CONSULTANT - GENDER ASSESSMENT OF THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR IN MALAWI

Background

A recent review of the state of the Integrated Rural Development (IRD) in Malawi revealed that IRD is more complex than thought. There is no clear direction that should be taken to implement IRD despite the same being a priority in the MGDS II. There are programmatic and organisational issues related to the planning, management and financing of IRD interventions that need to be addressed if IRD interventions are to have the expected impact in the country. Furthermore, according to the latest Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) progress report (2012), Malawi has mixed results in terms of progressing in achieving MDGs by 2015. Malawi is on track to achieving four of the eight MDGS. A critical analysis has revealed that the goals lagging behind have a gender connotation hence gender equality is the main factor impeding progress in attaining the MDGs. Consequently, gender inequality is a recurring issue that directly affects the planning, management and financing of IRD interventions in Malawi. To address these issues, the Government of Malawi with support from UNDP and Irish Aid developed a Policy and Institutional Framework for Integrated Rural Development project. The primary goal of the project is to forge a consensus about IRD at conceptual, policy and practical levels. It will thus focus on agreeing to conceptual, policy and practical challenges about IRD related to meaning, focus, scope and approach as well as institutional framework that would ensure efficient and effective implementation of IRD. The pinnacle of the project is the formulation and approval of a gender responsive integrated rural development strategy that will guide implementation of IRD interventions in Malawi. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is therefore seeking a consultant   to carry out a gender assessment of the rural development sector in Malawi that will inform the IRD Strategy formulation process. The consultant is expected to work together as a multi-sectoral technical team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of this assignment is to conduct an in-depth Gender assessment of the rural development sector in Malawi to feed into the integrated rural development strategy document. An analysis has to be carried out in all the pillars of rural development namely: Local Governance; Local Development Planning; Local Economic Development and Investments; Rural Financing. The assessment has to ensure that the extent to which gender is mainstreamed in all these pillars is identified, challenges stipulated and recommendations for improvement stated. The proposed recommendation will shape the policy issues in the integrated rural development strategy so that it is gender sensitive and offers equal opportunities to men, women and the youth in carrying out rural development interventions.    Scope of work, responsibilities, deliverables Deliverables: This consultancy is scheduled for December, January and February 2013 and it is expected to take 30working days. The following are the expected outputs to be completed by the individual consultant: Inception Report after 5 working days during 1st assignment in Malawi, December 2013; Acceptable Draft Gender Assessment on the Rural Development Sector Report after 15 working days during 2nd assignment in Malawi, January 2014; Acceptable Validation Workshop Report after 3 working days during the 2 nd assignment in Malawi, January 2014;  Acceptable Final Gender Assessment on the Rural Development Sector Report after 7 working days from home February 2014.

Competencies

Corporate competencies Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional competencies Knowledge Management and Learning Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. Development and Operational Effectiveness Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change; Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations; Strong IT skills, web-based management systems; Builds strong relationships with implementing partners, focuses on impact and result for the implementing partners and responds positively to feedback; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure; Excellent negotiation, managerial and analytical skills; Ability to work under stress and pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: At least a Master’s Degree in Gender Studies, Social Science, International Development or related discipline. Experience: At least 5 years experience in the area of Gender mainstreaming; Experience in rural development policy planning will be an added value; Good understating of Gender issues including international treaties and agreements on Gender equality and women empowerment; Demonstrated understanding and experience in thematic analysis studies; Proven ability of partnership building involving government, private sector, UN agencies and civil society; Knowledge and experience of UNDP programming and capacity development approaches. Language: Excellent oral and written skills in English. Application procedure: Financial proposal Lump sum contracts The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel – two travel tickets should be included as specified in details on assignments 23 working days in total in Malawi, per diems while in Malawi , 7 working days from home should not include per diem).     Travel:  All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel, in this case two return tickets to Malawi. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.   In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant. Documents to be included in submission of the proposal Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;  Personal CV including past experience in similar projects/ academic achievements in regards to research on gender and at least 3 references; Financial proposal (based on lump sum as specified in point 3). Evaluation: Cumulative analysis:Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technicaland financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight; 70 %* Financial Criteria weight; 30 %. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 % point would be considered for the Financial.

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=41917