DEADLINE EXTENDED - UN Women - National Consultant for the development of a UN ToC to promote gender equality in North Macedonia

Background

Working closely with the national stakeholders, the UN Country Team (UNCT) develops and implements the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework, from now on). The Cooperation Framework is a core instrument for providing a coherent, strategic direction for UN development activities by all UN entities at country level. The Cooperation Framework guides the UN system in planning and implementing UN development activities at country level, as well as in mobilizing a spectrum of development partners beyond the United Nations. The UNCT in North Macedonia is in the pre-final year of implementing the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025. A new document is in progress to be developed for the years of 2026-2030.  

The Cooperation Framework is the most important planning and implementation instrument for UN development activities within countries, translating the vision of Member States into UN actions and impacts on the ground. It heightens the ambition of the UN development system and makes it more agile and equipped to achieve the transformative results that countries now demand.

The 2030 Agenda prioritizes gender equality and women’s rights across its economic, social and environmental dimensions, along with the stand-alone SDG 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This is especially relevant for Gender Theme Groups (GTGs, as the UN System has a responsibility to address gender issues at the country level, including applying the human rights-based approach.

GTGs have played an important role in supporting gender equality concerns within the UNCT’s policy, technical and normative work. They provide technical expertise to the processes of reporting on, monitoring and implementing national policies and legislation as well as international conventions and treaties on human rights and gender equality.

GTGs have been found to be “key drivers of change related to gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment at national level.” A key function performed by GTGs is the development and dissemination of research and analysis around gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment. This critical role supports the UNCT members and leadership by providing data, intelligence analysis and in-depth understanding of the gender-related issues and challenges that shape UNCT work. GTGs can also be well-placed to support linkages between the normative and operational aspects of the UNCT’s work. Technical and analytical advice around gender concerns raised through human rights instruments provide the UNCT with the opportunity to contribute further with gender mainstreaming in all processes and interventions.  

The GTGs seek to integrate gender concerns across all other outcome areas. One of the key aspects of the GTG’s work is to provide gender mainstreaming support to UNCT efforts around implementation of the SDGs. The SDGs again use the multiple-track approach to gender mainstreaming, meaning GTGs can support implementation of SDG 5 on gender equality, as well as addressing GEWGE concerns across the other goals.

Objective of the assignment

In order to ensure gender is properly mainstreamed in the new Cooperation Framework, the UNCT will develop a specific Theory of Change that will allow a common vision and understanding on key challenges and solutions to advance gender equality in the country. This work will also include the identification of key accelerators that can ensure multiple impacts and faster achievement of results.

Under the overall supervision by the Head of UN Women Office in North Macedonia and guidance by dedicated UN Women staff, the consultant will be responsible for preparation and implementation of the assignment, which includes but is not limited to:

• Provide technical expertise for the formulation of the detailed methodology that will guide the development of the ToC
• Conduct consultations with UN staff and relevant partners
• Formulate the ToC on gender equality

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of UN Women and with support from an  HR/GTG the Consultant (IC) will perform the following tasks:

1. Develop a methodology for the development of the ToC.

The consultant will take into account existing guidelines for CF formulation as well as expected results from the Common Country Analysis (CCA) which is in progress to be developed.

2. Implement workshops with UN staff and with partners to identify problems and opportunities for gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment.

The consultant will pay special attention to key challenges identifies in the CCA formulation.

The consultant will prepare the methodology and conduct 1-2 workshops with UN focal points and partners to develop the different sections of the ToC with a clear focus on gender targeted and expected/measurable impact.

3. Development of the Theory of Change (ToC) ensuring prioritization of the main problems and opportunities for achieving gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment, including the identification of key areas where the UN can provide added value support.

This will include online and in person validation of the results.

Under this task the consultant will work closely with selected stakeholders and the GTG/HR group to develop the ToC based on the main problems and needs of the sector identified in the course of consultations. The ToC should be based on the main assumption that supporting the country to eradicate the discrimination of women and girls and accelerate the progress of gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment will contribute to the country’s development and achievement of the SDGs.

This will include the identification of

Gender equality is a goal in its own right enshrined in SDG 5 and it cuts across all 17 SDGs within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Achieving the SDGs as part of the 2030 Agenda is a high priority for countries around the world. Thus, leveraging SDG accelerators is essential for governments and other actors crafting policies and strategies to maximize development progress with limited resources. Gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment (GEWE) has been proven to be such an accelerator.

1. Expected Deliverables and tentative timeframe

Outputs	Timeframe	Installments
Deliverable 1. Methodology and gathering of information Methodology for the development of the ToC developed and agreed with UN Women and the GTG/HR group Desk study analysis of all relevant materials	15 October 2024	-
Deliverable 2. Development of the ToC Consultations with UN Agencies and partners to develop Problem/Solution Tree	Nov 30 2024	40%
Deliverable 3. Drafting of the ToC Report First draft report for UN Women and HR/GTG to provide inputs Final report with inputs from UN Women and HR/GTG addressed	15 January 2025	60%

Competencies

Proven analytical and drafting skills.

Experience with UN system

Required Skills and Experience

Education:	Master’s degree in political science, sociology, law, gender studies, human rights, or a related field.
Experience:	Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the field of gender equality with focus on analytical work in the related fields; Minimum of 4 years working/professional evidenced experience in results - based management and theory of change development; Extensive experience of conducting consultations (minimum 3 years);
Language Requirements	Fluent written and oral (technical level) of English and Macedonian languages
Competencies	Proven analytical and drafting skills. Experience with UN system

UN North Macedonia is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the country, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Relevant documentation for the assignment

• Methodological guidance on the Theory of Change development

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