Terms of References – For engagement of external consultant for the development of shadow report of CEDAW convention and recent EU progress report  focused on rural women 

1. Background

Vive Žene- Centre for Therapy and Rehabilitation invites interested external consultant for the development of shadow report of CEDAW convention focused on rural women in a frame of project “Fostering Gender equality, Women’s empowerment as key element for rural development” supported by We Effect Europe. 

The project makes efforts in addressing gender equality, empowerment of rural women, enhancing the capacities of Vive Žene and provision of strategic support to the Network “Rural women associations -Podrinje”. This set of objectives will contribute to sustainable livelihood in the rural communities as well as to increasing resilience at organisational and community level.

Vive Zene is one of founder of Regional platform for improving a social and economic status for rural women in Western Balkan which is established during 2023 with aim for joint lobby and advocacy activities for improving social and economic status of rural women

Mission: Regional Platform for improving a social and economic status for rural women in

Western Balkan is catalyst to empower women from rural areas by promoting cooperation,

exchanging experiences, knowledge, gender equality, social inclusion and through joint

lobby and advocacy actions improved economic and social status for rural women.

1. II.Objective of the assignment

The goal of this assignment is to analyze the country's CEDAW and EC Progress Report with a focus on rural women. The analysis should primarily examine the EC Progress Report, the CEDAW State Party’s Report, and the CEDAW Concluding Comments. Special attention should be given to progress related to the chapter on “Principal Areas of Concern and Recommendations” in the CEDAW Concluding Comments, as well as the EC Progress Report. Additionally, the analysis should also review the Bosnia and Herzegovina  Gender profile for Agriculture and Rural live holds, FAO report, and  comprehensive gender analysis of BIH.. 

III . Scope of Work

• The consultant will be responsible for:
• Develop methodology for development of shadow report related to the rural women
• Sharing methodology and confirming methodology on joint Regional platform meeting which will be organize in May in Skopje.
• Collaborate with rural women and the project team to integrate their insights and ensure their voices are reflected in the report.
• Analyze the CEDAW its General Recommendations, Bosnia and Herzegovina most recent State Report, and Concluding Observations as well as Gender profile for Agriculture and Rural live holds, FAO report, EU progress report,  .
• Analyze findings from previous shadows report in relation to rural women Prepare a draft shadow report and present at a validation workshop.
• Incorporate feedback from the validation workshop into the final report in relation to rural women 
• Development of comprehensive regional shadow report on CEDAW convention from Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and HerzegovinaIV. Deliverables

The assignment is expected to be completed within 30 w/d, following this timeline::

Deliverable:	Deadline:
Draft methodology for national shadow report on CEDAW in relation to rural women  Draft methodology for regional shadow report on CEDAW in relation to rural women Sharing methodology and confirming methodology on joint Regional platform meeting in Skopje.	Draft: April 30  Final: May 30 May
Collaborate with rural women and the project team to integrate their insights and ensure their voices are reflected in the report.  Analysis of the CEDAW, its General Recommendations, Bosnia and Herzegovina most recent State Report, and Concluding Observations. Analysis of findings from previous shadows report in relation to rural women Prepared a draft shadow report and present at a validation workshop. Incorporate feedback from the validation workshop into the final report	June – August
Developted comprehensive regional shadow report on CEDAW from Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina	Final: August 25

V. Duty travel & accommodation

The scope of work is entirely located Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The work considers at least one travels to Skopje, and one visit to rural area of Podrinje. 

The first travel is expected to last 2 working days (4 days including travel)  to meet with members of Regional platform and consultants from region. The aim of this meeting is to share methodology and confirm methodology on joint Regional platform shadow report. Travel and accommodation will be paid by Vive Zene and NFF. 

The field trip to Podrinje will be predominantly organised in form of workshop where consultant will be enabled to cooperate with rural women and the project team with aim to integrate their insights and ensure their voices are reflected in the report

The travel and accommodation should be calculated in the gross financial proposal.

VI. Coordination & reporting

On behalf of Vive Zene, the project coordinator is nominated to communicate and coordinate the entire process of implementation of the contract. The project coordinator will also be in charge of receiving the draft document, reviewed by Vive Zene, regional platform and We Effect, collect and compile their comments and recommendations and communicate them with consultant.

The draft and final documents (socio-economic studies, business plans and applications) should be formally submitted by email To: mima@vivezene.ba and Cc: vivezene@bih.net.ba

VII. Qualification requirements

Mandatory criteria for the expert nominated for development of the socio-economic studies:

1. Familiarity with the socio-political and cultural context of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as region of Westren Balkan..
2. Advanced degree in gender studies, human rights, law, or a related field.
3. Proven experience in developing CEDAW shadow reports or similar alternative reports.
4. In-depth knowledge of gender issues and policy frameworks in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as region of Westren Balkan.
5. Strong analytical and writing skills in both English and B/H/S.
6. Application procedure:

• Deadline for application: April 7^th   2025 
• Type of application: email to mima@vivezene.ba and vivezene@bih.net.ba
• Mandatory documents for submission:

• CV of the expert 
• Declaration of relationship with Vive Zene or with staff of Vive Zene.
• Brief proposed methodology 
• Financial offer.

Notes: 

The financial offer should be expressed in BAM and lumpsum format for each activity decrpbide in  Article III –  scope of the work desribed, where all components (administrative costs, experts’ fees, travel costs, VAT, personal tax, health insurance, travel insurance, legal fees, communication fees) are going to be included but NOT separately presented.

For any additional information you can contact Vive Zene through mail mima@vivezene.ba and Cc: vivezene@bih.net.ba 

1. Evaluation of the offers

Vive Zene will form evaluation committee consisted by three persons where the best offer will be chosen.

Best value for money principle will be taken into account by using a weighted scoring method to evaluate the combination of the applicants’ qualification (90%) and financial proposal (10%).

1. Technical evaluation (60points): 
2. Evaluation of the expert nominated for development of the socio-economic study:

• Number of assignments in development of shadows report on CEDAW convention [20 p.]
• Number of developed shadows report[20 p.]
• Number of assignments targeting gender equality and rural women empowerment [20 p.]

Only the candidates which will reach the threshold of 60 %  (min 40 points out of 60 points) of the technical qualification will be considered for the financial evaluation. I recommend here we go with 90% technical and 10% financial.

1. Financial evaluation (40points)

The evaluation of the financial offers will be conducted in the following manner:

• The offer with the lowest price shall receive the total of 40 points
• The other offers with higher prices shall receive the respective score according to the following formula: 40* (Lowest Price / Proposed Price).

1. Terms of payment

The payment is considered to be implemented in two instalments:

1. Upon signing the contract – 25% [indicative date: April 25th]
2. Upon approval of all documents – 75% [indicative date: August 30t^h]

1. Declaration of relationships

The consultant shall describe if have any business or personal relationships with closely associated party from Vive Zene, its governing bodies and employees or with similar bodies/persons of the Vive zene.  

Closely associated party (persons, physical or legal) as per We Effect’s definition is considered person who has the possibility to exert control over, or significant influence on, the other person when it comes to financial and operative decision-making concerning an activity. The purpose of the Declaration is to disclose such information which makes the application and evaluation process more transparent and supports the bids in its relevance according to conditions on the open market.