Background

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a unique organization made up of national parliaments from around the world. Its objectives include building stronger, more democratic parliaments; advancing gender equality, human rights and youth empowerment in parliament and through the work of parliament; promoting parliament’s contribution to sustainable development; building peace and inter-parliamentary dialogue; and strengthening the voices of parliaments in multilateral forums so they can echo the voices of the people they represent. These objectives are pursued through the Organization’s political and programmatic work, which includes research, standard-setting, knowledge dissemination, technical cooperation and capacity-building.

Gender equality has been a priority for the Organization for 40 years, when it began tracking and promoting women’s participation in parliament. The IPU is a knowledge hub on women in politics. It provides advice and guidance to Member Parliaments based on lessons learned and research on various gender related subjects including gender-sensitive work environment and the prevention of sexual harassment in parliament.[1]

The IPU also practises what it preaches, by advancing gender equality within the Organization itself. Similarly UNDP has also endorsed the UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse involving implementation Partners the provide operational standards to UN entities

The IPU works in collaboration with UNDP Myanmar to implement a parliamentary support programme and has a team of national and international project staff based in the parliament in Nay Pyi Taw.

Scope of work

In view of the above, the IPU is seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals or institutions to undertake an assessment of the IPU Myanmar work environment, its context and working methods of the team of project staff from a gender perspective, and prevention of sexual harassment.

The IPU will recruit two consultants, one from Myanmar and one international, to undertake the assessment.

The assignment will include home-based desk review and report-writing, designing and conducting a survey, as well as preparatory meetings, interviews and a participatory workshop to be held at the IPU Myanmar team. The assignment is expected to take 10 working days and be carried out between February and March 2021.

Prospective applicants should submit an offer setting out their daily rate and a detailed timetable indicating the total number of working days that may be required to deliver all required outputs (see below).

No travel or travel allowances will be covered by the IPU for this assignment.

Deliverables (both consultants):

• Develop a work plan and specific methodology for the assessment process.
• Conduct a desk review of the IPU and UNDP’s institutional and working documents in relation with gender equality and prevention of sexual harassment (e.g. protocols, guidelines, strategy, administrative and other instructions, policies results framework, meeting / activity minutes, etc.).
• Design and implement an all-staff survey to assess their gender-related perceptions of the work environment, as well as their understanding of and ability to integrate a gender perspective, including the prevention of sexual harassment into their everyday work and activities.
• Conduct individual and confidential interviews.
• Make recommendations related to the IPU Myanmar team’s work environment and working methods from a gender perspective, including the prevention of sexual harassment.
• Conduct one workshop to present and discuss findings with national and international project staff.
• Draft and submit a report setting out your process, findings and final recommendations, including concrete follow-up action to be taken. You should plan to:
  • Draft and present a preliminary report
  • Incorporate comments received from the IPU
  • Finalize and submit a final version.

Additional deliverables - National consultant:

• Provide Myanmar context and background related to the subject of the consultancy,
• Provide interpretation and translation as and when necessary to complete the work.

Required experience and qualifications

• 8–10 years’ relevant professional experience in the field of gender equality and women’s rights and the prevention of sexual harassment
• Work experience of gender mainstreaming
• Proven experience in conducting participatory gender audits, including in international organizations
• Sound experience in conducting confidential interviews, including related to sexual harassment
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Excellent written and oral knowledge of English

Recruitment principles

Our guiding principle in selecting candidates is to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. We do not discriminate on any grounds and are committed to promoting diversity in our workforce.

Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and to achieving gender balance. We strive to provide an environment where the contribution of each individual is valued.