Call for Proposal: Empower Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Timor-Leste

Deadline: 25-Jul-2024

UN Women seeks to recruit a civil society organization to jointly provide support and strengthen the institutional capacities of the NAP 1325 Structure in planning and implementing the National Action Plan 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2024-2028) and promoting women’s leadership and representation in the efforts of peacebuilding and sustainable development in Timor-Leste.

Under the second-generation NAP 1325 (2024-2028), the Government of Timor-Leste is fully committed to strengthening protection and safety for women, girls and the most vulnerable groups in Timor-Leste, and promoting women’s full, meaningful and equal participation and leadership in peace and security.

UN Women has been supporting the CSOs in playing a significant role in raising public awareness and fostering a culture of peace and gender sensitivity within communities, and supporting a more inclusive and participatory approach to peacebuilding and conflict resolution, where diverse voices and perspectives are heard and considered. Their advocacy efforts can drive societal change, promoting greater accountability and transparency in the implementation of the NAP 1325. Under this project, the selected Proponent Organization will provide extensive support to the CSOs and women-led organizations involved in the NAP 1325 Structure through workshops and working group meetings, with an aim to enhance their understanding of their roles and commitments in the NAP 1325 (2024-2028), and to develop a joint workplan and advocacy plan, in alignment with the NAP 1325, to promote women’s participation in peace and security, and explore women-led and community-based innovative approaches for addressing and responding to these traditional and emerging security challenges in Timor-Leste.

UN Women has long been supporting the Government of Timor-Leste to promote full and equal participation and leadership of women in decision making. In 2023, the MNEC – Office for ASEAN Affairs and UN Women jointly re-activated the “Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum” for strengthening supportive network amongst women leaders in governance and public affairs, ambassadors and diplomats, and upscaling the outreach and advocacy for increased women’s leadership and gender equality in other areas contributing to peace and sustainable development, and post-COVID-19 recovery of the country and in the region. This contributes to the implementation of its national commitments in international and regional WPS agenda, and advocate for women’s empowerment and transformative leadership, and equal representation across sectors.

Funding Information

• The budget range for this proposal should be USD 40,000 – 45,000.

Timeframe

• From 12 August 2024 to 28 February 2025
• Duration: 7 months

Required Services/Results

• In support of these efforts, UN Women seeks to recruit a civil society organization with adequate capacity to carry out the following activities in the period from 1 August 2024 – 28 February 2025:
  • Provide support and work closely with the Ministry of Interior and the NAP 1325 Secretariat in developing training materials and organizing workshops with the Ministry of Interior and relevant line ministries, with the following primary objectives:
    • To enhance understanding of the line ministries on their roles, commitments and action plans outlined in the NAP 1325 (2024-2028), and the significance in promoting women’s participation and leadership in peace and security efforts.
    • To increase the institutional capacities in understanding gender and development context, and the relevant issues and challenges in Timor-Leste, within the framework of the NAP 1325.
    • To strengthen capacity of the line ministries, by equipping their technical and management staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their roles under the NAP 1325 Work Plan (2024-2028), and develop an implementation plan.
    • To identify and discuss traditional and emerging challenges and threats to peace and security in Timor-Leste and in the Region through interactive discussion and dialogues, and to explore gender-responsive and innovative approaches for addressing them within the framework of the NAP1325.
    • The Proponent is required to actively communicate and liaise with the Ministry of Interior and UN Women in organizing preparation and planning meetings.
  • Deliverables
    • Develop training materials, and submit the final version of training materials (including agenda, concept note, Presentation PowerPoint and training tools in English and Tetum) on the NAP 1325 with reference to the identified objectives, and following rounds of revision guided by the feedback from the Ministry of Interior and UN Women.
      • UN Women will provide technical guidance and support in jointly developing the training materials, and share existing materials and resources, and share the relevant experience.
    • Liaise with the Ministry of Interior, and organize the training as requested, and submit a report on the NAP 1325-related trainings provided to the Ministry of Interior and relevant line ministries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. In total, two rounds of Training-of-Trainers will be provided to the Ministry of Interior and the NAP 1325 Secretariat to strengthen their capacity to deliver and replicate the training in the future, as well as eight rounds of coaching training, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, will be delivered (the Ministry of Interior will host and facilitate the training with other line ministries, with assistance of the proponents’ trainers).
      • The report should include participant lists, post-training evaluation surveys completed by the training participants, notes on the questions and response during the training. The report should also include story of changes/impact story featuring at least two participants from each training.
  • Work closely with the Ministry of Interior, the NAP 1325 Secretariat and UN Women in organizing workshops and convening working group meetings with the civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in the NAP 1325 structure:
    • To enhance understanding of the CSOs on their roles, commitments and action plans outlined in the NAP 1325 (2024-2028), and the significance in promoting women’s participation and leadership in peace and security efforts.
    • To identify and discuss traditional and emerging challenges and threats to peace and security in Timor-Leste and in the Region through interactive discussion and dialogues, and to explore women-led and community-based innovative approaches for addressing and responding to these security challenges, within the framework of the NAP1325, and advocating for greater attention to ensure protection of rights and needs of Timorese women and girls.
    • To organize workshops to help the CSOs to understand the concepts of Gender-Responsive Budgeting, and strengthen their advocacy and monitoring of national WPS commitments through the review of the State Budget. (UN Women will provide GRB training session specifically.)
    • To lead the discussion and planning of the joint CSOs workplan 2025 (with planned budget allocation) on implementing and monitoring the NAP 1325 in Timor-Leste (in alignment with the four Pillars and Outputs of the NAP 1325), for example, create a joint workplan to be submitted to the NAP 1325 Secretariat, and create a joint advocacy plan for promoting WPS (including the nexus of peace and cybersecurity and climate change).
  • Deliverables
    • Develop training materials, and submit the final version of the CSO- NAP 1325 workshop materials (including agenda, concept note, Presentation PowerPoint and training tools in English and Tetum) with reference to the identified objectives. UN Women will provide technical guidance and support in developing the training materials, and share existing materials and resources, and share the relevant experience.
    • Liaise with the CSOs, and organizing the NAP 1325-related joint workshops and meetings, and submit a final report on the workshops conducted with the CSOs (at least one workshop, with at least 2 management and technical representatives from each participating CSO).
      • The report should include participant lists, post-workshop evaluation surveys completed by the training participants, notes on the questions and response during the training. The report should also include story of changes/impact story featuring at least two participants from each workshop or meeting.
    • Conduct at least one workshop with the CSOs and develop and submit a joint CSOs workplan 2025 (with planned budget allocation) on implementing and monitoring the NAP 1325 in Timor-Leste (in alignment with the four Pillars and Outputs of the NAP 1325), which include a joint advocacy plan for promoting WPS.
  • Provide support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and line ministries and UN Women, and develop training modules and organize workshops on Transformative Leadership for Gender Equality for women leaders of diverse background (and male gender champions), as a part of the leadership training programme under the “Women in Leadership and Diplomacy Forum” initiative.  Liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and line ministries to prepare with the necessary materials required for inviting the women leaders to attend the workshops.
  • This training targets women leaders across sectors, including distinguished women parliamentarians, ministers and secretariats of state, former and current ambassadors and leaders in diplomacy and peace and security, and women leaders in local governance, politics and public affairs, civil society and other areas.
  • Certificates will be awarded to participants who completed the training workshop.
  • Deliverables
    • Develop training materials, and submit the final version of Transformative Leadership for Gender Equality workshop materials (including agenda, concept note, Presentation PowerPoint, training manuals in English and Tetum) with reference to the identified objectives:
      • To strengthen capacity of the senior and emerging leaders in sectors of diplomacy and international affairs in applying gender lens and gender-inclusive and transformative leadership principles and practices to address institutional gender biases and promote commitments to gender equality and women’s rights. The participants will also be provided training on leadership, communication, conflict resolution and networking skills.
      • To increase skills and knowledge of women leaders to upscale innovative approaches to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and implement national WPS agenda tailored to the local context and peace and security landscape.
      • UN Women will provide technical guidance and support in developing the training materials, and share existing materials and resources, and share the relevant experience.
    • Liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and line ministries and UN Women and organize at least four batches of Transformative Leadership for Gender Equality Workshops for in total at least 200 participants, as a part of the leadership training programme.
      • Submit a final report on the workshops conducted, including annexes with participant lists, post-workshop evaluation surveys completed by the training participants, notes on the questions and response during the training. The report should also include story of changes/impact story featuring at least five participants from each batch of training.

Competencies

• Technical/functional competencies required: 
  • The project manager/team leader of the proponent organization should have:
    • Bachelor degree in either Law, Political Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Peace and Development, Human Rights, Community Engagement or related fields.
    • Minimum 5 years of experience in the areas of WPS, Youth, Peace and Security, Ending Gender-Based Violence, gender equality and women’s empowerment in Timor-Leste.
    • Minimum 3 years of experience in providing and organizing trainings and/or workshops on WPS, gender equality, leadership, communications, advocacy skills and capacity development, and promoting women’s participation and leadership at decision-making roles. Experience in providing training with the Transformative Leadership in Gender Equality Programme materials would be an advantage.
    • Extensive experience in working with the Government institutions to provide training and workshops on gender equality, WPS and/or Ending Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls.
    • Experience in working and networking with local women and men leaders in Timor-Leste, as well as local women’s groups at national and sub-national levels.
    • Good understanding and knowledge of Timor-Leste’s political and development context.
    • A proven commitment to delivery of results in a professional manner (able to provide records of successful projects).
    • Expertise in results-based programme management for CSOs and grassroots groups.
    • Relevant experience in partnerships with UN Women, other UN agencies, and other development actors.
  • The project team members of the proponent organization should have:
    • Bachelor degree in either Law, Political Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Peace and Development, Human Rights, Community Engagement or related fields.
    • Minimum 3 years of experience in the areas of WPS, Youth, Peace and Security, Ending Gender-Based Violence, gender equality and women’s empowerment in Timor-Leste.
    • Minimum 1 years of experience in providing and organizing trainings and/or workshops on WPS, gender equality, leadership, communications, advocacy skills and capacity development, and promoting women’s participation and leadership at decision-making roles.
    • Experience in providing training with the Transformative Leadership in Gender Equality Programme materials would be an advantage.
    • Experience in working with the Government institutions to provide training and workshops on gender equality, WPS and/or Ending Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls.
    • Good understanding and knowledge of Timor-Leste’s political and development context.
• Governance and management structures:
  • The organization should be:
    • Officially registered in Timor-Leste (in a consortium or joint proposal one organization must have this status).
    • Has internal programmatic, administrative, and financial processes in place to ensure delivery of quality, cost-effective and timely programme results.
    • Has adequate number of professional staff with adequate qualifications and experience.
    • Has a Board of Directors/managing committee or an appropriate governance structure which are politically impartial, and review key decisions affecting strategy, partnerships, programmes, finance, and procurement.
    • Has no conflict of interest between staff in the organization and UN Women.
    • Has an anti-fraud and corruption policy and consistently implements the policy.
    • Has in place policies and procedures regarding data privacy and data protection.
    • Has gender considerations reflected by proportion of women in management and Board of Directors.
    • Has the capacity to follow the UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, including reporting requirements to UN Women.
    • Has in place written and transparent financial and administrative rules and regulations.
    • Has in place a clear system for procurement and subcontracting with appropriate checks and balances.
    • Has clear documented procedures and internal control governing the payment cycle (requisition, approval, disbursement versus cash, vouchers etc.
    • Has a sustainable financial position.
• Joint applications or consortium involving organizations representing diverse stakeholders are strongly encouraged. Kindly note that submission should be made by one organization as the overall lead or coordinating entity.

For more information, visit UN Women.