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, wom