UN WOMEN Jobs - 18335- International Expert for providing support in mobi

International Expert for providing support in mobilization of rural women for self-help in Uzbekistan

Publié pour le compte de

UN WOMEN

Lieu :

Tashkent, OUZBEKISTAN

Type de contrat :

Individual Contract

Date de commencement :

20-Aug-2010

Date limite de candidature :

19-Aug-10 (Minuit New York, États-Unis)

Niveau du poste :

International Consultant

Durée du contrat initial

26 working days

Langues requises :

Anglais Russe

Durée prévue de la mission :

Le PNUD s’engage à recruter un personnel divers en termes de genre, de nationalité et de culture. Nous encourageons de même les personnes issues des minorités ethniques, des communautés autochtones ou handicapées à postuler. Toutes les candidatures seront traitées dans la plus stricte confidentialité. Le PNUD ne tolère pas l’exploitation et / ou les atteintes sexuelles, ni aucune forme de harcèlement, y compris le harcèlement sexuel, et / ou toutes formes de discrimination. Tous/tes les candidats/tes selectectionnes /ées devront ainsi se soumettre à de rigoureuses vérifications relatives aux références fournies ainsi qu’à leurs antécédents.

Historique

UNIFEM CIS Sub-regional office (UNIFEM CIS SRO) is providing support to the efforts of the Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan through the project ‘Promote Women’s Economic Rights in Uzbekistan’ with the main objective to strenthen economic and social status of rural women in Uzbekistan through:
mobilizing efforts of rural communities in addressing economic and social challenges for ensuring rights based and gender responsive development and increase in living standards of rural women;
enhancing capacities of the Centres for Social and Legal Support in providing consultative and information assistance to rural women, thus, ensuring access to economic and financial resources.
The project focuses on rural women empowerment for self-help and self-reliance leading to the improvement of women’s social status and economic well-being of rural families in Uzbekistan. The project also aims at facilitation of the efforts of the Women Committee of Uzbekistan on enhancing capacities of the Centers for Social and Legal Support (Regional and District) for effective assistance to gender responsive community development. Under the project’s support the Centers will expand its functions by providing trainings and information to women on a wide range of social and economic issues. The Centers will be trained on new approaches based on participatory principles, social mobilization, which will allow rural women to take part in development processes and to address existing challenges together.

In order to strengthen effectiveness of the Centers and “equip” them with new knowledge and techniques on social mobilization and micro crediting for poor, UNIFEM CIS plans to subcontract the Team of International Experts on Micro-crediting and Social Mobilization for Self-Help. The team of International Experts will support adaptation of international experience on social mobilization and micro crediting for poor to the situation in Uzbekistan, by focusing at the following priority directions:

Mobilization of Rural Women in Self-Help Groups (SHG) for the empowerment of poor rural women to gain mutual solidarity and get access to micro crediting through the Village Revolving Fund. Support to access to micro crediting will be accompanied by an extensive training and economic skills development for rural women, ensuring obtain of knowledge for successful use of micro credits and its subsequent repayment.
Establishment of the Village Revolving Fund under the auspices of the Centers for Social and Legal Support, managed and administered by the Women’s Committee.

The International Expert will work under the guidance of the UNIFEM CIS SRO in Almaty and in close collaboration with the staff of the Women’s Committee in Uzbekistan and Expert on Revolver Funds, and will be tasked to provide technical assistance to the joint partnership initiative of UNIFEM and the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan on mobilising rural women in self-help group.The International Expert will elaborate the methodology for mobilization of self-help groups, specifically adapted to the realities of Uzbekistan. This methodology will be then transmitted to the existing local NGO in Uzbekistan, who will support the Centers in the process of self-help groups’ mobilization, strengthening community level capacities as well as enabling mobilised villagers to make decisions that impact their lives.

Key Deliverables and Timeframe

International Expert on Social Mobilization:

Analysis of the situation and defining the opportunities for adaptation of social mobilization approach for the realities of Uzbekistan (5 days);Training module for Training of Trainers (TOT) on Social Mobilization which is based on the findings of the analysis and adjustment of methods of social mobilization to self-help group development in the realities of Uzbekistan. The Module contains both training programme and handouts for participants. During the TOT the draft Guide on Social Mobilization will be discussed for further adjustment and finalization with the inputs from the TOT participants. The training on social mobilization will be held in close linkages with the training on micro crediting (3 days for the design of the Module and 5 days for conducting the TOT);
The Guide on Social mobilization that contains methodology for mobilizing self-help groups of rural women for joint economic activities and getting access to micro crediting services. The focus of social mobilisation approach is made at building a spirit of mutual help; fostering solidarity for undertaking joint activities for the benefit of the members of SHG, increase their livelihoods and well-being. Some of the skills will be related to creation of credit and saving system within groups, training for self-help groups on different issues, including savings and credit, group dynamic and mutual trust, book-keeping, business planning etc. Specific attention to be made on fostering the culture of internal savings is also important element of successful SHG through which the SHG members will have an opportunity to exercise the principles of financial management (5 days);
Follow up couching of trained mobilizers. After the TOT and the finalization of the Guide the International Expert will plan and undertake the series of couching sessions to provide mobilizers with guidance as of needed basis (7 days);
Report containing analysis and proper documentation of the experience on introducing SHG mobilization approach in Uzbekistan (1 day).

Devoirs et responsabilités

International Expert on Social Mobilization:

Undertake desk review of the situation in Uzbekistan in relation to community development and activism. Define the opportunities for social mobilization of poor women and creation, including the review of the role of the Centers on Social and Legal Support (Republican and District) in social mobilization;
Based on the findings of the review adapt the existing methodologies for social mobilization to the realities of Uzbekistan. The adapted methodology should be structured in the form of the Guide for Social Mobilization and the Training Module to train the trainers, who can carry on social mobilization process in selected communities;
Conduct the TOT for the group of local trainers and the staff of the Centers on Social and Legal Support? development and poverty reduction of self-help groups. Facilitate the process of creation of self-help groups in selected pilot villages;
Provide initial coaching to the trained group of trainers on the process of group mobilization, group skills development for establishing leadership and management system of SHGs for further getting access to micro-crediting schemes;
Finalise the Guide based on the results of TOT and coaching process for handing over it to the group of community mobilizers;
Prepare the report on the process of adaptation and use of social mobilization approach in the selected communities;
Reporting to the UNFIEM CIS SRO for implementation of the deliverables? set under the present ToR.

Compétences

Functional Competencies

Possess in-depth knowledge of the issues of women's rights, gender equality and gender mainstreaming;
Excellent communication and writing skills in English and preferably in Russian;
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
Ability to deal with multiple constituencies and represent the UN/UNIFEM to major donors, different government agencies, partners and the media;
Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.

Management Competencies

A proven track record in managing and monitoring results-based and rights-based programming is required, including knowledge of results-based management approaches;
Ability to lead strategic planning, analysis, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
Proven experience of generating project documents at high professional level;
International development experience and multi-cultural exposure.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

Master degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, economics or other related field;

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of previous experience in the CIS region. Experience in working in the Republic of Uzbekistan and knowledge of the Uzbekistan context would be an asset;
At least 10 years of management and supervisory experience in programming geared to support women's economic empowerment and rights, micro-crediting in developing countries.
Particular experience in complex and multi-component cross-regional programmes is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in both written and spoken English.

Application Process
To apply, the prospective applicants should submit:

P11 form (can be downloaded from http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc)
Cover Letter, stating their interest in and qualifications for the consultancy
Kindly send your application to Olga Bespalova, HR/Procurement Assistant, UNIFEM (part of UN-Women) CIS Regional Office olga.bespalova@unifem.org before 16 August, 2010.