UN WOMEN Jobs - 86119- Consultant to conduct Mapping of Viable Economic A

Consultant to conduct Mapping of Viable Economic Activities for Women with Disabilities, Women Living with HIV and AIDS (WLHA), Young Women and Out of School Adolescents, Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Obstetric Fistula

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2019

Application Deadline :

12-Jul-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 Malawi Spotlight initiative is grounded on the core rallying principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first. During the first phase of the initiative, and in alignment with government’s own commitment to the SDGs, effort will be made to identify the groups furthest behind on key targets such as reproductive health, empowerment, and economic activity. The ‘left behinds’ in the context of Malawi include persons with disabilities, persons with albinism, stigmatized HIV-positive persons, the LGBTI community, refugees, prisoners, and widows. However, further and deeper investigations will be conducted to identify other population groups that face multiple and intersecting discriminations. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is an egregious human rights violation that cuts across all countries and cultures. It hinders the achievement of women and girls’ human rights and their abilities to live and love and reach their full potential in safety and dignity. Eliminating VAWG and achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is, therefore, a pre-requisite to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

One of the core focuses of the Spotlight Initiative is reaching the furthest behind first with integrated SRHR, HIV, and VAWG services in a multi-sectoral manner, using the essential services package in the six districts. Special focus will be on strengthening the provision of the essential services package and on awareness raising to create demand for women and girls so that they are informed and empowered to exercise their rights.

The Spotlight Initiative will implement an economic empowerment programme, which aims to support women to become more involved in the design and use of equipment and tools and to engender delivery mechanisms. A few years back, UN Women, in partnership with Barefoot College in India, trained illiterate older women from select African countries as solar engineers, who then provided their communities with access to electricity. As evidenced by the projects end-line survey, the programme had a profound indirect impact on women’s agency and influence in their respective communities. Such innovative initiatives will make sustainable and affordable power supply systems available for lighting homes, schools, streets, clinics, and information/communication centres. They can also facilitate the introduction of a series of labour saving appliances, both productive and leisure- related, of interest to girls, women, children, men, and boys. The Spotlight Initiative will build on UN Women’s experience to train rural women from the six Spotlight districts; Mzimba, Nkhata Bay, Ntchisi, Dowa, Nsanje, and Machinga to conduct solar installations.

Energy poverty is not gender-neutral. Men and women are affected differently by energy policies due to their varying roles at home, communities and work places. Women are limited in their ability to participate in the energy value chain or establish and manage viable enterprises owing to deep rooted social and cultural discrimination, and a range of other issues, such as: restricted mobility, time poverty (primarily because of the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work), lack of safety in public spaces and workplaces, difficulty in accessing finance, information and markets, and limited access to education and training. As entrepreneurs, women could play a significant role in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Based on this background, the UN in Malawi wishes to engage a consultant to identify viable economic activities to strengthen economic empowerment of Women with Disabilities, WLHA, Young Women and Out of School Adolescents, Survivors of SGBV and Obstetric Fistula, in each of the six districts. The mapping exercise should inform the viability of solar panel installations and training of women in the installation of solar panels in their districts, as well as prospective partners and beneficiaries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and present an inception report demonstrating a clear understanding of the TORs, with details on the methodology and timeline for completing the assignment
Conduct a literature review of all relevant documents (both local and international) on evidence informed strategies, structures and mechanisms for effective economic activities to strengthen economic empowerment of Women with Disabilities, WLHA, Young Women and Out of School Adolescents, Survivors of SGBV and Obstetric Fistula, including through power supply
Undertake mapping of viable economic activities to strengthen economic empowerment of Women with Disabilities, WLHA, Young Women and Out of School Adolescents, Survivors of SGBV and Obstetric Fistula in the six Spotlight districts.
Identify solutions for solar panel installations and prospective partners
Draft a strategic plan for training of vulnerable women in solar panel installation
Create and present a strategy and report on the mapping exercise

Deliverables of the Assignment

Inception report demonstrating a clear understanding of the TOR with detailed roadmap on the methodology and timeline for completing the assignment
Draft report, clearly outlining opportunities and challenges for livelihood and business development, for the economic empowerment of Women with Disabilities, WLHA, Young Women and Out of School Adolescents, Survivors of SGBV and Obstetric Fistula
Draft strategic plan for training of vulnerable women in solar panel installations
Disseminate a strategy and final report on mapping exercise

Competencies

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

Required Skills and Experience

Masters’ degree or equivalent in Programme Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Gender or a related field is required
Minimum of 7 years’ experience in evidence-based program development and management
Good knowledge in Policy, Strategy and operational planning, formulation and development
Technical knowledge and experience in implementation of programmes focusing on gender equality and economic empowerment of women and girls, specifically for vulnerable groups, at both national and local level is required.
Experience in working directly with economic empowerment of women and girls, with a specific focus on entrepreneurship and business skills.
Knowledge of power supply challenges and solutions is desirable, with a specific focus on solar panel installations.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently as well as part of a team