UNDP Jobs - 19867- Consultant: Gender & Statistics Specialist

Consultant: Gender & Statistics Specialist

Location :

Monrovia, LIBERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2010

Application Deadline :

09-Nov-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months

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 Liberia (GoL) has expressed a strong commitment to gender equality as a means for maintaining peace, reducing poverty, enhancing justice, and promoting development . In the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), gender features as a cross cutting theme. In 2009, the GoL launched the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN SCR 1325 (LNAP) and the National Gender Policy (NGP), which are landmark achievements and provide clear directions for gender equality promotion at the national and sub-national levels. The GoL has also acknowledged the challenges to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality, the absence of sex-disaggregated data, in particular qualitative data, from which to develop evidence-based policy on the impact of government policies and programmes on women and men among others.

The critical significance of sex-disaggregated data, hence the institutional capacity has once again been underscored in the National Gender Policy and strategic actions have been outlined to overcome the data gap. The Ministry of Gender and Development (MoGD), with the assistance of UNDP, has engaged in an effort to develop a framework and methodology for generation and use of sex-disaggregated data (qualitative and quantitative) and analysis to ensure effective gender mainstreaming in the national development policies and interventions. In the process, the capacity of key institutions, such as LISGIS, MoPEA and MoGD in developing and using sex-disaggregated data, gender analysis/statistics will be enhanced. The post of Gender and Statistics Specialist (Consultant) has been created to assist the MoGD to facilitate the development of a framework and methodology and the necessary technical expertise of relevant government entities to undertake gender responsive data collection and analysis and to provide inputs for policy development for gender equality.

The Gender and Statistics Specialist will be responsible for the provision of technical expertise, advice and inputs to develop the framework and methodology for gender responsive data collection and analysis.

Objective of the assignment:

Under the overall directives of the Minister, MoGD and the day to day supervision and guidance of the Deputy Minister, Policy and Research and UNDP Senior Gender Advisor, and in close co-operation with the LISGIS, the Gender and Statistics Specialist will provide technical leadership to develop framework and methodology for collecting sex-disaggregated data, establish current data gap and help develop capacity of relevant institutions including LISGIS, MoGD and MoPEA.

Duties and Responsibilities

Process and methods in undertaking the assignment

Under the guidance of the Deputy Minister, Policy and Research MoGD and UNDP Gender Advisor the consultant shall carry out the assignment in line with the scope of the assignment as formulated above. The consultant shall adopt a consultative and inclusive approach. S/he will be required to interact with senior government officials, ministers, UN entities and representatives of Civil Society Organisations; promote synergies with other relevant UN(DP) interventions; establish a feedback mechanism and keep the MoGD, LISGIS and other relevant stakeholders abreast of progress at all time; the consultant will be working in close collaboration with the research team of MoGD.

Scope of the assignment

The consultant shall work in close co-ordination with MoGD, LISGIS and MoPEA and perform the following tasks.

Make an inventory of available data relevant to the understanding of the status of women and gender equality and establish data gap in sectors directly related to the strategic priority areas as stipulated in the NGP;
Establish base-line and present analysis to the MoGD, LISGIS, MoPEA and other relevant partners for possible policy shift.
Outline sector specific data gap and offer solutions to meeting the gaps;
Draft and finalise report (a reference material/reference book) based on available sex-disaggregated data and analysis provided.
Develop a framework and methodology for sex-disaggregated data generation;
Make an analysis of the adequacy of existing data collection methodologies to contribute to a greater understanding of the (differential) position of women and men;
Establish key indicators for new gender responsive data collection methodology;
Develop new data collection methodologies that will facilitate inclusion of data required for gender responsive analysis;
Undertake consultations and field test of and finalise the methodology in light with the responses/feedback received from the field;
Prepare guidelines as to how the methodology/framework shall be used/implemented;
Train staff of relevant ministries/agencies in gender analysis and usage of new methods of data collection;
Train in, facilitate and guide the process of analysis of sex disaggregated data;
Make recommendations as to what follow-up actions are required and mechanism to be put in place for the sustainability of the knowledge generated and use of the framework/methodology developed;
Undertake any other related tasks that ese of the consultancy;

Output of the assignment

In the course of the assignment, the consultant shall produce the outputs as formulated under the Scope of the assignment:

A framework and methodology for sex-disaggregated data collection and gender analysis;
and guidelines on how to use and implement the methodology/framework;
A base-line on sex-disaggregated data and gender statistics (ready reference/reference material);
Training plan, modules, report on the training in gender analysis and usage of new methods of data collection provided to ministries/agencies’ (LISGIS, MoPEA, MoGD) staff;
An interim report (3 months into the assignment) and a final report with recommendations at the end of the assignment;

Competencies

The The Gender and Statistics Specialist (consultant) must meet the below requirements:

Proven skills and attitude to handle diversity and cultural sensitivities in addressing gender
issues;
Proven ability to facilitate policy dialogue and convene high level consultations/meetings;
Knowledge and understanding of post conflict environment and development challenges in Liberia;
Ability to work independently, under pressure and meeting tight multiple deadlines with minimum supervision;
Ability to operate in team and adjust in new environment;
Fluency in spoken and written English;
Report writing and documentation skills;
Computer proficiency: MS Office applications, Statistical software.

Required Skills and Experience

The Gender and Statistics Specialist Consultant shall have the following qualifications:

Master’s degree with a major in Statistics, covering Gender and Development—policy development and methodology at least as minors;
Minimum 7 years of experience in the field of gender statistics and statistical data-aided policy development;
Knowledge and practical didactic- and training experience in the combined area of data collection, analysis and gender;
Positive experience and skills for capacity building and knowledge transfer;