Procurement Notices

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. General background information relevant to the assignment

Violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, is a serious human rights issue that negatively impacts both women and men in the workplace and in society. It also represents a major impediment to individuals wishing to carry out their daily work in a congenial environment. Therefore, addressing this problem, and working to eliminate it, is an important part of human rights protection. Saudi Arabia is committed to eliminating violence and sexual harassment of all kinds and has taken important steps in recent years to encourage women to meaningfully participate in the workforce. However, additional efforts are still needed to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SHRC and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and in line with the objectives of the latter’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), it has been agreed to hire an international consultant to review several existing Saudi laws and procedures to harmonise these with international best practices in line with human rights standards and norms.

1. The objectives of the assignment

The objective of the assignment is to support SHRC to tackle the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace in Saudi Arabia. On the basis of existing document reviews and strategic input from teams of the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development, the consultant will focus on objectives and priorities for a common approach to moving its gender agenda forward with the aim of effectively tackling the problem of sexual harassment.

1. The scope of work, which contains a detailed description of deliverables and activities

The work of the consultant will involve the following:

• Reviewing laws, policies and practices regarding sexual harassment in the workplace in Saudi Arabia
• Reviewing actions already taken by the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development as well as other partners to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, with a focus on the following:           

• Identification of local partners delivering training in this area
• Number and type of sectors
• Partners (if any)
• Success stories (if any)
• Number and type of persons trained (by gender and employee category)

• The consultant should check or assess the alignment of implementing these policy/ies and law/s before the Saudi Judicial system (for example the Labour Courts)

• The methods by which the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development and other partners are monitoring/following up on the implementation of sexual harassment in the workplace
• The training contents and methodologies which the Ministry of Human Resources and other partners are using for the training, including any ToT approaches,
• The communication materials used by the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development

Specific outputs/deliverables:

• Submit a 3-4 pages outline or a proposal of how to go about implementing the ToR, prior to starting the consultancy work.
• Review of laws, policies and practices regarding sexual harassment in the workplace in Saudi Arabia,
• Adoption of a holistic approach to deal with sexual harassment prevention in the workplace in collaboration with all partners,
• Development of step-by-step guidance regarding how to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace in collaboration with all partners,
• Development of an effective follow-up mechanism in collaboration with all partners,
• Adoption of a holistic training strategy to counter the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace in collaboration with all partners,
• Development of unified training contents/materials, a methodology and session plan in collaboration with all partners,
• Development of ToT contents/materials, a methodology and session plan in collaboration with all partners,
• Development of a list of trainers/training organisations in collaboration with all partners,
• Support of TCP in implementing 16 Days of Activism in collaboration with SHRC.

The Duration of the Assignment:

The consultant will be hired for a period of 90 days

1. The duty station and expected places of travel if any:

UNDP - KSA, Riyadh, KSA

1. Reporting requirements, frequency, format, and deadlines:

The consultant will report to TCP and SHRC. Timeline: 15 November 2022 – 15 February 2022

1. The approval process required to certify outputs prior to authorising payment, and payment milestones:

The Expert will submit a request for payment based on the following deliverables and timeline:

A certificate of payment must be verified by UNDP upon the validation of each deliverable. The consultant is advised to keep track of days worked and tasks performed during the course of her/his assignment. The purpose of such documentation is to support the payment process if deemed necessary.

1. A clear and precise description of the selection criteria, including the required degree of expertise and qualifications such as specialised knowledge, language needs and experience
   1. Qualification:

The consultant should have a university degree in social sciences, international development, law, gender studies, or another related field

1. Experience

• At least 5-8 years of professional experience in training design and implementation, development of tools on gender equality, sexual harassment, gender mainstreaming, women’s economic empowerment, etc. The consultant should provide her/his own training module on gender-related topics.
• Experience in carrying out reviews of laws and policies as well as document reviews
• A solid grasp of Saudi social and gender issues
• Excellent writing skills in both English and Arabic as well as good communication skills in English and Arabic
• Preferably experience working with UN

1. Language: 

Language proficiency in both written and oral Arabic and English.

1. Competencies:

Planning and Organising

• Inclusively develop a plan to set goals and targets for the assessment study
• Effectively and efficiently prioritise the delivery of the work to UNDP - KSA
• Adjust work priorities to take account of changing circumstances
• Organise the time and resources necessary to deliver work
• Monitor the delivery of work against the developed plan
• Work delivered in an organised and timely manner

Communication:

• Actively listens and correctly interprets messages
• Understands assignment instructions and applies them as directed
• Seeks clarity and guidance if needed
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Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity by adhering to the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN-OHCHR and SHRC
• Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional:

• Excellent writing and presentation skills in Arabic and English
• Excellent communication skills, and an ability to analyse diverse information rapidly from varied sources
• Acts as a team player, with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure

Project and Resource Management:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating evolving client needs
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and produce high quality outputs

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on results tailored to the client's needs and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and an ability to navigate complexity
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
• Competencies:

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  •            Ability to provide statistical technical advice on big data use for official statistics.

  •            Professional skills on data management/data processing.

  •            Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team and to work under pressure.

  •            Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials.

  •            Ability to work with Python/R and other statistical packages to analyze data.

  •            Good understanding and practice of capacity development.

  •            Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards.

  •            Demonstrates  professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

  •            Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

   

  J.Recommended Presentation of Offer

   

  For purposes of generating Offers whose contents are uniformly presented and to facilitate their comparative analysis, it is best to recommend the preferred contents and presentation of the Offer to be submitted, as well as the format/sequencing of their presentation.  The following documents may be requested:

   

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. A methodology is recommended for intellectual services, but maybe omitted for support services [Note: this is optional for support services]; 
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the template provided. The terms “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the Proposal. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under the Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial Proposal submitted to UNDP. 

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  K.Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

   

  Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

  Step I: Screening and desk review:

  Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

  Technical Criteria (CV review and Desk Review/Interview optional) – maximum 70 points. Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV desk review (who will score at least 49 points) will be considered for the next evaluation stage, i.e., financial evaluation.

  Applications will be first screened, and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

   

• At least 5-8 years of professional experience in training design and implementation, development of tools on gender equality, sexual harassment, gender mainstreaming, women’s economic empowerment, etc. The consultant should provide her/his own training module on gender-related topics.
• Experience in carrying out reviews of laws and policies as well as document reviews
• A solid grasp of Saudi social and gender issues
• Excellent writing skills in both English and Arabic as well as good communication skills in English and Arabic
• Preferably experience working with UN
•  

•  

• Technical Skills:

• The qualified candidate should be fully autonomous in preparing policy papers and presentations, mastering office tools and strong project management skills

  Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Weight Per Technical Competence 5 (outstanding): 96% - 100% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated an OUTSTANDING capacity for the analyzed competence. 4 (Very good): 86% - 95% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a VERY GOOD capacity for the analyzed competence. 3 (Good): 76% - 85% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a GOOD capacity for the analyzed competence. 2 (Satisfactory): 70% - 75% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a SATISFACTORY capacity for the analyzed competence. 1 (Weak): Below 70% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a WEAK capacity for the analyzed competence.   Step II: Financial Assessment: Financial Proposal – Maximum 30 points Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II) PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS   The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below: The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables. The financial Proposal should include all relevant costs (consultancy fees, all envisaged travel costs, living allowances, etc.).   UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal. Financial proposal – Maximum 30 points Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II) PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS   The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below: The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables. Financial proposal should include all relevant cost (consultancy fees, all envisaged travel costs, living allowances, etc.).

   

  Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

  The following formula will be used to evaluate the financial proposal:

  p = y (µ/z), where

  p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

  y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

  µ = price of the lowest-priced proposal

  z = price of the proposal being evaluated