Background

A. UN Women´s Mandate related to the Project

The work of the UN Women on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is governed by a series of commitments on the rights of women. These include United Nations Security Council (UNSC) landmark Resolution 1325 (2000) and nine successive resolutions[1] - as well as the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) including the CEDAW General Recommendation No. 30 on conflict prevention, conflict, and post-conflict situations.

UN Women supports women’s full and equal representation and participation in all levels of peace processes and security efforts. Enhancing women’s engagement for sustainable peace requires an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses conflict prevention, resolution, and recovery, while strengthening national accountability and ensuring women’s protection from all forms of human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence. In order to achieve transformative change, UN Women works in the following areas: (1) increasing women’s meaningful participation in formal, and informal peace negotiations; (2) promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding and recovery planning, women’s economic empowerment within recovery efforts, and the establishment of gender responsive post-conflict institutions; (3) increasing women’s participation and safety in peacekeeping; (4) ending impunity conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence; (5) promoting a gender-sensitive approach to preventing and countering violent extremism; and (6) creating an enabling environment for the implementation of national commitments to women, peace and security (including the implementation of National Action Plans on WPS). In addition, UN Women promotes research initiatives, data collection, learning exchanges, and documentation of good practices on women, peace, and security to inform policy and programming.

The actions of UN Women in Mozambique are aligned with two strategic objectives: 1) Consolidate national unity, peace and sovereignty and 2) Develop human and social capital in accordance with the government´s National Plan for the Advancement of Women and the National Action Plan for the Advancement of Women and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2022) (NAP). The project is part of the larger UN Women portfolio on Women, Peace and Security, humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction and is being implemented within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 and it is also expected to contribute towards the achievement of the Mozambican Five-Year Government Programme as well as the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

B. Context in Mozambique

Following the 1992 Peace Accords between the government of Mozambique and the former rebel movement National Mozambican Resistance (RENAMO), Mozambique enjoyed nearly 20 years of relative peace and stability. This allowed for significant democratic advances in the country, including gender equality and women's empowerment.

Since the ratification of the CEDAW in 1997 and the adoption of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as well as the gender equality as a constitutional principle, Mozambique has made significant progress at political, legal and institutional level. The main milestones include the adoption of a Gender National Policy and its Implementation Strategy, the National Plan for the Advancement of Women, a Law on Domestic Violence Against Women (29/2009),  the National Council for Women's Advancement, represented at both provincial and district level, the adoption and implementation of an integrated multi-sectoral approach to assist victims of violence against women, National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security, and the approval of the Law  to Prevent and Combat Premature Unions (19/2019).

Women's participation in politics has increased over time. Mozambique has had six general elections (1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019) and five municipal elections (1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018, and the mid-term elections of Nampula in 2017). Presidential, legislative, and assembly elections for provincial councils took place in October 2019.  As a result of the general election in 2019 elections, women make 41.2 per cent of MPs (103 out of 250) and at local level as a result of the 2018 elections there are 6 presidents’ women out of 53 presidents of municipal councils (11.3%), and 8 are represented as Presidents of the Municipal Assemblies (15,1%). The Speaker of Parliament has been a woman in the last 3 lesgislative cycles  (2009, 2014, 2019). At national level, women’s participation over all sectors of government reached 32.4% in 2016. [2] However, progress has not been enough to challenge deeply rooted sociocultural norms such as discrimination against women, lack of education especially in rural areas and, limited participation in public spaces.  

The political situation remains fragile with demobilization and reintegration of former rebel armed forces following cease fire between the Government and the RENAMO reached in March 2018 and part of the recently definitive peace agreement and comprehensive Peace and Reconciliation Agreement by the Government and RENAMO in August 2019. However, internal disputes in Renamo contributed to the formation of a breakaway self-proclaimed “Junta Militar”, which has escalated armed attacks in the country’s central provinces of Sofala and Manica. In addition, since 2017, the province of Cabo Delgado (in north of Mozambique-one of the provinces with a growing extractive industry) has suffered attacks perpetrated by armed group said to be linked to extremist religious groups, resulting in social instability. Although there is at times the appearance of stability, there is high probability that these attacks and violent extremism will persist, given the fact that the purpose and provenience of these group is still rather unexplained, and they remain active in the northern region of Mozambique.

Given that the country currently faces an immensely sensitive political, economic, and humanitarian situation, this scenario is likely to further undermine the prospects of achievement of gender equality by 2030. While political-military tensions as well as the increasing violent extremism in the northern region threaten the already precarious peace and security of women and girls in Mozambique.  In addition, other factors, such as macroeconomic instability, health crises (including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, etc), natural disasters and the emergence of conflicts, further threatens the peace and security of women. Women continue to suffer physical and psychological harm from both armed and other conflicts, economic exclusion, environmental degradation, and masculinised politics and militarism, which have only compounded gendered insecurity. These harms are generally not accompanied by a reparation process that includes the provision of opportunities for social, phycological and economic recovery after the conflict.

II. Description of the Project

[1] UN Res. 1820, 1888, 1889, 1960, 2106, 2122, 2242, 2467 and 2493

[2] Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action, 2016

Duties and Responsibilities

III. Purpose

The overall objective of the baseline study is to establish baseline information on all the Project indicators as indicated in the Project logic framework and design a clear monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan that will guide project tracking. The baseline will provide progress information on key indicators and serve as a benchmark for assessing the changes that will be brought about by the project interventions. Where necessary, the baseline data should also help to review indicator targets to make them achievable and realistic and then determine and adjust progress towards these targets and their respective results.

The intended end users of this baseline study are UN Women project management, UN Women country office and regional senior management; the donor of the project, UN Women’s main partners (including the national government and the provincial governments); implementing partners as well as other development partners and stakeholders engaged  in the implementation of the project and the   promotion of WPS agenda in Mozambique.

IV. Scope of Work

The project will geographically focus on the central and northern regions of Mozambique while fostering an enabling environment at the national and regional levels. More specifically, the project will be directly implemented in 4 provinces in the central and northern regions of Mozambique; namely, in 9 districts in Cabo Delgado (3) [1], Nampula (2) [2], Sofala (3) and Manica (1) (namely, Pemba, Montepuez, Ancuabe/Metuge, Chiure, Meconta, Nhamatanda, Cheringoma, Chibabava, and Barue districts).

The baseline study is expected to cover all the districts targeted by the project. The Consultant is expected to provide a detailed methodology and plan of how the study will be executed.

The baseline is expected to generate comprehensive gender-sensitive qualitative and quantitative gender disaggregated data that will be analyzed to determine the value of each outcome/output indicator at the project start according to the project result matrix. These values will serve as a benchmark to inform the monitoring and evaluation of how much progress implementing partners are making towards the project outcomes and impact.

The main recommended phases of the study include:

1. Inception and planning phase

i. Conduct a desk review to understand project rationale, design and context and produce inception report for carrying out the baseline.

ii. Develop the study methodology including tools and execution plan: Provide a detailed methodology indicating sampling frameworks/tools and techniques to be employed. Note that the baseline is expected to also generate quantitative and qualitative information about the socio-economic context of the country or the target provinces, profiles of internally displaced women and girls and provide information on socio-cultural norms and practices that affect GEWE in conflict and humanitarian settings.

1. Data Collection:  Collect the relevant data in all the target locations. The collected data should be with age and gender disaggregation where possible. All data should be collected, stored and shared in line with relevant Data Protection Policy and/or data protection practices, following ethics standards and in line with the UN Women Guidance Tool on Due Diligence and Protection[3]. The data ptotection and due diligence strategy being employed in the study should be clearly outlined in the inception report.
2. Full study report and updated Project M&E Framework: Produce first and second draft baseline study reports and organize a debriefing and incorporate feedback/comments from Project Management Team and prepare the final baseline study report in English and Portuguese.
3. Develop project M&E plan and instruments for project monitoring: A key deliverable of this assignment includes project monitoring plan and tools. The consultant shall recommend and/or develop data collection instruments in line with the project outcome/output indicators (these may include the qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, interview and/or focus group discussion guides).

The baseline study report should have:

• An executive summary

• Background (brief)

• Methodology and the process (brief)

• Data collection tools

• Data analysis process, tools used for sampling and data cleaning process

• Findings: consolidated qualitative and quantitative key data findings

• Lessons learned and recommendations for informing end line assessment, including inter alia on any adaptations needed for the methodology, data collection tools, understanding of  indicators, selection of target groups, focus on analysis among others.

V. Deliverables, Timelines and Payment Plan

VI. Management of the Baseline Study

The baseline study will be commissioned by UN Women Mozambique Country Office. The Consultant will report to the Country Representative. S/he will benefit from technical support of the UN Women Programme Specialist, UN Women Programme Officer on Women, Peace and Security (who will be the main liaison person), and UN Women M&E Officer.

[1] Specific project districts are subject to discussions with and final approve from Government partners.

[2] Specific project districts are subject to discussions with and final approve from Government partners.

[3] UN Women will be sharing its guideline on the onset of the assignment to serve as guidance and benchmark for the data ptotection and due diligence strategy to be designed and adopted in the study

Competencies

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity

• Integrity

• Professionalism

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues

• Inclusive Collaboration

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

• Ability to synthesize programme performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making

• Strong analytical skills

• Good interpersonal skills and capacity to liaise with parties concerned

• Strong facilitation, writing and presentation skills

• Excellent verbal and written English

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Portuguese is required

• Working knowledge of local languages in Mozambique is an asset.

• Experience using ICT tools to conduct assessments and reporting is required.

Interested applicants must submit

• Signed Curriculum vitae with contact details of 03 clients for whom you have rendered similar services.

• Proof of previous written work in English.

• Application with separate Resume, clearly described technical proposal and financial proposal for all anticipated activities including travel to target districts for data collection.

• Only applications with all items mentioned above will be considered.

NB: All raw data files, consent forms and relevant documentation must be returned to UN Women Mozambique before release of final payment.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY INTERESTS

The Consultant shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the assignment shall become and remain properties of UN Women.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualification

Post-Graduate degree (Masters) in development studies, statistics, gender studies, economics, social science, peace and security studies, rural development, or other related fields.

Competences and professional experience

• A strong record (minimum 7 years) in designing and leading baseline studies and/or evaluations including gender-responsive baseline studies and/or evaluations.  
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in the field of monitoring  and researching gender equality and women’s empowerment issues.
• Extensive knowledge and work experience in application of result-based management principles;
• Sound knowledge on peace and security, socioeconomic empowerment, rural development, promoting gender equality and the elimination of violence against women and girls. In addition, work experience as an asset; and Extensive knowledge of WPS agenda and Gender in Humanitarian Action is an asset

Other skills

• Sound understanding of social and cultural reality of Mozambique and the region, in particular traditional norms affecting gender equality.
• Sound understanding of the functioning of government structures in Mozambique.
• Knowledge of the national gender machinery, women’s organizations, policies, and legislation on GEWE.
• Excellent analytical skills and prior experience of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience with remote research and in emergency contexts is a strong asset.
• Fluent in English and Portuguese;

Please attach a completed P11 to your application. Kindly note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment .

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)