Background

Working closely with the national stakeholders, the UN Country Team (UNCdevelops and implements the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework, from now o. 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 prefinal year of implementing the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021A new document is in progress to be developed for the years of 2026

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 standalone 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 rightsbased 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 indepth understanding of the genderrelated issues and challenges that shape UNCT work. GTGs can also be wellplaced 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 multipletrack 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 (Iwill perform the following tasks:

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 (CCwhich is in progress to be developed.

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 12 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.

Development of the Theory of Change (Toensuring 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 SDG accelerators.

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 (SDG.

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 (GEWhas been proven to be such an accelerator.

1. Expected Deliverables and tentative timeframe

Competencies

Proven analytical and drafting skills.

Experience with UN system

Required Skills and Experience

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 noncitizens 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

https://unsdg.un.org/resources/theorychangeundafcompanionguidance

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