International Consultant on Development of Gender Programme Proposal
Background:
UNDP OFFICE IN UZBEKISTAN seeks multilingual, motivated candidates with appropriate experience for the post of an International Consultant on Development of Gender Programme Proposal.
Type of assignment: Assessment of environment and development of gender programme proposal.
Location: Consultant's country of residence, with 1 visit to Uzbekistan (Tashkent and regions)
Expected starting date: October 2008
Duration: Short-term assignment (up to 2 months, incl 1 field trip)
Deadline for application: 29 September 2008
Uzbekistan has expressed clear commitment to gender equality; the country joined the Beijing Plan for Action and acceded to the CEDAW in 1995. The country has already reached one of the two tasks under MDG Goal 3 - achieving gender equality in primary education by 2005. The presence of women in Olij Majlis (Parliament) has reached 16% in 2005 with the introduction of 30% quota for women candidates in party lists. The legislative base for equality of women and men is advanced, the Constitution guarantees equal rights and opportunities for both women and men and more than 60 relevant laws and sub-laws exist. Most recent positive trends in gender the adoption of a new Law on Human Trafficking and planned consideration of law on equal rights and opportunities in the Parliament for 2009.
However, a number of issues require further attention and mobilisation. There is still limited understanding about the linkages between advancement of gender equality and the realisation of good governance, human development, and economic growth; gender equality is considered a western concept and is approached as a social issue only rather than an economic investment. The remaining low percentage of women (3,4%) in executive power requires significant interventions to promote more women's participation and empowerment. The national machinery for promoting gender equality - Women's Committee - is understaffed, under-funded and lacks relevant ministerial portfolio. Unemployment among women is higher (58,5% vs. 41,5% among men), women prevail in lower paid and traditionally considered "women's" sectors of healthcare and education and the informal sectors. There is a large proportion of women who would like to be economically active but do not have the opportunity or desire to start working because of their high level of family responsibilities. Traditional family in Uzbekistan remains predominantly patriarchal and attitudes and cultural perceptions of women's roles still center around marriage and motherhood. The situation in rural areas, where 60% of population resides, is of a particular concern - with lower education levels and empowerment opportunities girls and women are at a higher risk of poverty and rights' abuse.
Other issues of concern include, but are note limited to slow legislative reforms in a number of gender-related areas; lack of awareness among parliamentarians, law enforcement agencies, civil servants, social workers, youth and the general population on women's rights and gender equality; limited capacity of women's NGOs; and lack of reliable gender disaggregated statistics and data in a number of critical areas such as informal labor market and trafficking in human beings.
Promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment has been an integral part of UNDP policies and programmes since 1993. UNDP has been working with the Women's Committee on strengthening the capacity of the staff and deputy khokims (mayors), strengthening technical base of the Committee, following up CEDAW Committee recommendations, development and implementation of CEDAW national action plan. Additionally, UNDP contributes to raising awareness of the government officials, mass media and general population on gender issues while, at the same time, building its own staff capacity to mainstream gender though all its relevant projects. A number of publications on gender issues (theoretical textbooks, statistical bulletins, article collections, legislative analysis, manuals, etc) were published.
UN Country team led by UNDP is currently finalizing Country Analysis for Uzbekistan that will lay the foundation for developing the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Uzbekistan for 2010-2015 and consequently UNDP Country Programme for same years. There is an opportunity to capitalise on this momentum by identifying relevant gender priorities and integrating the promotion of gender equality into other development plans.
This is envisaged through the formulation of Proposal of New Gender Programme of UNDP that might focuse on the following intervention areas:
* legislative reforms;
* rural women and their economic empowerment (entrepreneurship, job creation, etc);
* women's rights issues (domestic violence, trafficking, migration);
* women's leadership and participation in decision-making;
* stereotypes, attitudes, image of women in the society;
* research and data on gender issues;
* mainstreaming gender into other sectors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The International Consultant will work under the guidance of UNDP Country Office management and in close cooperation with Good Governance Unit to fulfill the following tasks and responsibilities:
A) Background analysis - desk-work
1. Gather, review and analyse the available data
* statistics, national plans, country assessments and reports regarding gender equality issues (institutional, economic, social, legal aspects)
* previous and existing UNDP and donour agency gender and women's empowerment projects in Uzbekistan;
2. Identify and prioritize strategies, objectives and tasks for improving gender equality in Uzbekistan (focusing but not limiting on intervention areas identified in I.Background);
3. Identify and analyze relevant and applicable to Uzbekistan's context best practices from other countries;
4. Develop plan of assessment visit with relevant stakeholder meetings and workshop(s);
5. Develop draft proposal of gender programme.
B) Assessment, gathering information, and consultations - field visit to Uzbekistan(1-2 weeks)
6. Visit capital Tashkent and 1-2 regions and to gather information and meet with population and stakeholders;
7. Design and facilitate consultative workshop(s) with relevant partners and stakeholders to discuss the draft proposal and gather inputs. Suggested groups:
* state agencies (local authorities, Ministries, Women's Committee)
* NGOs and business women's associations
* UN and donor agencies' gender focal points (Gender Theme Group)
* research institutions.
C) Finalising new programme proposal - desk-work
8. Based on A and B and feedback from stakeholders, finalize programme proposal.
Competencies:
Collaboration and Partnership:
The International Consultant will work in cooperation with the following partners and stakeholders:
* UNDP Country Office and project staff
* UN and donor agencies' gender focal points (Gender Theme Group)
* Women's Committee and other relevant central and local governmental institutions;
* Women's NGOs and business associations, research institutions and think-tanks.
List of Documents for review and analysis:
The following inputs will be provided to the International Consultant for review, but not limited to:
* Existing and previous gender projects' documentation and publications;
* National Action Plan to Promote the Status of Women;
* MDG and Human Developments Reports of Uzbekistan;
* National CEDAW Reports and Committee recommendations;
* Statistical Bulletin: Gender equality in Uzbekistan: Facts and Figures (different editions);
* Country Gender Assessment of Uzbekistan, ADB 2005;
* Relevant legislations and decrees (e.g. decree of the President of Uzbekistan on "improving women's status" 1999 and "additional support to Women's Committee" 2004 and follow-up national plans of Cabinet of Ministers).
Expected Output:
The International Expert is expected to deliver the following output:
UNDP Gender Programme Proposal (suggested structure):
* Background
* Analysis of previous interventions and developments
* Identification of current key gender issues
* Programme strategy and vision for next 3-5 years
* Programme outputs
* Programme intervention recommendations
* Partnership strategy
Required Skills and Experience:
* Advanced university degree in gender and development and/or social sciences;
* Minimum 7 years of work experience on gender issues of which at least 3 are in a developing country;
* Extensive experience in research, analytical and programming work in gender equality and women's advancement in transition countries;
* Advanced knowledge and skills on gender analysis, gender mechanisms and gender mainstreaming;
* Strong knowledge and experience in applying international norms and standards on gender equality to national contexts;
* Proven track record and experience with Central Asian countries; knowledge of development processes in Uzbekistan is an asset;
* Good knowledge of CEDAW, MDGs provisions and UN system;
* Knowledge on UNDP Project development procedures and structure is an asset;
* Strong analytical, writing and presentation skills in English; knowledge of Russian is an asset;
* Skills of working on PC and using other related equipments,
* Previous experience with UN agencies on gender issues is an asset.
Application Procedure:
Applications (UN Personnel History Form and CV in English only) quoting VA 212/2008 should be sent (preferably via e-mail) to jobs [dot] uz [at] undp [dot] org, or submitted in sealed envelopes indicating VA 212/2008 to UNDP Office in Uzbekistan located at 4, T. Shevchenko St., 700029, Tashkent.
Blank UN Personal History Forms are available at the reception of the UNDP Office on the above address (paper copies) or on http://www.undp.uz (Job Opportunities Section).
The deadline for submission of applications is COB Monday 29 September 2008. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants will be contacted only if under serious consideration. This post is open for International candidates only.
UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates with disabilities, female candidates, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels by 2010.
