UNDP Jobs - 59512- Gender Inclusive Participation Consultant

Gender Inclusive Participation Consultant

Location :

Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

21-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

04-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 Days (Excluding Weekends)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 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 Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with support from UNDP, implemented the project entitled "Enhancing resilience of communities in Solomon Islands to the adverse effects of climate change in agriculture and food security" which was signed in May 2011.

The focus of the project is to build adaptive capacity and pilot adaptation activities at the community level. The objective is to strengthen the ability of communities to make informed decisions and manage likely climate change driven pressures on food production and management systems. In particular, the project will lead to the following key results; 1) promote and pilot community adaptation activities enhancing food security and livelihood resilience in pilot communities in at least 3 selected climatic and geographic clusters; 2) strengthen institutions and adjusted national and sub-national policies related to governing agriculture in the context of a range of climate change futures; and 3) foster the generation and spread of relevant knowledge for assisting decision-making at the community and policy-formulation level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work/Expected Output

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop resource materials to support facilitation of gender sensitive and inclusive trainings, workshops and meetings at community level. Specifically the resource material must be designed and developed based on community experiences during the tenure of the project, identify gender bias and gaps, strengths and weaknesses in specific strategies, approaches, instruments, ideas and identify best practices and how it can be best used by community practitioners.

Hence, the consultant is expected to contribute to the following:

Review relevant project reports, mission reports, training and workshop reports to gather relevant baseline information;
Liaise with relevant community practitioners with field experience for advice and guidance;
Conduct workshop with community participants to deduce relevant tools, approaches, strategies, instruments, ideas that are used with communities and investigate their effectiveness and popularity with communities;
Interview community participants and project officers to establish gender bias gaps, how to fill in the gaps and what tools to use to improve the gaps;
Develop resource material for use by community development practitioners as guide to ensure gender sensitive and inclusive participation in trainings, workshops and meetings for rural community use.

Competencies

Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and effectively including understanding of local language or Solomon Islands Pijin;
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships in a different cultural setting specifically with AF SWoCK project PMU and responsible partners including UNDP, MECDM, MAL;
Strong research skills specifically research design, data collection, analysis and reporting;
Strong problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to formulate relevant recommendations and advice;
Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the area of gender, climate change and food security in the Solomon Islands;
Demonstrated capacity to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time to meet goals under pressure;
Demonstrated capacity to respond flexibly and positively to change through active involvement and generation of innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
Has previously handle positive reporting on social and or environmental issues with emphasis on gender considerations;
Resourceful, innovative and able to make informed judgement;
Computer literate with competency in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation and the use of Internet.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A minimum of Master’s degree in sociology, environment policy, natural resource management and development, journalism and other relevant field, with focus on cross cutting issues such as gender and climate change.

Experience:

The Consultant should have at least a minimum of 5 years of experience in government, NGOs or training institutions with practical experience addressing gender equality issues
Demonstrated knowledge and sound understanding of integrating cross cutting priorities such as gender and climate change
Familiarization on gender issues in the Pacific region, preferably in the Solomon Islands;
The Consultant should understand climate change issues and trends, and be able to clearly articulate linkage between climate change and human development.

Language:

Fluent in English.