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 (UN Women, UNEP, PBSO and UNDP, 2013).  Women’s substantive contribution to agriculture and 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 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.

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, UN Women Kenya has expressed interest in conducting similar analysis in 2016/2017. 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 Kenya. Informed by the data assessment, the consultant will advise if a similar methodology to that used in the 2015 report can be applied in Kenya.

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 Kenya. Thereafter, if the data allows, the consultant will estimate the cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity for Kenya. 

The consultant will report directly to Deputy Country Director UN Women Kenya. The consultant will undertake the assignment in close coordination with the UN Women ESARO.  In case of country missions, the Team Leader, Social Economic Development for UN Women, Kenya will 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 consultant will be trained in the costing methodology through collaboration with an international expert.

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;
• 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. If the data allows, the consultant will estimate the cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity and the benefits of closing it. The consultant will be collaborate on the costing methodology with a global expert. The costing should include:
  • Estimate the monetary value of the gender gap in agricultural productivity in terms of GDP foregone and the costs associated with gender gaps in access to individual agricultural inputs;
  • Estimate the benefits of closing the gender gaps in terms of people lifted out of poverty, increase in crop production and in total and agriculture GDP.

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 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;
• Estimated costing of the gender gap in agricultural productivity and the benefits of closing it for Kenya with all draft results presented in tables and figures as well as thorough technical description of the analysis carried out including calculations and data sets to inform the final report;
• Final report and costing of the gender gap incorporating and addressing comments received on the draft report and incorporating all information obtained;
• Submission of the data sets compiled to be used for the cost of the gender gap in agricultural productivity analysis.

Competencies

Core values:

• Integrity- Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
• Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity- Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its workforce; demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity;
• Professionalism - Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Core Competencies:

• Ethics and Values- Demonstrate and promote ethics and integrity by creating organizational precedents;
• Organizational Awareness- Build support for the organization and ensure political acumen;
• Development and Innovation- Support staff competence development, and contribute to an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Conflict Management- Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution;
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making-Ensure fair and transparent decision making processes and manage risk.

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; 
• Comprehensive knowledge of gender, agriculture and environment would be preferred;
• Strong understanding of statistical programming;
• A demonstrated ability (through previous similar assignments) to analyse, compile and synthesize data and information in coherent and succinct formats.

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:

• Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience with proven substantive relevant experience in 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.

Language:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Application procedure: Candidates that had previously applied for this position are requested not to apply.