Call for Proposals: Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations Assessment (Moldova)

Deadline: 01-Sep-26

The UN Women Moldova Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) Assessment Project is seeking a national non-profit organization to assess barriers preventing women from participating meaningfully in UN peacekeeping missions. The selected organization will conduct research within Moldova’s National Army, analyze findings, and develop evidence-based recommendations, with funding of USD 90,000 to USD 110,000 for the project.

What Is the MOWIP Assessment Project?

The Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) Assessment is designed to identify institutional, structural, and practical barriers affecting women’s participation in international peace operations.

In Moldova, the assessment will focus on the National Army of the Republic of Moldova and examine factors that influence women’s recruitment, deployment, retention, career progression, and participation in UN peace operations.

The project aims to:

• Identify barriers limiting women’s participation in UN peacekeeping.
• Assess opportunities for increasing women’s meaningful participation.
• Collect quantitative and qualitative evidence from National Army personnel.
• Develop practical recommendations for institutional change.
• Strengthen gender-responsive policies and practices.
• Support greater participation of uniformed women in peace operations.

Why Does the Assessment Matter?

Moldova’s security and defence institutions remain predominantly male-dominated, with women underrepresented in leadership and peacekeeping roles.

Although Moldova has introduced legislative reforms and incorporated gender-responsive approaches into national strategies, barriers can continue to affect women’s access to opportunities within the security sector.

A MOWIP assessment provides a structured way to identify these barriers using standardized research tools and evidence.

The findings can help stakeholders understand:

• Where gender-based barriers exist.
• How institutional practices affect women’s participation.
• What prevents women from entering or advancing in peace operations.
• Which policies or procedures could be improved.
• What practical measures could increase women’s participation.

What Will the Selected Organization Do?

The selected organization will act as the Responsible Partner (RP) and lead implementation of the MOWIP assessment.

Its responsibilities will include:

• Localizing and piloting MOWIP research tools.
• Recruiting and training enumerators.
• Conducting data collection.
• Carrying out qualitative and quantitative research.
• Analyzing the collected data.
• Preparing the assessment report.
• Developing evidence-based recommendations.
• Organizing validation workshops.
• Preparing a final report.
• Producing a communication brief in English and Romanian.
• Maintaining research ethics and confidentiality throughout the process.

The Responsible Partner will work with the Cornell University Gender and Security Sector Lab (GSS Lab) for technical support, particularly in survey data analysis.

The organization will also have access to MOWIP documentation and support from the DCAF Helpdesk.

MOWIP Research Methodology

The assessment will use three principal data collection tools.

Fact-Finding Form

The Fact-Finding Form (FFF) contains approximately 200 questions.

It is designed to gather institutional and organizational information relevant to women’s participation in peace operations.

Key Decision-Maker Interviews

The research will include up to 30 Key Decision-Maker Interviews (KDMIs).

These interviews will provide qualitative information from individuals involved in decision-making processes affecting women’s participation and deployment.

National Army Staff Survey

The project will conduct a structured survey involving up to 380 National Army staff.

The assessment requires gender parity among survey respondents where feasible, allowing researchers to compare experiences and perceptions across genders.

Research Process

The project will follow a structured research and validation process.

Phase 1: Inception and Localization

The Responsible Partner will review and adapt the MOWIP research tools to the Moldovan context.

The tools will then be piloted to identify potential issues before full implementation.

Phase 2: Enumerator Training

Enumerators will be trained in:

• Research methodology.
• Data collection procedures.
• Ethical research practices.
• Confidentiality.
• Appropriate engagement with participants.
• Use of the MOWIP tools.

Up to 15 enumerators may be involved.

Phase 3: Data Collection

The organization will collect information through:

• The Fact-Finding Form.
• Key Decision-Maker Interviews.
• Structured surveys of National Army staff.

The research team must ensure that collected information is handled securely and confidentially.

Phase 4: Data Analysis

Qualitative and quantitative information will be analyzed using the MOWIP methodology.

The Cornell University GSS Lab will provide technical assistance, particularly for survey data analysis.

Phase 5: Report Development

The research team will prepare a draft assessment report presenting:

• Key findings.
• Identified barriers.
• Opportunities for change.
• Evidence supporting the findings.
• Recommendations for improving women’s participation.

Phase 6: Validation

The findings and recommendations will be reviewed through validation workshops involving relevant stakeholders.

Feedback from the validation process will inform the final assessment.

Phase 7: Final Reporting and Communication

The selected organization will produce:

• A final MOWIP assessment report.
• A communication brief.
• Materials in both English and Romanian.

Who Is Eligible?

The opportunity is intended for national non-profit organizations in Moldova with strong research capabilities.

Applicants must:

• Be officially registered as a national non-profit organization.
• Have at least five years of experience conducting research related to gender equality, women’s participation, and leadership in Moldova.
• Demonstrate technical competence in qualitative research.
• Demonstrate technical competence in quantitative research.
• Have the organizational capacity to manage a large-scale assessment.
• Maintain independence from the security institution being assessed.

Experience in the security sector is an advantage.

Previous cooperation with UN agencies or international organizations is also considered an advantage.

Required Project Team

The organization must establish a suitably qualified project team.

The core team should include:

• Team Leader
• Lead Researcher
• Finance/Admin Officer
• Up to 15 enumerators

The team should maintain gender balance and demonstrate proficiency in English and Romanian.

The Team Leader and Lead Researcher should have sufficient experience to manage a complex mixed-methods research assignment.

Funding Available

The project has an estimated funding range of:

USD 90,000–USD 110,000

Funding will be disbursed in Moldovan Lei using the UN Operational Exchange Rate applicable on the date the proposal is submitted.

The budget should cover the full implementation of the assessment.

Eligible budget areas include:

• Personnel.
• Research equipment.
• At least 15 tablets or laptops for enumerators.
• Enumerator training.
• Data collection.
• Data analysis.
• Translation.
• Report preparation.
• Workshops.
• Events.
• Logistics.
• Other approved project costs.

Applicants should develop a detailed and realistic budget that corresponds directly to the proposed methodology and workplan.

Project Timeline

The assignment is expected to begin in November 2026 and conclude by October 2027.

The implementation period will cover approximately 12 months.

Payments and deliverables will be linked to major project milestones, including:

1. Inception.
2. Research tool localization and preparation.
3. Data collection.
4. Draft assessment report.
5. Validation of findings.
6. Final assessment report.
7. Final communication materials.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations should prepare their proposal around the required methodology, team structure, workplan, and budget.

Step 1: Confirm Organizational Eligibility

Verify that your organization:

• Is officially registered in Moldova.
• Is a national non-profit organization.
• Has at least five years of relevant research experience.
• Has experience in gender equality, women’s participation, or leadership research.
• Has qualitative and quantitative research capacity.

Step 2: Develop the Research Approach

Explain how the organization will implement the MOWIP methodology.

The proposal should address:

• Localization of research tools.
• Pilot testing.
• Enumerator recruitment.
• Training.
• Data collection.
• Data management.
• Qualitative research.
• Quantitative research.
• Data analysis.
• Validation.
• Final reporting.

Step 3: Build the Project Team

Identify the Team Leader, Lead Researcher, Finance/Admin Officer, and enumerators.

Demonstrate the team’s:

• Relevant qualifications.
• Research experience.
• Gender expertise.
• Security-sector knowledge where applicable.
• English and Romanian language capabilities.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a detailed budget covering the project’s operational requirements.

Ensure that the budget accounts for equipment, including the requirement for at least 15 tablets or laptops for enumerators, as well as personnel, training, travel, translation, workshops, reporting, and logistics.

Step 5: Demonstrate Ethical Independence

Explain how the organization will:

• Protect participant confidentiality.
• Safeguard research data.
• Maintain research independence.
• Prevent conflicts of interest.
• Apply appropriate ethical standards.
• Protect participants during interviews and surveys.

Step 6: Submit the Proposal

Submit the complete proposal according to the UN Women Moldova call requirements and within the specified submission deadline.

Incomplete proposals or applications that fail to demonstrate the required organizational and technical capacity may not be considered.

Key Selection Considerations

A competitive proposal should demonstrate:

• Strong experience in gender-related research.
• Proven qualitative and quantitative research capacity.
• Understanding of Moldova’s security and defence context.
• Ability to conduct large-scale data collection.
• A qualified and balanced research team.
• Strong data protection procedures.
• Independence from the National Army.
• A realistic implementation schedule.
• Clear methodology.
• A detailed and cost-effective budget.
• Capacity to deliver high-quality reports and recommendations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without the required five years of relevant research experience.
• Failing to demonstrate both qualitative and quantitative research expertise.
• Providing an incomplete project team.
• Underestimating the logistical requirements of surveying up to 380 staff.
• Failing to budget for at least 15 tablets or laptops for enumerators.
• Providing vague data protection procedures.
• Failing to explain research independence.
• Submitting an unrealistic timeline.
• Providing weak evidence of experience in gender equality and women’s participation.
• Ignoring the English and Romanian reporting requirements.
• Failing to connect recommendations to evidence collected through the assessment.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Organizations can strengthen their applications by:

• Demonstrating previous gender research projects with measurable results.
• Providing examples of successful qualitative and quantitative studies.
• Showing experience working with government or security-sector institutions where applicable.
• Explaining how research independence will be protected.
• Presenting a clear enumerator recruitment and training strategy.
• Providing detailed data-quality assurance procedures.
• Showing how confidentiality will be maintained.
• Linking the research methodology directly to the MOWIP framework.
• Providing a realistic milestone-based workplan.
• Building a transparent and justified budget.

Key Details at a Glance

• Program: Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) Assessment
• Implementing organization: UN Women Moldova
• Country: Moldova
• Target institution: National Army of the Republic of Moldova
• Eligible applicant: National non-profit/non-governmental organization
• Minimum relevant experience: 5 years
• Funding: USD 90,000–USD 110,000
• Expected start: November 2026
• Expected completion: October 2027
• Fact-Finding Form: Approximately 200 questions
• Key Decision-Maker Interviews: Up to 30
• National Army survey: Up to 380 staff
• Enumerators: Up to 15
• Required equipment: At least 15 tablets/laptops
• Languages: English and Romanian
• Technical partner: Cornell University Gender and Security Sector Lab
• Additional support: DCAF Helpdesk
• Core outputs: Assessment findings, recommendations, final report, and communication brief

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOWIP Assessment?

The MOWIP Assessment is a structured research methodology used to identify barriers and opportunities affecting women’s meaningful participation in UN peace operations.

Who can apply for the Moldova MOWIP Assessment?

Officially registered national non-profit organizations in Moldova can apply if they meet the required experience and technical research criteria.

How much funding is available?

The project provides between USD 90,000 and USD 110,000, with the final amount depending on the approved proposal and budget.

How many National Army personnel will participate in the survey?

The structured survey will involve up to 380 National Army staff, with gender parity among respondents.

What research methods will be used?

The assessment will use three principal tools: a 200-question Fact-Finding Form, up to 30 Key Decision-Maker Interviews, and a structured survey of up to 380 National Army personnel.

What experience must applicants have?

Applicants must have at least five years of experience in research related to gender equality, women’s participation, and leadership in Moldova, as well as demonstrated qualitative and quantitative research capacity.

When will the project take place?

The assignment is expected to begin in November 2026 and finish by October 2027, with payments linked to key implementation milestones.

Conclusion

The UN Women Moldova MOWIP Assessment Project provides an important opportunity for a qualified Moldovan non-profit organization to conduct evidence-based research on women’s participation in UN peace operations. With funding of USD 90,000–USD 110,000, the selected Responsible Partner will lead data collection, analysis, stakeholder validation, and reporting to identify barriers and develop practical recommendations for strengthening the participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping missions.

For more information, visit UN Women.