Background
Church of Sweden’s (CoS) international work, is focused on five policy areas for the strategy period 2014-2017: pastoral development, health, gender justice and equality, sustainable livelihoods, and peace and reconciliation, and there are overall policy goals formulated for each of these areas. The policy goals for the international work describe the changes that the Church of Sweden’s international work wants to contribute to. The theological foundation for the work of church-related actors is integrated into all policy areas through support to specific theological institutions and education programs. Please refer to “Strategic plan for the Church of Sweden’s international work 2014–2017” for more information (Annex 1).

Church of Sweden´s program in Latin America and the Caribbean for the period 2014-2017 focus on Gender Justice and equality, Sustainable livelihoods and Peace and reconciliation in three country programs: Haiti, Colombia and Central America (with focus in Honduras and Guatemala).

In Haiti, the program focuses on two thematic areas; Sustainable livelihoods and Gender justice and equality. For the policy goal Gender justice and equality, Church of Sweden has defined the following outcomes.

- Women in prioritized regions participate and influence decision making.
- Women, men, boys and girls and local and national leaders in prioritized regions, act against gender based violence within their own organizations and in state institutions.
Church of Sweden currently focuses its work on the theme Sustainable livelihoods in Haiti. This work is carried out with our partner the Lutheran World Federation/Department of World Service Haiti program. Church of Sweden presently supports the implementation of a gender strategy for the organization.

Church of Sweden aims to introduce a gender focus to the program in Haiti for the program period 2014-2017 with capacity building of existing partners, as well as the introduction of new partners specialized in gender. Church of Sweden is primarily considering support to women, feminist and gender organizations working primarily on gender justice, but we do not rule out other types of organizations as long as they have a strong gender focus. The selection of organizations could consist of organizations on national level as well as organizations on regional/local level in Haiti. The local or regional organizations should preferably but not necessarily work in the regions where partners supported by Church of Sweden currently are present (Grand Anse, Gressier, Tete a Boeuf).

This is an ex-ante evaluation. Therefore it is important that the assessment takes into consideration the added value for Church of Sweden, our current partner organization, as well as the added value for new partners to enter into cooperation with the Church of Sweden.

A brief overview of the position on Justice and Gender Equality in the field of International Cooperation of the Church of Sweden. (“Position on Justice and Gender Equity in the field of International Cooperation of the Church of Sweden” Annex 2.)

“The Church of Sweden’s position on gender in its international work demonstrates the Church of Sweden’s will to promote gender justice and equality in its role as a actor in international church cooperation, long term development, humanitarian aid and lobbying. The starting point is a theological analysis based on the inalienable value and rights of every individual, as well as the observation that lack of gender justice and gender equality is a barrier to individuals, society and the church - a barrier that leads to personal suffering, violation of human rights and waste of resources.

The overall position is:

The Church of Sweden undertakes to promote gender justice and gender equality in cooperation with churches and organizations with which we work, within the networks and in the arenas in which we are present and active.

The overall position is highlighted by further seven strategic positions that address the following areas: 1. Theology for gender justice and gender equality; 2. Gender as an integral perspective in all activities; 3. Sexual and reproductive health and rights; 4. Gender-based violence and sexual gender-based violence; 5. Economic justice; 6. Women and men as social actors and leaders; 7. The Church of Sweden as a meeting place characterized by equal opportunity and security.

The implications of this position are that the Church of Sweden on that basis will need to integrate
a gender power perspective in its work, while at the same time gender justice and gender equality represent a separate priority area.”

For CoS "Equality" means equality of rights, obligations and opportunities for women, men and others in all areas of life; In other words, women, men and others should have equal power in society and in their own lives. The term "gender" refers to socially constructed roles, attributes and opportunities associated with biological sex in a given context, therefore, an approach based on clear rights. Gender also refers to sexual orientation and diversity in how people express their gender identity. It is crucial to analyze imbalances in power and influence between women, men and others.


Objective
The purpose of this consultancy is twofold:

- Firstly, provide Church of Sweden with a description of the situation for gender justice and equality as well as regarding the situation for gender-based violence in Haiti i in order to deepen the CoS´s knowledge and understanding of the situation in Haiti, and finally to strengthen implementation of CoS’s gender policies. What is the situation now, taking into account gender-based violence within the Haitian context? What is the legal framework?

State institutions? What are the new trends and major gaps? What are the opportunities for NGOs to influence and coordinate with state institutions in relation to the subject? What are the opportunities, challenges and constraints to the participation of women's, feminist and gender organizations in the broader peace process? What are the working conditions of women's organizations, feminists, gender and LGBTI? Are they up against threats or restrictions in their work?

- Secondly, provide CoS with an inventory with organizations active in the field of gender justice and equality suitable for Church of Sweden’s selection of new partner organizations for this theme in implementation of its 2014-2017 program.

Expected Products
Description of the context of gender justice and equality in Haiti. What is the situation now, taking into account gender-based violence, legislation and state institutions? What is the legal framework? State institutions? What are the new trends and major gaps? What are the opportunities for NGOs to influence and coordinate with state institutions in relation to the subject? What are the opportunities, challenges and constraints to the participation of women's, feminists and gender organizations in the broader development of Haiti? What are the working conditions of women's, feminists and gender organizations? Are they up against any threats or restrictions in their?

Mapping of organizations working to increase women´s empowerment (participation in decision making and control over resources, advocacy). Description of the main focus of women, feminists and gender organizations; with a description of their vision, mission and thematic and /or geographical approaches. What are the opportunities, threats, weaknesses and /or gaps? What is their identity?

Mapping of organizations working against gender based violence. Description of the main focus of women, feminists and gender organizations in this field. (Capacity building, awareness, protection, strengthening the justice system and working against impunity and advocacy). What are the opportunities, threats, weaknesses and /or gaps? What is their identity?

Shortlisting and assessment of organizations that fulfill Church of Sweden’s general requirements. The assessment should also include aspects such as guiding principles and values, gender focus, leadership, staff composition and capacity, how they work and how they are organized, risk-analysis, scope of their work, the role that the organization fulfills in the Haitian civil society, their role and position within the cluster of gender, feminist
or women organizations, relationship with Church of Sweden´s partner Lutheran World Federation- World Service Haiti Program and other members of the ACT Alliance fora, potential of added value to Church of Sweden´s program in Haiti in terms of for example potential capacity building of existing partner and synergies, participation in networks - national and international - and relationship with state actors.

Recommendations to Church of Sweden for the selection of new partners. Taking into account the above aspect, the consultant should give recommendations to Church of Sweden for the selection of new partners.
Report
The assessment will result in a written report, documenting the assessment process and the results. It shall include
- Description and analysis of the gender justice and equality situation in Haiti,
- Mapping and list of potential partner organizations,
- Analysis and assessments of selected partner organizations that fulfills Church of Sweden´s criteria for partner collaboration and the specific criteria specified in the Terms of Reference for this consultancy.
- Conclusions and recommendations directed to the Church of Sweden for the selection of partners and potential areas of support.
The report should be written in English not exceeding 35 pages including the resume (but not including annexes). The report format and text should be an A4 paper size in Times New Roman font size 11. The consultant(s) will be liable to submit at least two hard copies and an electronic version of the evaluation report in Word Version by the agreed deadline to: selina.eriksson@svenskakyrkan.se

The consultant(s) will be responsible for:
• Developing a detailed evaluation work plan and evaluation methodology (inception report) which will be shared and agreed upon with CoS before commencement of the actual work.
• Participating in an initial briefing via Skype with CoS to ensure that the consultant is clear on the expectations of this consultancy.
• Developing tools which will be shared with CoS for discussion and agreed upon before starting the consultancy.
• Reviewing of documents submitted by CoS.
• Discussing with CoS to get their feedback.
• Conducting field visits to collect information and data through a combination of data collection methods.
• Present to CoS the key findings and allow it to give feedback.
• Submit draft report to CoS for review, comments and inputs which will be taken into consideration before submission of the final report.

Outline of the Report
The report should contain at minimum different elements mentioned below. All parts should be clearly distinguished from each other and of sufficient quality.
• Cover page
• Table of contents
• Executive summary that can be used as an independent document.
• The executive summary should include the major findings of the assessment and summarize conclusions and recommendations.
• Methodology, its justification and limitations if any.
• Findings addressing all the studies questions as well as the unexpected outcomes.
• Conclusions presenting summary of the findings on the basis of assessment questions.
• Recommendations which should be clearly related to conclusions.
• Report annexes

Confidentiality of information
All documents and data collected will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate analysis. Where necessary, the respondents will not be named and/or quoted in the reports without their permission.

Provisional timetable
October 7th Call for Proposals, and advertisement
November 4th Latest date to present tenders
November 13th Decision taken on the tender
November 18th Signing of the contract and starting of the assessment including field’s work preparation, which we estimate may take 15 days

January 18th 1st draft submission for comments from CoS
January 28th Submission of comments to consultants
February 5th Final draft submission

Profile of the consultant
- Documented knowledge of the political and social context in Haiti, with special focus on gender equality.
- Documented knowledge of gender based-violence.
- Documented knowledge of Haitian civil society and state institution, with special focus on women, gender and feminist organizations and state institutions with a focus on women´s rights.
- Documented capacity and experience in conducting organizational assessments (researches, gender audits, evaluations or others)
Priority will be given to consultants locally based or with an extended experience of the country.

Bid requirements
Consultants who meet the above requirements should submit bids, which at minimum include the following:
• Suitability statement, including commitment to availability for the entire assignment.
• Brief statement of on the proposed evaluation methodology including a detailed work plan.
• Detailed financial proposal.
• Updated curriculum vitae that clearly spell out qualifications and experience.
• Contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted the consultant to carry out relevant evaluation and the evaluation reports.

N/B: The entire bid should be a maximum of seven (7) pages inclusive of Budgets. Bids not meeting this requirement will not be considered.

Ownership
Church of Sweden is the owner of the results of the assessment and any other material or information as a product of it. The results of the consultancy can be used by other with previous authorization of CoS.

Time and Budget
The consultant is expected to complete his/her work within two months, including preparation, field work and report writing. Estimated period of contract is from November 18th, 2014 to January 18th 2015. The tender should include a detailed breakdown of costs. The budget should include consultant fee, specification of VAT and other tax fees, per diems, insurance and travel costs. (The consultant is responsible for compliance with the tax obligations of the country given that CoS does not have legal status in the country.)
Contract
Estimated contract start is November 18th, 2014. The successful applicant will be invited to sign a contract with Church of Sweden. The final report should be completed by January 18th according to the terms of references. 50% of the total costs will be paid upon commissioning, with the remaining 50% on receipt of the final report.

Tender procedure
Tenders should be submitted by Tuesday 4th of November 2014. Submissions should be emailed with the subject “Proposal; Gender in Haiti” to selina.eriksson@svenskakyrkan.se Late tenders will not be accepted in any circumstances.
The tender is to be written in English. The tender should include details of approach and methodology; details of time and costs; and full CV of the consultant including three references.
After deadline the applicants may be contacted for additional questions. We reserve the right to not accept the lowest financial proposal and to reject any or all proposals. We intend to make a decision until November 13th.