gender equality related legislation in Turkey by the EOC;
    Outline a model for the EOC to meaningfully engage in monitoring of gender equality legislation providing detailed description of the proposed model and justification why the one chosen is considered to be the best;
    Draft a road-map of necessary steps for the EOC to assume the above role;
    Draft synopsis and PowerPoint presentation for the consultation of the proposed model with the EOC;
    Draft final report based on the comments received by UN Women and the EOC. 

Deliverables:

    A detailed work plan with timeline and milestones;
    Draft report including comparative analysis of relevant parliamentary monitoring models existing in the world, and a model for the EOC engagement in the implementation of gender equality related legislation in Turkey;
    Synopsis and PowerPoint presentation for the consultation with the EOC.
    Final report

Documents to be provided by UN Women:

    Draft report “Legislative Review Regarding the Compatibility of Organization Laws with International Benchmark Standards on Gender Equality”;
    Draft of the Action Plan for implementation of the Capacity Development Strategy covering the strategies that need to be followed for further strengthening the coordination and cooperation among the Pillars of Gender Equality Machinery in Turkey.

It is estimated that the task will require maximum 20 working days that can be, if necessary due to summer vacations, spread over period of 3 months.

Competencies
The selected candidate should have:

    Mature judgment and initiative;
    Ability to think out-of-the-box;
    Ability to present complex issues in simple and clear manner;
    Cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability;
    Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality results on time;
    Initiative and independence.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

    Advanced degree in gender studies, sociology, law, or other relevant fields.

Experience:

    Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in areas related to the task as described in this TOR;
    Knowledge of different country practices on monitoring of legislation, especially with focus on gender equality related legislation;
    Knowledge of the current situation and progress with respect to gender equality in Turkey is an asset;
    Knowledge of the mandate of the TGNA Commission for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men is an asset;
    Full computer literacy..

Language:

    Fluency in English, knowledge of Turkish is an asset.

Application procedure:
Applications should include:

Cover letter including

    Brief information about which of your previous experiences make you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;
    Financial Proposal (Specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipated working days, travel tickets, per diems and any other possible costs)*.

P11 including past experience in similar assignments. Can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment/.
 Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...).  

Evaluation of applicants

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. 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 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Evaluation criteria:

Technical Evaluation – (70%)

    Relevant education – 10 points;
    Experience in areas related to the task as described in this TOR – 30 points;
    Knowledge of different country practices on monitoring of legislation  – 30 point.;

 Financial Evaluation (30%)

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)
Where:

    p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
    μ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
    z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
How to apply: Visit; http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=38769