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Tenders are invited for Consultancy - Evaluating the Level of Gender Sensitivity in Two Pacific Parliaments. Closing Date: 19 Dec 2025 Type: Consultancy The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments with a membership of 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works to promote peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action. The IPU has supported over half of its members to strengthen parliament capacity to perform their functions. UNDP has been supporting more than 60 parliaments globally to strengthen parliament as an institution of good governance, inclusive development and public accountability. In the Pacific, the UNDP Pacific Office (PO) has been supporting Pacific Parliaments to fulfil the core functions of parliaments of law-making, oversight and representation. The PO has supported Pacific Parliaments to reform the parliamentary professional service, provided trainings and activities to strengthen parliamentary library and research services, provided policy support with a focus on SDG advocacy, supported the production of Budget Briefs for members to assist with informed debates on the national budgets, increased opportunities for citizens and CSO engagement in the work of parliament, built capacities for members and staff on substantive and procedural issues as well as skills such as public speaking, dealing with the media, debating, and codes of conduct, supported the development for institutional frameworks to ensure that parliaments have sufficient power and independence to contribute to democratic development. The IPU collaborates with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) both nationally and globally for over 40 years. In late 2025, the IPU and UNDP have entered into a cooperation agreement to support parliaments in Pacific countries. Within this programme the IPU will support two parliaments to undertake Gender sensitivity self-assessments. Format The proposed activity is divided into two segments: An information seminar on gender-sensitive parliaments. The seminar will aim at sharing basic gender concepts and collecting participants expectations thus ensuring there is a common understanding of the self-assessment exercise. A self-assessment exercise. The exercise will combine a desk review of the main facts and documents related to the work of Parliament and group discussions around questions to be defined based on the IPU Gender-sensitive parliament self-assessment toolkit.[1] Coordination and Steering Group The self-assessment exercise will be spearheaded by the Parliament with the support from the IPU and UNDP. A Steering Group will be set up in consultation with the Speaker, as well as with the Clerk. The Group will include equal numbers of women and men Members of Parliament and staff. The Steering Group will meet to agree on the format of the sessions, the themes and questions to be addressed and the documentation to be made available to participants, based on the IPU self-assessment toolkit (Evaluating the gender sensitivity of parliaments). The Steering Group will also be tasked with ensuring follow-up action is undertaken after the exercise. The IPU will support the Steering Group in the planning of the self-assessment exercise and in ensuring adequate follow-up. Participants A group of 5-10 persons will be formed, comprising of members of parliament and staff. The group must be gender-balanced, take into account the age and political diversity of Members of Parliament. Methodology Participants will conduct the assessment in plenary and/or in discussion groups and will be assisted by a team of IPU Consultants during the exercise. Participants will analyse the following main issues: 1. The presence of women in Parliament and the positions they occupy; 2. The national legal framework on equality and the gender equality plans in Parliament; 3. Internal policies and procedures from a gender perspective; 4. Gender mainstreaming in the work of Parliament; 5. The parliamentary culture from a gender-perspective; 6. Key partnerships for gender equality: men parliamentarians and political parties. A desk review will be conducted by Parliament prior to the activity. It will cover the national legal and policy framework on gender equality; internal policies and plans that relate to gender equality; the gender composition of parliamentary committees; and a gender break-down of leadership positions and of senior positions of staff of the National Assembly and of the National Council. The self-assessment shall provide a baseline for Parliaments continous assessment of progress on its level of gender sensitivity. Time and venue The self-assessment exercise shall take place in two Pacific parliaments in early 2026. A precise venue is to be determined in consultation with the Parliaments concerned. Expected outcomes and follow-up The self-assessments will lead to the preparation of a report on main findings and recommendations. To implement the recommendations. An action plan for implementing the conclusions contained in the report will be developed and approved. The outcome of the exercise will be shared in the plenary of parliament. IPU will provide support to the implementation of recommendations stemming from the self-assessment exercise. The Parliament may take the opportunity to share details of the self-assessment and its outcomes at a future IPU Assembly. Preparation The IPU will recruit a team of two international Consultants to undertake gender sensitive self-assesments in two pacific parliaments Parliament will conduct background research (desk review) and prepare the documentation in consultation with the IPU Consultants. It will also provide secretarial support during the process. Parliament will identify an adequate venue that allows for plenary and group discussions, in consultation with the IPU. Duties and responsibilities of the consultants: Under the overall supervision of the Manager, Technical Cooperation Programme, IPU and working with four pacific parliaments, the Consultant will perform the following functions: Support implementation of phases 1 and 2 of the assessment process as outlined in Annex 1. Provide technical assistance an advice to the Steering Committee Where required provide training/coaching to the Pacific Parliament MPs and staff to increase their capacity to undertake the assement In-person support to facilitate carrying out of the assesment through the provision of advice, support and comparative experience. Institutional arrangements The Consultants will report directly to the IPU Manager, Technical Cooperation Programme. All reports and documents related to the assignment will be submitted to the Manager, Technical Cooperation Programme, IPU. The Consultant will be responsible for all technical related equipment including laptops internet etc relevant to this assignment. Duration of the work 20 days between 15/01/2026 and 01/05/2026. Duty Station & Travel Home based for preparatory work with travels to Pacific Island countries. For all travels undertaken through this consultancy, IPU will purchase air tickets for the consultant based on the most direct route and cost-effective route as per IPU Conditions of Travel. IPU will also provide Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) to the consultant for the duration of his/her stay at the respective duty station at UN approved DSA rates Educational Qualifications (Minimum): University degree in social science, political science or law; specialization in gender studies an asset. An advanced degree is highly desirable. Experience: At least ten years of relevant professional experience related to gender equality and womens rights. Proven experience in designing and delivering trainings or capacity-building programmes for parliamentarians and/or political officials required. Demonstrated experience of work with parliaments and parliamentarians in different countries and regional contexts required. Experience with digital content development required. Excellent communication skills required. Experience in facilitating self-assessments in a parliamentary environment desirable. Excellent drafting skills in English required. Competencies: Good representational and liaison skills. Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, communication and networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships. Ability to meet deadlines. Excellent English writing and communication skills. Deliverables Deliverable Due date Inception report: a report including a workplan and outlining the methodology, timeline, engagement strategy in undertaking the self-assessments and expected outcomes Within 10 days of contract signature An interim progress note to include: Findings and progress to date; challenges faced and how they were mitigated; opportunities availed of (if any); Recommendations 5 days following completion of support to 2 parliaments Final report which outlines: Findings and progress; challenges faced and how they were mitigated; opportunities availed of (if any); recommendations going forward. 10 days following completion of support Annex: phases in self-assessment 1.Planning and analysis The Planning and analysis phase should develop a common understanding of why a self-assessment is to be carried out, how it will be done and what the expected outcome will be. Main issues to be addressed: Understand the parliamentary environment. Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4188349/consultancy-evaluating-level-gender-sensitivity-two-pacific-parliaments
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