UN WOMEN Jobs - 69707- Assessment of Data Availability and Methodology fo

Assessment of Data Availability and Methodology for Cost of the Gender Gap in Agricultural Productivity Analysis in Ethiopia and Rwanda

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Nairobi (Off-site), KENYA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

16-Dec-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 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

Agriculture continues to be the backbone of the economies of most countries in Africa. Empirical evidence shows that women represent over half of the agricultural labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa (UNEP, UN Women, PBSO and UNDP, 2013). Women’s substantive contribution to agriculture and their vital role in ensuring family food security have been widely documented; however, gender-based inequalities in access to and control of productive and financial resources inhibit agricultural productivity and undermine resilience and sustainability efforts.

The agricultural sector is further challenged by re-occurring stresses and shocks caused by environmental degradation, natural resource depletion and climatic variations that impact productivity for both men and women farmers. However, due to the gender gaps in the sector climatic variations disproportionately increase the challenges faced by women and other marginalized farmers.

To provide specific evidence of the links between women’s empowerment, sustainable agricultural production and economic growth, UN Women Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO), the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI) Africa, and the World Bank in 2015 undertook a joint study 'Costing the Gender Gap in Agricultural Productivity in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda’.

The report provides a unique quantification of the costs in terms of lost growth opportunities and an estimate of what societies, economies and communities would gain were the gender gaps in agricultural productivity to be addressed. The detailed methodology including data requirements used for the 2015 cost of the gender gap report is presented in Annex A.

The data that was used in the 2015 cost of the gender gap report was from the World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Study—Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (http://go.worldbank.org/BCLXW38HY0). Specifically, the analysis used data from Malawi’s third Integrated Household Survey collected in 2010/11, the second wave of the Tanzanian National Panel Survey collected in 2010/11, and the 2011/12 wave of the Uganda National Panel Survey. These surveys are nationally representative and link welfare, agriculture, and income.

In summary, to undertake a cost of the gender gap analysis the following data needs to be available:

Data that is disaggregated at the plot level and contain information on which member of the household makes agricultural decisions about each of the plots cultivated by the household;
Data on the size and productivity level of the plots. Agricultural productivity is estimated in terms of cross value output (in local currency) per unit of land (in hectares);
Data on the median crop sale value per appropriate unit in the respective enumeration area;
All macro level statistics, such as agricultural GDP and national GDP, are obtained from the World Development Indicators;
Data on the multiplier between the agricultural sector and the rest of the economy to be obtained from economy wide models for each country;
Data on plot manager attributes (e.g. experience and education), plot characteristics, agricultural technology and input use and crop choice.

Duties and Responsibilities

Inspired by the cost of the gender gap report, Ethiopia and Rwanda have expressed interest in conducting similar analysis in 2016/2017 with support from UN Women ESARO and the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative.

The objective of this consultancy assignment is to assess and analyse the data availability and the possibility to undertake a cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity analysis in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Informed by the data assessment, the consultant will advise if a similar methodology to that used in the 2015 report can be applied in Ethiopia and Rwanda. The consultant will propose any potential methodological modifications, adjustments or complementary research designs and analytical tools required in order to quantifying and obtaining estimates for the cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity in Ethiopia and Rwanda.

The consultant will report directly to Economic Empowerment Advisor, UN Women Eastern and Southern Africa Region and UNEP-UNDP PEI Africa Manager. The consultant will undertake the assignment in close coordination with the UN Women and PEI country teams. In case of country missions, the UN Women and PEI country teams will jointly facilitate the organization of meetings with relevant stakeholders and assist with access to country level data and reports and other logistical arrangements as required.

The outputs from this assignment will be jointly owned by UNDP-UNEP PEI and UN Women.

Methodology:

The consultant will:

Carry out a home-based review of existing nationally representative data sets and assess and analyse if the available data is sufficient to undertake a cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity analysis. Some of the available datasets are listed in Annex 2;
To complement the review of the available datasets the consultant will undertake a mission of maximum five working days/country to verify the data and if required obtain access to additional datasets. Prior to the mission identified data gaps and issues to be addressed in-country should be shared with the UN Women and PEI country teams;?
Depending on the data availability, the consultant will suggest modifications, adjustments or complementary research designs and analytical tools to help in quantifying and obtaining estimates for the gender gap in agricultural productivity in the new countries.

The assignment will include two (2) missions one to the respective country (Rwanda and Ethiopia) of maximum 5 working days per country.

Deliverables:

Inception report outlining how the consults understands the work, the proposed work plan and methodology for the assignment, Following the submission of the inception report a Skype meeting will be scheduled to discuss the approach.

Draft report based on the home-based analysis outlining the data assessment and analysis undertaken for the two countries including outline of;

Potential data gaps;
Proposed modifications, adjustments or complementary research designs and analytical tools to help in quantifying and obtaining estimates for the gender gap in agricultural productivity in countries were existing data differs from the type of data used in the 2015 analysis;
Final report incorporating and addressing comments received on the draft report and incorporating information obtained during the mission.

Submission of the data sets compiled to be used for the cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity analysis.

Competencies

Core Values/Guiding Principles

Integrity:

Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies

Ethics and Values:

Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation:

Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams:

Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work with diverse stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the compiled data set;
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks effectively as part of a team;
Excellent communication and facilitation skills;
Strong understanding of statistical programming;
A demonstrated ability (through previous similar assignments) to analyze, compile and synthesize data and information in coherent and succinct formats;
Comprehensive knowledge of gender, agriculture and environment would be preferred.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum a post graduate degree (master degree; PhD will be an asset) in agricultural economics, economics, statistics or other related field.

Experience:

At least 5-7 years of professional experience with proven substantive relevant experience working with large data sets or other applied research; first-hand experience with using the LSMS-ISA data set is a bonus;
Previous experience with gender disaggregated data and decomposition analysis preferred, experience with such analyses of the agricultural sector is an advantage;
Familiarity and previous working experience in Africa is an asset.

Language:

Proficiency in written and spoken English.