Background

Sudan remains the largest displacement crisis in the world, with over 11 million people displaced by the conflicts inside and outside of the country, including 9.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Armed clashes over the past ten months caused the displacement of 6,397,698 people, in addition to the three million already displaced before 15 April 2023. As of 20 February, 1,899,826 people had also crossed into neighbouring countries, with the majority in Chad (37%), South Sudan (30%) and Egypt (25%). Severe shortages of basic goods, including food, water, medicines, and fuel, have intensified nationwide due to disrupted trade routes and limited access, prices have dramatically increased, making it unaffordable for many people to meet their basic needs. The health sector is in a state of collapse due to recurrent attacks, looting, and the occupation of medical facilities and hospitals. Sudan is currently facing widespread outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles; Sudan faces a surge in cholera cases, with 10,783 suspected cases across 11 states, including 144 confirmed cases and five fatalities. The conflict has exacerbated acute hunger and malnutrition, which will have a lasting generational impact on the health of the population. Moreover, the ongoing harvests in Sudan are anticipated to fall significantly below average in localized areas of greater Darfur and greater Kordofan, with severe reductions in West Darfur and Central Darfur states.

Working on livelihood measures in Sudan directly responds to the humanitarian and economic crisis gripping the country at present by making women and those they care for less dependent on aid and able to generate their revenue. This will also promote their position as decision-makers in their IDP or host communities. Recurring armed conflict, along with sexual and domestic violence, the sickness or death of family members, or loss of employment, can quickly collapse women’s income generation activities and severely deplete their assets. Women often have no safety net; they usually flee with few resources and little preparation and, at times, become separated from or lose family members. A lack of access to economic opportunity while displaced, forces many women and girls to resort to harmful measures to survive, putting themselves at risk of rape, violence, and abuse through the collection of firewood in unsafe areas, or trading sex for food to compensate for the often inadequate humanitarian aid provided.

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of humanitarian action, development, and peace and security. UN Women has strong experience in promoting women livelihoods but in this conflict and humanitarian context will work with partners that understand the particularities of working in this area with the current constraints and challenges. It is against this backdrop that the UN Women invites the expert services of consultant with expertise in cooperative development.

What is a Cooperative? 

This assignment shall apply the following definition of a cooperative: “A cooperative is defined by the International Co-operative Alliance and the International Labour  Organization as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically- controlled enterprise.” Cooperatives enter into agreements or raise capital on terms that ensure democratic control of their members. Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives, and inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of the assignment:

Under the supervision of the Gender in Humanitarian Action, Specialist, and in close collaboration with leads of women economic empowerment, women peace, and security thematic areas, the consultant will conduct a scooping exercise of cooperatives, including other member-based organizations engaged in various livelihoods activities for resilience building. S/he will explore the role and performance of such cooperatives/women membership groups (informal and formal) in Gedarif State. The scooping exercise will also analyse the potential of informally formed groups of small businesses belonging/operated by women IDPs, and vulnerable women in host communities to coalesce into cooperatives.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to undertake mapping of the cooperatives/informal and formal women groups; and build the capacity of the formal and informal women groups to function as cooperative organisations. The consultant will also provide support for creating a conducive regulatory environment for the cooperatives to function.

Specifically, the consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Identification of member-based organizations engaged in various livelihoods activities for resilience building; and explore the role and performance of such cooperatives/women membership groups (informal and formal) in Gedarif States.
• Analyse the potential of informally formed groups of small businesses belonging/operated by women IDPs, and vulnerable women in host communities to coalesce into cooperatives.
• Undertake analysis of relevant social and solidarity economy organizations (e.g. cooperatives, social enterprise  involved in the provision of livelihood opportunities to displaced populations.
• Undertake analysis of the relevance of the cooperatives and other similar organizations (as referred above) to the needs of their members, especially on how they contribute directly to their livelihoods.

• Identify major challenges that are specific to cooperatives, women's economic groups, and other similar member-based organizations.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the cooperatives,  groups, and other similar organizations in terms of leadership, membership, infrastructure, participation in the markets, and their economic viability;
• Assess whether cooperatives have access to financial services or provide financial services in the target areas;
• Identify and analyse skills gaps and specific training needs for cooperatives, groups, other similar organizations, and their support organizations;
• Assess the involvement of women IDPs within existing cooperatives or their own formed cooperatives following their displacement. Analyse whether women IDPs are allowed to join or establish a cooperative. 
• Make recommendations as follows:

• The most quick and fast implementable cooperative model for women to establish considering the current context in Sudan.
• Different ways women can build resilience through livelihoods under the auspices of cooperative groups.
• Provide training to women on how to run a cooperative, including setting up governance structures, leadership, and management.

Deliverables

1. Scooping report covering existing cooperatives, including membership groups (formal and informal), women groups, etc.
2. Report on the formation of women's cooperative groups
3. Training reports for cooperative members in the Gedarif State.

Payment schedule

The consultant will be paid a daily professional fee to be agreed upon by both parties; and will be paid as follows:

1. A first payment of 10% following the submission, to the satisfaction of the UN Women, of the inception report, within a week after signing the contract.
2. A second payment of 40% following the submission, to the satisfaction of the UN Women, of the draft report-
3. A third (and last) payment of 50%, following the submission of the final report, with the satisfaction of the UN Women. 

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example 

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:  

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values 

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: 

• Research and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent management of the data collection process, including overseeing data entry and ensuring the accuracy of collected in

Required Skills and Experience

Required qualifications include: 

1. A Bachelors degree in social sciences or other relevant subjects
2. Knowledge and awareness of the cooperative structure, legal framework, and operations in Kenya
3. Knowledge and experience in working in Gedarif State.
4. Specific knowledge of participatory research methods
5. Good analytical skills, as well as the ability to elaborate high-quality research documents 
6. Language skills: fluency in English, and Arabic. Additionally,  knowledge of the local languages of the target regions will be an added advantage
7. Familiarity with KoboToolsbox for data collection is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Arabic are required.