UNDP Jobs - 30464- International Consultancy to Undertake a Gender an

International Consultancy to Undertake a Gender and Climate Change Study in Malawi

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2012

Application Deadline :

18-Jun-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 person days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Economic, Development and Planning, with support from the Japanese Government and the United Nations Development Programme, is implementing a two-year project: Building Capacity for Integrated and Comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Malawi (AAP Malawi). The objective of the project is to enhance Malawi’s existing climate initiatives by strengthening capacity for long term investment in, and management of climate-resilient sustainable development. This will be achieved through the realisation of the following five outputs:

Dynamic, long-term planning mechanisms to manage the inherent uncertainties of climate change introduced;
Leadership capacities and institutional frameworks to manage climate change risks and opportunities in an integrated manner at the national and local levels strengthened;
Climate-resilient policies and measures implemented in priority sectors;
Financing options to meet national adaptation costs at national and local levels expanded; and
Knowledge on adjusting national development processes to fully incorporate climate change risks and opportunities generated and shared across all levels.

Addressing the threat of climate change has gained a lot of momentum and is currently a global priority. Through this significant attention, debates concerning gender linkages to climate change emerged. It is now widely acknowledged that climate change impacts are not gender neutral. The gender differentiated impacts of climate change are directly linked to gender differentiated vulnerabilities, coping and adaption capacities and practices. Any planed climate change responses are therefore incomplete without a gender perspective.

Integrating gender dimensions into national climate changes policies, strategies, action plans and projects or programmes has become critical for realizing Government commitments put in place to respond to climate change impacts and vulnerabilities. To ensure that gender concerns are incorporated effectively in national climate change responses, a clear understanding of the relationships between gender and climate change is critical. This requires a gender analysis to understand the dynamics of gender differences across a variety of issues critical for achieving adaptation as well as building resilience to climate change. These issues include for example, gender roles and activities, access and control over resources, services, institutions of decision-making and networks of power and authority and specific needs of men and women. It is on the basis of this understanding that informed decisions with a gender perspective are made to cover the broad context and the multiple dynamics in which a particular policy, project or programme will operate.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the consultancy is to understand the interrelations between climate change and gender so as to fill the existing information gaps on gender differentiated impacts of climate change in Malawi. This work will assist in designing effective climate change polices, strategies, projects and programmes.

Upon initiation of the contract the consultant will undertake an initial scoping exercise in collaboration with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) in order to assess and understand linkages with other AAP activities, ensure synergies and avoid duplication of activities.

The work shall cover but not be limited to:

Gender and CC analysis;
Reviewing the literature on gender relations especially as they pertain to natural resources and the various climate dependent sectors;
Carrying out a field study to investigate how women and men are impacted differently by the risks identified, their vulnerabilities and capacity to cope and adapt, including issues relating to gender roles and responsibilities, activities, needs, vulnerabilities, capacities and opportunities in the context of climate change;
Identify if any, best practices in gender differentiated adaptation strategies;
Analysing findings using agreed upon methodology;
Compiling a detailed report on the findings;
Preparing recommendations for policies and programmes to address issues identified in the study;
An inception report which will be presented to the Technical Committee on Climate Change for endorsement 5 days after the start of assignment, and to be finalized max. 8 days after the start of assignment;
A draft report (including introduction chapter, literature review, methodology, baseline data) which will be presented for review to the Technical Committee on Climate Change and other stakeholders max. 4 weeks after start of the assignment;
A final report after incorporating comments received from the Technical Committee on Climate Change and other stakeholders, the report should be in line with tasks as spelled out in section 4.0. Max. 7 weeks after start of the assignment. It is anticipated that this assignment will be completed within an overall total of 45 person days spread over a period of 12 weeks.

Competencies

Computer literate with competences in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation and the use of Internet;
Ability to analyse and interpret data and information.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A minimum of a postgraduate or higher degree in either Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Gender/Women’s Studies;

Experience:

A minimum of five years experience in the area of gender analysis and mainstreaming including policy analysis and design of programmes that address gender equality issues. Those with relevant experience in gender analysis and climate change will have a strong advantage;
Strong research skills ( research design, data collection, analysis and reporting)Skills in social research and statistics will be an added advantage;
Experience in Climate Change and effects on social issues;

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in oral and written English with excellent communication skills demonstrated by an ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively.