Ic/Ssa Consultant - Infrastructure Projects Technical Support Services

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Fiji Multi Country Office (MCO) covers 14 Pacific countries, with field offices/presence in 6 countries, and six ‘focus countries’ (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, and Samoa). Each field presence is led by a national Country Programme Coordinator with a Programme Officer in Tonga. UN Women, in partnership with Pacific Islands Governments, regional organizations, CSOs, donors and UN agencies, focuses on delivering within four interlinked programme areas:

UN Women’s Markets for Change (M4C) Project is a multi-year initiative that focuses on ensuring that marketplaces in rural and urban areas in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Given that between 60-80% of market vendors are women, with many more women reliant on market produce, the project’s goal is to ensure that marketplaces in rural and urban areas are safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory, promoting the gender, social and economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors.

M4C has four main outcome areas: the creation of representative groups in marketplaces, a focus on economic security, the strengthening of local government institutions, procedures and development approach, and the design and building of gender-responsive infrastructure. Project interventions aim to ensure that market vendors will be able to influence decision-making on market management and resource allocation, supporting the economic and social empowerment of market vendors, and the advancement of women market vendors. M4C works with 13 market sites in Fiji, 4 sites in Solomon Islands and 3 municipal and 5 ring road markets in Vanuatu.

Work required under this contract supports Outcome Four, which is the infrastructure component of the M4C Fiji Project.

Outcome Four - Physical infrastructure and operating systems are improved to make markets more sustainable, resilient to disaster risks and climate change, safer and more accessible

The Theory of Change for Outcome 4 is, “improved infrastructure and on-site services that are developed in a gender-responsive manner will contribute to improved social and economic security for women market vendors”. 

Output 4.1: Marketplaces reached by the Project are resilient to disaster risks, including climate change

Output activities include assessments of vulnerability of the markets and market vendors to climate and natural disasters and supporting local government / market management to develop disaster risk preparedness plans.

Output 4.2: Marketplace physical infrastructure promotes safety and access

Information on the Context of the Engagement

UN Women invites eligible National consultants to submit Proposals for the following scope of works.

Services of an individual with tertiary education in technical fields and or urban planning background who is expected to oversee the infrastructural projects to support market infrastructure development in line with project goals and systems in 3 markets in Fiji. All markets are in different stages of infrastructure development; some are currently being built, while others are undergoing various repairs or renovations and others in planning phase.

M4C Fiji has a project team managed by a , Country Lead.  The teams are supported by a Regional Project Manager based in the UN Women Fiji MCO office.  It is expected that the consultant will work closely with the National Project Coordinator - Fiji, Country Lead.

UN Women through its Consultant will carry out an assessment of local partners’ ability to undertake desired construction work with transparent and competitive procurement mechanisms. Where the local authorities have sufficient capacity to undertake procurement and construction of work; the Consultant from UN Women will provide Technical Support. Where the capacity of the Local Councils is not in place to undertake the design, procurement and construction process, UN Women through the Consultant will assist the Council in the contracting process of a reputable company.  The UN Women Consultant and National Project Coordinator - Fiji, Country Lead, will work closely with the Councils and the construction contractor on the infrastructure works.

Duties and Responsibilities

Infrastructure development under Outcome 4 will require particularly . UN Women, as the implementing agency, will focus particular attention on assisting council in submitting project proposals, tendering procedures, and financial oversight, working with governmental departments and local councils charged with overseeing implementation.

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women National Project Coordinator - Fiji, Country Lead , working in collaboration with the M4C Fiji team, the Consultant will perform and support the following key activities and tasks:

The duration of this assignment will be for 8 months with 45 working days capacity; however, the consultant will be paid for the actual number of days worked.  The scope of work will cover 3 markets (Vunisea, Levuka and Savusavu) in Fiji including stakeholder engagement as required, and implementation of plans, plus selected Markets for Change project market sites for assessment and data gathering.

It is noted that due to the delay from our project partners in implementing the project on the ground due to the unavailability of hardware materials and irregular shipping services to the maritime and outer islands in Fiji, this has resulted in the need to recruit for consultancy contract for 45 days to end on the 31st of August 2024.

Deliverables

The assignment should be carried out within a period of 8 months, not exceeding 45 working days, with the incumbent being responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Finalized programme and workplan.
• Timely onsite inspections.
• Submission of timely mission reports, monthly reports.
• Final report containing summary of all work completed as per the deliverables including lessons learnt.
• Invoice and evidence of # of days/outputs covered.
• Reporting templates (narrative and financial reporting) for designated markets once projects are completed.

All the deliverables should be agreed with the UN Women’s Markets for Change Programme Team provided in English hard and electronic copy. 

Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.

Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports, and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women at least within 10 business days of submission.

All the documents and materials utilized need to be returned to UN Women in electronic format.  

Any printed materials utilized to be referenced and returned.

Input

• UN Women will provide the National Consultant with necessary information on the activities and materials for a better understanding of the context and for the successful fulfilment to the above-mentioned tasks.
• The individual is expected to work remotely using her/his own computer(s) but may access the UN Women office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.
• UN Women will cover the costs of printed materials as required throughout the duration of the assignment.

Management Arrangements

• The Consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of the UN Women National Project Coordinator - Fiji, Country Lead, who will provide overall management and supervision.
• The National Project Coordinator - Fiji, Country Lead will review and approve all outputs and shall work in close coordination with the Consultant with Technical Support from UN Women Fiji MCO M4C Project Team.

Performance Evaluation

• The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangements

• Payments will be disbursed to the consultant in instalments, upon submission and approval of deliverables set forth in the section “Deliverable” above, and certification by the UN Women M4C Fiji Project Manager that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Travel

• This is a home-based consultancy.  As such, it is anticipated that no travel will be required for this assignment, unless agreed and authorized by the UN Women Fiji MCO.   

• In case authorized, all travel, accommodation costs by the individual related to this assignment only, will be covered by UN Women in line with UN Women Duty Travel Policy.

• The position is open to Fiji Nationals only.

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example 

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:   

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: 

• Reasoning, analytical and problem- solving skills
• Monitoring
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Excellent negotiation skills

Required Skills and Experience

The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:

Education and Certification:

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in architecture, structural engineering, project management, or other related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• least 7 years (with Masters’ degree) or 9 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national and/ international level in Project oversight including development issues and working experience in infrastructure development projects with government partners and private contractors.
• Extensive experience in developing and managing complex technical projects with different stakeholders and clients in manufacturing, construction or another relevant field.
• Strong project management experience with proven track record of successful management of several projects simultaneously.
• Extensive experience managing staff, contractors, and construction works.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and achieve results through collaborations.
• Must be able to operate and work in difficult environments with low capacities.
• Experience working in the UN system will be an asset in particular coordinating UN inter-agency work.
• Pacific experience in related fields essential. Prior work on M4C project is an added value.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use internet and email.
• Must be flexible and adaptive to change and computer proficient, especially in MS Office.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Relevant Pacific Island language/s (I-Taukei and/or Hindi) is an asset.

Additional Information:

UN Women Statement on Diversity Inclusion

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.  If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.  

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.  

All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check).

Evaluation

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in architecture, structural engineering, project management, or other related fields is required.   A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.
• At least 7 years (with Masters’ degree) or 9 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national and/ international level in Project oversight including development issues and working experience in infrastructure development projects with government partners and private contractors.

Technical evaluation of shortlisted candidates will be done through desk review of applications on the basis of responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR) as per table below.  

Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Evaluation Table:

The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

How to Apply / Submission of Application:

• A cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
• Personal CV or P11; P11 can be downloaded from:

• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.