UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.  

Under the SDG Fund, UN Women is a participating UN agency in the Joint Programme ‘Leaving No One Behind, Building Resilience and Improving Livelihoods of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs) in Suriname.’  The programme is expected to have a positive impact on the quality of life and the inclusivity of the Indigenous of Tribal Peoples in Suriname and aims to contribute to building resilience and to addressing the multi-dimensional vulnerabilities of ITPs, which have been exacerbated by COVID-19.

The Programme will also support closing policy gaps and bringing policies into alignment with the International Conventions, Treaties and Agreements on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples such as the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of 2007 (UNDRIP), and the outcome document of the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. This is all in-line with the “Leave No One Behind” principle and contributes to the achievement and acceleration of SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 16 and 17. The interrelated nature of the SDGs means that all Goals will be influenced by the implementation of this Joint Programme.

This Joint Programme contributes to the achievement of the Outcome 3 of the upcoming United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UN MSDCF) 2022-2026: “National Governments and Regional Institutions use relevant data and information to guide and inform design and adopt laws and policies to eliminate discrimination, address structural inequalities and ensure the advancement of those at risk of being left furthest behind and aims to contribute to accelerate the achievement of this outcome and related SDGs”. This Outcome falls under the UN MSDCF’s Priority Area 2: Equality, Well-Being and Leaving No One Behind.

 When successfully implemented, the Programme will result in:

• Strengthened policy and regulatory framework to improve inclusion and resilience of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs);

• Improved public health policy and coverage to 75% of ITPs including public health measures and COVID-19 response and recovery, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (W.A.S.H.); and

• Improved livelihoods and enhanced food security in 50% of the targeted ITPs communities by 2024.

The objectives include the development of a comprehensive and sustainable livelihoods and enhanced food security programme to create income-generating opportunities for ITPs both for restorative livelihoods and to accelerate progress towards the SDGs as it regards poverty and hunger, equity, inclusion and resilience by reducing the economic and services gaps between ITPs and the rest of Surinamese. Consequently, this component is meant to support target communities restart or find new, sustainable and resilient, income-generating activities, develop financial resilience, and safeguard food production and food security. The assignment will also address gender equality, inclusivity and discriminatory practices in accessing services and resources within key government sectors and financial institutions.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

In the development of the empowerment and gender mainstreaming interventions, the Consultant will be required to assess and analyse the situation and context, negotiate agreements and partnerships with community-based organisations and community groups, facilitate consultations with stakeholders to inform the programme design, and manage and deliver the programme to selected communities and groups.

CONSULTANT’S DELIVERABLES

Inception Report and Desk Review

• Develop a detailed project plan and work plan to carry out the assignment which should include a contextual overview and background, the proposed approach and methodology, activities and timelines, and a stakeholder analysis.
• Conduct a thorough desk review of the situational context in Suriname and within the ITP community, national legislation, relevant policies and plans, international agreements specifically Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, programme documents, existing research and assessments, and records of prior consultations.

Situational Analysis/Needs Assessment

• Design and submit a situational analysis and needs assessment tool which can be used to assess the needs of target ITP communities in partnership with community-based NGOs and groups.
• Submit the tool for review and feedback and update based on feedback received.
• Establish a working relationship with relevant organisations including VIDS and KAMPOS, in order to secure support for the dissemination and collection of data using the assessment tool.
• Establish timelines for the assessment and manage the process in collaboration with partners on the ground.

Stakeholder Consultations

• To supplement the Situational/Needs Assessment, conduct thorough and in-depth stakeholder consultations (including remote consultations) and key stakeholder interviews to understand the needs and situation of the ITPs, the legal, policy and political landscape, environmental, geographical and agricultural sector issues and challenges, the business environment and financing, and an analysis of relevant SDGs.
• Submit a Consultation Report - data collection and analysis of stakeholder consultations conducted shall be conducted and synthesized, highlighting relevant recommendations and action items.

Development and delivery of a ToT livelihoods and food security programme for women farmers in ITP villages in Suriname

• Design a livelihoods and enhanced food security programme for target groups within selected communities, which is income-generating, using climate resilient and sustainable practices, using a Training of Trainers approach.
• Finalise the programme based on feedback from key stakeholders.
• Ensure buy-in from stakeholders for implementation.
• Train and support local partners to manage the delivery and execution of the programme.
• Undertake field visits to target regions/communities during the implementation of activities and to ensure inclusion and participation of stakeholders, especially the ITP community.
• In collaboration with the M&E Officer responsible for the Joint SDG Fund Programme – Suriname, support monitoring of the implementation using FPIC guidelines.

Conduct gender mainstreaming and inclusivity sensitisation workshops for Government and Non-governmental organisations, and financing institutions.

• Design a training and sensitisation workshop including gender mainstreaming, addressing discriminatory practices and SDG localization which can be used to support increased access to services and economic resources.
• Finalise the workshop design based on feedback from key stakeholders.
• Deliver at least 2 workshops to identified stakeholder groups in IFIs and Government.

Final Report

• Prepare a Final Report/Close-Out which includes:
  1. A Review of project objectives,
  2. Summary of project objectives,
  3. Lessons Learned; and
  4. Benefits realization.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Multi-Country Office - Caribbean Representative, the Consultant will report to the Planning and Coordination Specialist (Trinidad and Tobago).

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism;

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.
• Results Oriented

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Integrity and Fairness: 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. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• 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.

Experience:

• At least 10 years relevant professional experience in developing and managing economic resilience, livelihoods, food security, and community development programmes or related interventions is required.

• Demonstrated experience in facilitation, stakeholder engagement, multi-sectoral coordination, and reporting and technical writing is required.

• Experience working within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) or with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) would be considered an asset.

• Experience working with indigenous and tribal communities, or marginalised and vulnerable groups is required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as proven experience in people management and networking skills.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Sustainable Development, Gender, Human Rights, Public or Social Policy, Economics, or closely related fields.

LOCATION AND DURATION

• The consultancy will be home-based however travel will be required to Suriname for the implementation phase of activities.
• The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 60 working days during the period 24 April 2023 – 30 November 2023.

REMUNERATION

• The consultancy fee will be negotiated before contracting. Each payment will be based on a predefined and formal agreement between UN Women and the consultant and will be disbursed based on satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.

• The remuneration for this contract type is an all-inclusive fee, the organization will not be liable for additional cost or benefits.  Hence, it is the responsibility of the consultant to take out adequate medical insurance for the duration of the contract and it is recommended that the policy includes coverage for COVID-19 related illness.   The medical coverage should be global to be applicable when the contract requires missions or international assignment.

• If selected for this vacant post, proof of medical coverage should be presented within the first two months of the contract.

HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND COMMUNICATION:

• The consultant must be equipped with a fully functional laptop, which must comfortably run Office 365 programs, using operating systems Microsoft Windows 10/11, or Mac OS X 10.11 or upward. The consultant must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based (Skype or equivalent) is required.

REFERENCES:

• Minimum of three client references that include the name of the contact person, title and contact information.
• Interviews will be conducted with the shortlisted applicants.

Note:

Submissions to UNDP Jobs are limited to a maximum of 10 MB, virus-free or corrupted contents to avoid rejection, and no more than 1 email transmission.   All applications must be submitted through UNDP jobs.  Please do not send applications to UN Women staff as they will not be accepted. 

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, colour, 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).