Background

I. Organizational context

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), based on the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works to eliminate discrimination against women and girls; for the empowerment of women, and to achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, for human rights, in humanitarian actions, and in peace and security. By placing women’s rights at the heart of its work, UN Women leads and coordinates the efforts of the United Nations System to ensure that commitments to gender equality and mainstreaming are translated into action worldwide. At the same time, it exercises substantive and coherent leadership to support the priorities and efforts of Member States, building an effective partnership with government, civil society, as well as other relevant actors.

UN Women comprehensively addresses the root causes of inequality from a perspective of transforming the systems that reproduce gender inequalities and discrimination and with a focus on peacebuilding around:

• Expand women’s voices, leadership and participation;
• Eliminate violence against women and girls;
• Strengthen the implementation of the women’s peace and security agenda;
• Increase women’s economic autonomy;
• Make gender equality priorities central to national, local and sectoral plans, budgets and statistics;
• Implement global standards, policies and benchmarks on gender equality and women’s empowerment, laying the foundation for action by governments and other stakeholders at all levels.

The Strategic Note 2023 – 2027 of the Country Office seeks to contribute to the empowerment, the full exercise of women’s rights and the reduction of gender gaps, with emphasis on those who experience greater inequality in Bolivia, in line with the “Living Well” and Depatriarchalization agendas. This document prioritizes three strategic areas: Governance and Political Participation; Economic Empowerment and Eradication of Violence, which are aligned with the priorities of the Plurinational State and its priorities in relation to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Likewise, UN Women Bolivia supports the Bolivian State in its efforts to fulfill the commitments assumed under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW); the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; Resolution No. 1325 of the United Nations Security Council on women, peace and security and subsequent derivative resolutions; the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development; and other relevant intergovernmental processes, such as General Assembly resolutions and agreed conclusions of the Commission on the Status of Women.

In this way, UN Women, through the implementation of its Strategic Note 2023-2027, contributes to the advancement of the United Nations Complementarity Framework for Living Well in Bolivia 2023-2027, prioritizing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and working for its integration with the Sustainable Development Agenda in its entirety.

II. Antecedents

UN Women works around the world to promote women’s participation and influence decision-making processes to prevent and resolve conflicts. To this end, it provides technical and legal assistance to public and social institutions that require it, in order to eliminate the gaps and obstacles that women face in their economic and political participation.

UN Women’s women, peace and security programming is guided by a number of international commitments relating to women’s rights. These include resolution 1325 and nine other supporting Security Council resolutions (specifically resolutions 1820 , 1888 , 1889 , 1960 , 2106 , 2122 , 2242 , 2467 and 2493 ). Other key points of reference include the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), specifically General Recommendation No. 30 on women in conflict prevention and in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Within this framework, UN Women supports women’s engagement in all aspects of peacebuilding in order to build more inclusive and equal societies, capable of ending gender discrimination and resolving conflicts without resorting to violence.

In 2020, the United Nations System in Bolivia implemented the project Supporting dialogue and human rights for peacebuilding in Bolivia , contributing to the holding of democratic and peaceful elections, and strengthening national efforts to strengthen the political and institutional stability of Bolivia in the face of risks of renewed conflicts, increased violence and sensitive issues of racism and discrimination.

Faced with this scenario, in June 2024 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed the United Nations Initiative for the consolidation of the culture of peace in Bolivia, of which UN Women is a part. The initiative focuses on “ contributing to national efforts to prevent the resurgence of escalations of violence linked to electoral processes, taking into account the concentrated electoral calendar that will begin in 2024. This will be done through strategies that provide positive and constructive responses to the existing social fragmentation and political polarization, favoring the exercise of human rights, the recognition of plurality and the acceptance of differences. All of this will contribute to sustaining peace in the medium term.”

Considering the mandate, expertise and experience of UN Women in action for the application of the international legal framework to achieve gender equality and the implementation of Women, Peace and Security agendas, the need is identified for the support of a professional who contributes to the implementation of UN Women’s actions within the framework of the United Nations Initiative for the consolidation of the culture of peace in Bolivia from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

III. Objective

Provide technical assistance and contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Initiative for the consolidation of a culture of peace in Bolivia, coordinated by UN Women, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

IV. Scope of responsibilities

In accordance with the guidelines of the United Nations Initiative for the consolidation of the culture of peace in Bolivia, the consultant will have the following functions, without being limited depending on the dynamics of the project:

1. Support in the implementation of the project:

• Review the documentation on the background and status of the United Nations Initiative for the consolidation of a culture of peace in Bolivia;
• Lead the execution of specific and strategic actions of the project from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Support in the preparation of budgets for the execution of activities;
• Organize regular consultations with key stakeholders and those involved in the project;

• Promote synergies and the coordination of actions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with other interested parties in order to enhance and promote the achievement of results;

• Provide technical assistance for the analysis and development of products on Women, Peace and Security.

2. Prepare reports on the execution and progress of activities:

• Collect information and contribute to the preparation of reports on indicators, as well as monitor progress in the implementation of actions and the achievement of results from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Prepare quarterly reports on the programmatic execution of project actions under the guidelines and policies of UN Women, the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and/or the Resident Coordinator’s Office;
• Prepare a final report that includes detailed sections on the technical execution, results and goals achieved, indicators, as well as lessons learned and good practices during the development of the consultancy.

3. Strengthen capacities and develop alliances with key State institutions:

• Support the development of alliances and agreements with key institutions for the elaboration and development of a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, in close coordination with UN Women;
• Support in the organization and implementation of political dialogues, national and departmental forums, meetings and/or workshops in virtual or in-person mode, including public and private actors;
• Strengthen capacities and provide technical assistance to allied institutions and project stakeholders, previously identified with UN Women.

4. Contribute to the creation of knowledge, learning and communication:

• Promote the creation of knowledge and the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned on gender integration in allied institutions and project stakeholders;
• Maintain continuous and fluid communication with UN Women and the allied institutions of the Peace Initiative in Bolivia;
• Ensure the appropriate use of the corporate image of UN Women and its partners in the Peace Initiative in Bolivia in all publications, as well as in communication and dissemination products.

V. Payment method

Payment for services will be made on a monthly basis and for a period of 334 days. The duration of the contract will depend on the assessment and evaluation by UN Women after three months. Once the contractual period has ended, UN Women is not committed to a contract renewal. When processing the last payment, the consultant’s performance evaluation must be accompanied by the certificate of payment (COP) in order to process the final payment.

The consulting contract determines the inclusion of all costs (all inclusive: invoice, health insurance, social contribution and/or others); the Organization will not assume any additional costs or benefits to the fees for services. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the consultant to have medical insurance for the period of the contract and it is recommended that it includes medical coverage for illnesses related to COVID-19. Medical coverage must be international in cases where the contract requires international missions or assignments.

If selected for this vacancy, proof of medical coverage will be required within the first two months of the contract.

The consultant must issue an invoice in the name of UN Women for each payment made.

VI. Supervision and performance evaluation

The consultancy will be managed by UN Women Bolivia. The supervision of this consultancy will be carried out by the Coordinator of the Area of ​​Participation of Women in Public and Political Life of UN Women Bolivia and the institutional focal point established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Consultant is not a United Nations official and will carry out the activities related to his/her consultancy in person from the facilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If necessary, trips will be made with prior authorization and coverage by UN Women, depending on the availability of funds.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Area of ​​Women’s Participation in Public and Political Life, and will have the support of the Area’s Administrative Assistant, who will be the point of contact for issues related to the contract and payments.

For the proper development of the consultancy, the supervisor will provide the selected person with existing documents and information available to UN Women related to the consultancy topics. It is the consultant’s responsibility to obtain primary and secondary information from other sources, if necessary.

VII. Performance indicators

• At least three progress reports on the programmatic execution of the project and actions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the guidelines and policies of UN Women, the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and/or the Office of the Resident Coordinator;
• A final report on the implementation of UN Women’s actions within the framework of the United Nations Initiative for the consolidation of a culture of peace in Bolivia, carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This report must include specific sections on the technical execution, as well as the results and goals achieved, indicators, lessons learned and good practices during the development of the consultancy.
• Quality of progress reports submitted, assessed through internal reviews and comments from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

VIII. Intellectual Rights, Patents and Other Property Rights

Title to any equipment and supplies that may be provided by UN Women to the Consultant for the performance of any obligation under this Contract shall remain with UN Women and such equipment shall be returned to UN Women upon termination of this Contract or when no longer required by the Consultant. Such equipment, upon return to UN Women, shall be in the same condition as when delivered to the Consultant, subject to normal wear and tear. The Consultant shall be responsible for compensating UN Women for damaged or defaced equipment regardless of normal wear and tear.

UN Women shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, in relation to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, documents and other materials prepared or collected by the consultant as a result of or in the course of performing this consultancy, and the consultant acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents and other materials constitute works made for hire for UN Women. However, in the event that such intellectual property or other proprietary rights consist of any intellectual property or other proprietary right of the Consultant: (i) that existed prior to the Consultant’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) that the Consultant may develop or acquire, or may have developed or acquired, independently of the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, UN Women shall not and shall not claim any ownership interest therein, and the Consultant shall grant to UN Women a perpetual license to use such intellectual property or other proprietary right solely for the purpose and requirements of this Agreement.

Competencies

IX. Competencies

Core values:

• Ethics and Professional Integrity
• Cultural sensitivity and diversity of values
• Respect for diversity

Core competencies:

• Gender awareness and sensitivity
• Responsibility
• Creative problem solving
• Effective communication
• Inclusive collaboration

Functional competencies:

• Excellent writing and communication skills in Spanish
• Experience in research, interpretation and data analysis
• Correct preparation of knowledge products
• Experience in interculturality and various realities of the Bolivian territory
• Gain in-depth knowledge of the international and national regulatory framework on: peace and security; human rights; guaranteeing women a life free of violence; women’s political participation; and prevention of harassment and political violence.
• High capacity for teamwork

Required Skills and Experience

X. Selection procedure and requirements for application:

The selection process will be carried out through a desk review , in which a formal verification is first carried out to ensure that the applications comply with the documentary evidence to be examined and the minimum requirements established for the consultancy. Then, the technical evaluation of the applications received is carried out, which will be qualified based on the technical requirements established in the following qualification table:

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a competency-based interview based on their level of knowledge of the subject area and on the specific topic of this consultancy. The relative weight of the interview, if it is decided to be carried out after the desk review, will be 50% of the total score (i.e. 50% for the table of compliance with the requirements and 50% for the interview).

XI. Documents to be submitted for application

• UN Women Personal History Form (P11), which can be found at the following link:
• http://UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form
• Personal identification (ID card or passport)
• Title certifying your academic degree

IMPORTANT NOTES.

• The call for applications will be made on the UNDP Jobs page https://www.undp.org/ . When applying, you must upload one (1) file in PDF format. A guide is attached so that interested persons can carry out this step https://www.wikihow.com/Merge-PDF-Files . UN Women assumes no responsibility and only describes one of the many ways to compress the documents related to the application. You may use the one you consider prudent.
• Applications received incomplete or after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates who qualify on the short list (at least the three with the highest score) will be contacted for an interview (if applicable).
• Consultants who have an employment relationship with public institutions may only be hired if they present proof of a work permit (license) that has not expired and a letter of no objection to the performance of the consultancy, issued by the employing institution. In the event that the candidate’s relationship is with a research institution, academic center or university, it is sufficient to present a letter of no objection issued by the employing institution.
• The selected person must have medical coverage and present proof of their coverage within two months of signing their contract.
• In case the consultancy requires travel, medical coverage, vaccines required according to the destination and travel insurance must be confirmed.
• Payment for the consultancy will be in local currency (BOB).

Diversity and inclusion

At UN Women we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women

hires, employs, trains, compensates and promotes without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin or any other status covered by law. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and the needs of the organization.

If you require any reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct that is inconsistent with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. Successful candidates will be required to adhere to UN Women policies and procedures and the standards of conduct required of UN Women personnel and will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Successful candidates may be required to provide additional information in order to complete a background check.)

People from minority groups, indigenous groups and people with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All requests will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.