Background

The high level of gender inequality (Gender Inequality Index ranking 144 out of 149 countries in 2013 and its effect on social, economic, and personal development remains a serious challenge to Mozambique. Women living with HIV/AIDS (positive women are representing a particularly vulnerable group. Associations and networks of positive women play an important role to combat HIV/AIDS in Mozambique covering areas, which are not covered by any other part of the health system (often at the lowest level of the system and also in geographically isolated areas. UN Women has been collaborating with positive women associations over several years. In 2011 UN Women conducted a survey on positive women associations with the aim to tackle causes of high HIV/AIDS prevalence among women. Following the Survey and in preparation to the elaboration of the national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS (PEN IV) a political agenda of women living with HIV/AIDS has been elaborated and disseminated. In 2014 UN Women facilitated the participation of positive women associations in regional preparatory meetings for the PEN IV elaboration. As a result the voice of women living with HIV/AIDS is reflected in the national strategy.

Apart from the important role women’s organization play in the development process of the country, they are facing major constrains. Lack of access to resources and information, lack of organizational structure and/or lack of legal registration are some of the main challenges identified. To increase the efficiency of women’s organizations, enhancing their impact on national policies and strategies and strengthen their advocacy work, institutional development is needed.

In this context, it is urgent to provide positive women associations with the ability and structure to access resources and opportunities in order to increase their participation to combat HIV/AIDS and in decision-making processes at local and national level. UN Women aims to contribute to the strengthening of positive women associations and their network through institutional capacity development.

UNDP Human Development Report 2014, Explanatory note on the 2014 Human Development Report composite indices Mozambique, 2014

‘Positive women’ refers to women living with HIV/AIDS, the term has been chosen by themselves.

UN Women Mozambique, Mapeamento das Associações de Mulheres vivendo com HIV/SIDA em Moçambique, 2011.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall Objective  and Scope

Women living with HIV have strengthened capacities to advocate for the inclusion of their priorities in HIV/AIDS response, strategies and budgets as well as plans and budgets at the local level.

Specific objectives:

• Mapping of associations of positive women associations in Gaza;
• Six associations of positive women from Chokwe and Guijá have a better understanding of associativism;
• Six aassociations of positive women from Chokwe and Guijá have increased institutional capacity and formulated action plan with first steps of implementation conducted;
• Strengthened network among associations of positive women in Gaza.

Duration and supervision of consultancy

The Consultant will work closely with the Programme and under direct supervision of Programme Officer Specialist and overall supervision of the UN Women Representative in Mozambique. Training sessions will be conducted under the direct supervision of UN Women. The consultancy will have a maximum duration of 2 months, starting from 19 October 2015.

Methodology

Mapping of Positive Women Association in Gaza

Desk review and communication with focal points in Gaza.

Training on Associativism

Participative training with representatives of six associations to achieve a common understanding of associativism, organizational identity, common concepts used in associativism, organizational and functional structure of an association, and phases of growth of an association board.

Organizational capacity strenghtening

Participative two days workshop for each association including auto evaluation of organizational capacities, identification of priority.

areas for institutional strengthening, formulation of agenda of action. Support associations of positive women in implementing immediate changes resulting from the training. Follow up after three weeks.

Facilitate Network of associations

Support establishment of communication network among associations.

Expected results

Key Deliverables and Deadlines

Description:

• Inception report with detailed proposed methodology, workplan and structure of the final report - 2 days after signature of contract.

Interim progress report on implementation including:

• 30 days after approval of the methodology & work plan;
• Results of mapping of positive women association in Gaza;
• Comprehensive information on training on associativism including training detailed methodology & lessons learned;
• Comprehensive information on two day institutional support of six positive women associations including methodology & lessons learned;
• Presentation of elaborated agenda of action;
• Draft version of final report including recommendations based on results and lessons learned of project implementation: 15 days after submission of the interim progress report;
• Final report incorporating recommendations from UN Women: 10 days after submission of the draft final report.

Competencies

Corporate Competences:

• Demonstrate integrity, values and ethics in accordance to UN Women norms;
• Promote the vision, mission and strategic objectives of UN Women;
• Show respect regardless the race/colour, sex, religion, nationality and age as well as be sensible to cultural adaptation capacity.

Functional Competences:

• Solid knowledge of gender equality issues and the status of women's rights;
• Leadership and skills to work with autonomy and initiative;
• Strong advocacy skills;
• Demonstrated ability to write project reports in both English and Portuguese.

Managing knowledge and learning:

• Promote knowledge sharing and a learning culture;
• Team working;
• Strong communication skills, oral and written.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Post Graduate degree (Masters) in development studies, economics, sociology, gender studies, and other related fields related with the social sciences.

Experience:

• Five years' experience of legislation, programme and public policies on gender, women’s economic empowerment, institutional capacity development, associativism, community work and women’s rights in general in Mozambique;
• Demonstrated experience in gender and economics related research;
• Demonstrated ability and experience to plan capacity development workshops; elaborate and/or adjust methodological tools and implement within a given timeframe.

Language:

• Fluency in Portuguese and English both spoken and written;
• Fluency in the local language spoken in Gaza is desirable.

Application Package, Submission Process and Deadlines  

The application package consists of the following items:

• P11 & CV;
• Cover letter explaining why the candidate considers her/himself the most suitable for the work (maximum 250 words);
• Proposal of methodology  (maximum 500 words);
• Proposed fee for the work (lumpsum) - with travel costs to Gaza included and not - and an indication if the rate is negotiable.

The complete application package required is as follows: (please note that the online system to apply for this consultancy will only accept one document to be uploaded and applicants are advised to create one document in word and insert all the below requested documents into one document).

UN Women regrets its inability to respond individually to all candidates. Only shortlisted and recommended candidates will be further contacted.