Vacancy: Gender Diversity and Human Rights Consultancy

Terms of Reference – short term consultancy

Background

An introductory, interactive, didactic and self-paced e-course on gender equality is being developed by UN Women. The overall objective of this Introductory Gender Equality Course is to develop and/or strengthen knowledge, understanding and awareness of basic concepts related to gender equality and women’s empowerment for all UN staff at HQ, regional and country level, thus promoting the integration of a gender equality perspective in everyday work and with a view to bring about behavioural change.

The e-course’s target audience is all UN staff with no specific background on gender equality and at all levels (from general service staff to professionals). Therefore, the e-course does not focus on technical skills in gender analysis and mainstreaming methods and it does not target practitioners who already possess a technical background in gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment (GEWE).

The e-course comprises three mandatory modules:

1. Gender Equality Concepts to get Started

2. Gender Equality Framework

3. Promoting Gender Equality through the UN System

And three optional ones:

4. Women´s Economic Empowerment

5. Women’s Leadership and Decision-Making

6. Gender-based violence

The six core modules are under development.

In addition to the six core modules, the e-course will include some thematic and nonmandatory satellite modules. The satellite modules will be self-paced and interactive 30-minute courses, and will replicate the main learning structure of the core modules above. Although the satellite modules are stand-alone modules, learners will have to complete the mandatory modules before having access to them. All satellite modules will be offered to all UN staff as per the criteria illustrated above and will be integrated in the same online platform.

Purpose

The services of a home-based consultant are sought to develop an online satellite module on gender diversity and human rights to be offered to all interested staff across the United Nations System. The satellite module is expected to enable staff to go beyond binary thinking about gender, raise awareness of gender diversity, increase understanding of discrimination and other human rights violations on the basis of gender identity, as well as inequalities, harmful gender stereotyping and other obstacles in the realization of the human rights of gender diverse persons. The satellite module will provide an overview of possible measures to prevent, mitigate and address discrimination, inequalities and human rights violations on the basis of gender identity. The satellite module is also expected to act both as an awareness raising tool and an information/advocacy tool for UN staff. The module will be developed in English. Specifically, the consultant will be requested to:

- Develop the script of the 30-minute e-course, which will have to include, as a minimum: title, introduction, learning objectives, learning sections (specific topics), theoretical framework/content, special cases (examples, good practices, case studies, etc.), relevant statistics and data, final evaluation (in the form of a quiz) and additional resources. This structure reflects that of the core modules already developed. The module will have to cover basic concepts related to gender diversity and human rights and the main applicable global commitments.

- Support, after the validation of the script by OHCHR and UNAIDS, the smooth transposition of the script into the technical interface. Although the consultant is not expected to undertake technical work developing the  online module (software), which will be commissioned to a separate consulting firm, availability to liaise with the technical team to ensure effectiveness of the process is required. The consultant will not be credited as  author of the training course but his/her work will be acknowledged in the final product.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to base the script on online and offline content on gender diversity and human rights already developed by OHCHR, UNDP, ILO, UNAIDS and other UN Agencies. In line with the UN’s overall  gender mainstreaming strategy, the consultant is expected to integrate a gender equality perspective in all learning elements and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Technical guidance  will be provided by OHCHR and UNAIDS, through regular communication by distance (via email, videoconference, phone, etc.) and face‐to‐face when applicable. No working space shall be provided to the consultant.

For the successful delivery of this consultancy, it is expected that all sources are correctly cited according to international academic standards and that no copyrights be breached.

Specific tasks

The consultant is expected to:

- analyse and evaluate printed materials, online and offline content on gender diversity and human rights provided by OHCHR and UNAIDS and base her/his script on this material;
- if necessary, research and add information and case studies from other credible sources;
- develop a script for a 30-minute e-course on gender diversity and human rights;
- finalise the content of the course by incorporating comments and suggestions by the OHCHR and UNAIDS advisory team ;
- provide support to the technical team in charge of integrating the script into the software interface to smooth out possible elements that conflict with the platform.

Expected deliverables and timeframe

- Draft script of the online module on gender diversity and human rights, to be submitted within six weeks from the start date of the contract.
- Final script of the online module, to be submitted within four weeks of receiving the comments by the supervising agencies.
In light of the above mentioned deliverables and taking into consideration the holiday season, the consultancy is expected to be completed within 11-14 weeks from the start date the contract.

All deliverables shall be submitted in English.

An advisory team selected by OHCHR and UNAIDS will review the draft scripts and provide comments within the established timeframe.

Reporting

The consultant will report to the OHCHR Women’s Human Rights and Gender Section and the UNAIDS Division for Gender Equality and Diversity.

Expected background and experience

- Advanced degree in a field related to gender diversity and human rights, or, alternatively, to the social sciences (law, sociology, anthropology and/or development studies) complemented by relevant research or work experience on gender diversity issues.
- Specific demonstrated expertise in gender identity and diversity and human rights;
- Demonstrated experience as a trainer, researcher or advocate on issues related to gender identity and diversity. Previous experience in developing content for online trainings and familiarity with ICT‐based learning platforms will be a distinctive asset.
- Outstanding writing skills in English.
- Knowledge of the UN System and of the main programming principles (including HRBA) is an asset.

Remuneration
A total amount of 10,000 USD will be provided to the consultant for the entire assignment. No additional expenses will be reimbursed. 100% of the sum will be paid upon delivery of the revised script of the online module.

General conditions

The consultancy will be home-based. No office space will be provided.
Candidates with relevant experience in designing online learning courses are invited to submit samples of past work, which demonstrate their ability to produce training courses, along with their application.

Selection method

A selection team of three people will be set up among the implementing agencies.

As the deadline is very tight CVs will be reviewed as they are received, and only the person that is finally selected by UN Women will be contacted.\

Please send CVs to mvangelderen@ohchr.org