National consultant to undertake research to generate information that can support evidence-based planning for medium/ longer term post-conflict reconstruction programmes on gender equality

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

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. UN Women’s engagement in humanitarian action and peacebuilding is to ensure consistency and sustainability in addressing gender equality concerns across the humanitarian-development continuum. The importance of gender integration in humanitarian response, post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding is embedded in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the ground-breaking resolution that acknowledges the impact of conflict on women, and also recognizing the importance of utilizing women’s contribution and active participation in conflict prevention, peace-building and relief and recovery efforts.

UN Women has a strong mandate on gender in emergencies and ensures that humanitarian response, development and peacebuilding efforts adequately address the needs and rights of crisis affected women and girls, in all aspects. It provides evidencebased information that supports UN and other humanitarian actors, as well as member states engaged in humanitarian action, to ensure that their interventions meet both the immediate life-saving and longer-term recovery and development needs of women and girls. UN Women supports post-conflict needs assessments, post-conflict planning processes and financing frameworks that put women’s participation and concerns at the centre of recovery and peacebuilding.This offers the organization the unique opportunity to foster social change, engage national stakeholders in the planning and execution of institutional reforms to empower women and promote gender equality. UN Women seeks to achieve inclusive and gender-responsive humanitarian responses by working with governments, other UN agencies, International non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly Women-Led Organizations.

Background/Context

The conflict in Northeast Nigeria has been largely attributed to bad governance, underdevelopment, exclusion, and injustice, deeply rooted in inequalities that have systemically marginalized women and young people. Whilst humanitarian response efforts have mostly addressed the immediate survival needs of conflict-affected women and girls, basically linked to food, water, shelter and other protection requirements, the ‘strategic’ needs which provide them control over their lives and address pre-existing gender-based inequalities have received limited attention. Nonetheless, programming is required beyond ‘life-saving’ activities to include the under-lying causes of vulnerability.

Moreover, the conflict has deliberately targeted women and girls in specific and diverse ways, which have also consequently manifested in various forms of gender inequalities. The resentment and targeting of formal education by Non-Sate Armed Groups (NSAGs) has created fear among populations living in conflict-affected areas, resulting in low school enrolment and attendance, especially among girls. The large-scale kidnappings of 276 school girls in Chibok, Borno State in 2014, and over 100 girls from Dapchi in Yobe State in 2018, are typical examples of how the conflict particularly targets girl child education in North-East Nigeria. This loss of opportunity for girls and young women to gain education in order for them to develop their full potential and participate meaningfully in society has implications on gender equality upshots. The cultural and traditional practice of early marriage and early child bearing has been worsened by the conflict. The number of child brides has increased as marriage is considered a means of ‘protection’ for girls in order to ensure social security and reduce responsibilities for families. Young girls are also deliberately getting pregnant in order to avoid being abducted by NSAGs whose preference is high for virgins.These girls are further exposed to sexually transmitted infections and maternal mortality during pregnancy. In addition, women and girls who walk long distances to collect firewood and water are at risk of abduction and sexual violence, thereby limiting freedom of movement which in turn affects their livelihoods. Whilst men and boys are recruited for fighting and stand higher risk of been killed, women and girls are vulnerable to sexual violence and unwanted pregnancies. Despite grappling with the difficulties of single-motherhood, they are faced with new challenges of stigmatization when they survive and return to their communities, and these treatments are also extended to their children. These survivors quite often adopt negative coping mechanisms, including survival sex, substance abuse, and in some cases, re-joining NSAGs, even though they do not provide them the ideal environment for sustainable development.

Notably, since the inception of the conflict in 2009 and the initiation of humanitarian response, several organizations have undertaken rapid gender analyses to underscore the importance of gender differentials in the vulnerability and coping mechanisms of conflict-affected populations, as well as transformation of gender relations, in order to guide emergency response efforts. However, limited comprehensive research has been undertaken on the effects of the conflict on longer-term gender disparity, especially owing to pre-existing inequalities between men and women, boys and girls. Interventions by relief agencies also need to be examined to ascertain how they have impacted gender relations and gender equality results. More significantly, the crisis has impacted women and girls in varied ways, including increased numbers of child marriage, early pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence; which require investigation to make reasonably accurate predictions on what the average woman and adolescent girl would likely be, or be capable of doing by 2030. To this end, the complex and multi-faceted nature of the impact of the crisis and response mechanisms require a robust and comprehensive research that will unravel deep-rooted beliefs and practices that continue to undermine gender equality efforts; as well as emerging gender concerns, relations and transformations as a result of the crisis; and valuable recommendations that would amend the damage, and accelerate efforts on gender equality outcomes.

The Research is therefore specifically intended to envision or make predictions (based on evidence generated from the current realities) on what the average woman and present adolescent girl would become in the next 20 years (2030 ), which is a significant benchmark for the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals/ The 2030 Agenda. It will also provide recommendations on appropriate interventions that could be undertaken to curtail and mitigate the medium and longer term impact of the conflict on women and girls, ensuring that this critical mass is not left behind in post-conflict reconstruction and national development efforts. The Research will further identify gender transformative actions that have occurred during

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will work, under the overall guidance of the UN Women Nigeria Deputy Representative, with day-to-day reporting to the Programme Coordinator, Gender in Humanitarian at Maiduguri. He/she will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

Develop an inception report with a clearly designed and detailed methodology and data collection tools for conducting the research and share with the UN Women technical team for review

• Undertake a scoping study to identify cultural and traditional practices that have existed before the inception of the Northeast crisis, which prevent/ perpetrate gender inequalities

• Carryout an investigation to determine to what extent the conflict has influenced pre-existing gender-inequality ideologies, practices and relations, and also identify emerging ones

• Undertake an assessment of statutory laws and practices that support/hamper the promotion of gender equality actions in the Northeast • Based on research findings, propose tangible recommendations describing realistic programmatic interventions that could be adopted to reduce the gender inequality gap and improve chances for the fulfilment of the potential of the average adolescent girl and young woman in the Northeast by 2030

• Develop a Powerpoint presentation on the overall research report, focusing on findings and proposed actions and do a presentation for UN Women technical staff

• Conduct a validation workshop to share research findings with relevant stakeholders, including women’s organizationsm, the international humanitarian community; and incorporate their feedback into the research report

• Write a final research report with concrete programmatic recommendations and submit to UN Women

Usage of findings:

• The research report will be used by UN Women to develop an action plan for medium/ longer term post-conflict reconstruction programmes on gender equality in the three worst conflict affected states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) of Northeast Nigeria

• The Report will be also used as an evidence-based tool to spport advocacy efforts on gender eqality inculsions in broader Northeast post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding initiatives

Methodology

The consultant will develop a detailed methodology in the Research Inception Report to describe the research approach

Report should:

• Contain an executive summary (mandatory)
• Be analytical (both quantitative and qualitative)
• Be structured around the key tasks highlighted above and related to findings/lessons learnt
• Include key findings and good practices as well as opportunities and entry points
• Include key action points/recommendations and a strategy on the next steps

Key Deliverables

• Inception report and methodological plan, tools, coverage and time-frame of the assignment
• A documentation on cultural and traditional practices that have existed before the inception of the Northeast crisis, which prevent/ perpetrate gender inequalities
• Information on how the conflict has influenced pre-existing gender-inequality ideologies, practices and relations, as well as emerging ones
• An assessment of statutory laws and practices that support/hamper the promotion of gender equality actions in the Northeast
• A briefing session during the process of data collection
• A draft consolidated report to be submitted to UN Women for review and comments;
• A final report (maximum 25 pages) to be submitted to UN Women no later than one week after the receipt of comments on the first draft. The final output of the report should specifically address the following, among others:

1. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the existing cultural and traditional practices informing th gender context before and during the conflict; and statutory laws that support/hamper the promotion of gender equality actions in the Northeast
2. A brief analysis on how the conflict has influenced pre-existing gender-inequality ideologies, practices and relations, emerging issues
3. Tangible recommendations describing realistic programmatic interventions that could be adopted to reduce the gender inequality gap and improve chances for the fulfilment of the potential of the average adolescent girl and young woman in the Northeast by 2030

Duration and Work Schedule:

Activity

Estimated time (No. of days)

Initial consultation between the consultant and theUN Women team to agree on the assignment and development of detailed workplan

5

Inception report and methodological plan, tools and time-frame

10

Identify cultural and traditional practices that have existed before the inception of the Northeast crisis, which prevent/ perpetrate gender inequalities; carryout an investigation to determine to what extent the conflict has influenced pre-existing gender-inequality ideologies, practices and relations, and also identify emerging ones. In addition, assess statutory laws and practices that support/hamper the promotion of gender equality actions in the Northeast.

25

Preparation of draft research report and presentation of key findings and recommendations

10

Validation workshop with relevant stakeholders

1

Preparation and submission of the final report

4

Key Performance Indicators

• Inception Report
• Analysis of secondary data

• Research methodology; mapping tools (examples: matrix with key questions and means of verification, questionnaires, interview protocols, meeting programmes, focus group methodologies, etc.);

• Documented records of interviews and observations with key stakeholders.

• Presentation of findings to key stakeholders, including local women-led organizations, international humanitarian actors, including UN agencies and INGOs, national government counterparts and local authorities;
• Draft report delivered to UN Women for consideration and comments/substantive inputs;
• Final report submitted following UN Women’s review and comments.
• Enhanced understanding of the UN Women mandates in relation to advancing gender equality
• Sound experience in the use of feminist, participatory and empowering research methods.

Competencies

CORE VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES****:

• Integrity:

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.

• 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.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

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

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent knowledge of contextual gender equality literature, women’s rights, empowerment and participation in leadership and decision making
• Knowledge of the North East Nigeria humanitarian crisis, its gendered impacts and gender transformation opportunities
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Excellent networking and communication skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Full compliance with UN Women’s regulations and operating procedures
• Ability to plan work assignments and to establish priorities
• Ability to break down complex information and simplify to facilitate understanding by persons with limited literacy
• Negotiation skills and ability to work at all levels with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; capacity to recognize and respond appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Extensive experience in developing and finalizing technical documents/reportst

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree in social science, gender studies, peace and security, development or related areas of study

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional field experience in research, consultation and capacity development strategies
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of conflict, security, humanitarian, development and peacebuilding work
• Proven experience and evidence of having conducted previous gender and conflict research assignments
• Working experience with the UN system is desirable;
• Proven experience in developing and delivering multi-stakeholder workshops and focus group discussions
• Knowledge of issues related to gender equality in Nigeria is desirable
• Experience coordinating and liaising with women-led organizations and government agencies is an asset
• Sound experience in the use of feminist, participatory and empowering reserch methods.
• Understanding of gender and protection issues in Northeast Nigeria context highly desirable
• Willingness and experience working in the Northeast of Nigeria.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills

Language Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of Hausa is desired.