Lead Consultant - Women Entrepreneurship Draft capacity Development Plan

UNDP Africa’s strategic vision places development for pro-poor growth and accountability at the centre of all UNDP-supported activities in the region, given the fact that lack of capacity in these areas remains one of the key challenges faced by Africa today in its efforts to achieve the MDGs. To achieve this goal UNDP has set itself the tasks of: i) strengthening its strategic thinking and advocacy functions in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and with Africa’s development agenda; ii) creating in-house capacity to translate corporate support goals into capacity development results; and iii) providing support to UN reform and strengthening its partnerships with both UN and external development partners. The order to achieve these objectives, UNDP works through its Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) to strengthen capacities of African countries, and regional and sub-regional institutions. This support is guided by the Third Regional Cooperation Framework (RCFIII) which targets four broad based areas: i) poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs; ii) consolidating democratic and participatory governance; iii) conflict prevention, peace building and recovery; and iv) energy, environment and sustainable development. RCF III outcomes will be achieved through various regional programmes development and implemented by RBA. The regional project entitled, “Building African Capacity to Gain Maximum Benefit from Inclusive Globalization and Regional Integration” is in line with the first focus area mentioned above. The specific objectives of the project are to strengthen the capacity of African countries for increased participation in global trade and linking trade policies to poverty reduction, and having trade negotiations outcomes that reflect common African position. The project is an important component of a strategy aimed at making globalization work better for Africa, and congruent with the African Union’s vision of regional integration, high levels of growth and poverty reduction. Under the project, institutional capacities are strengthened in the area of research on trade issues and analytic work to inform trade policy formulation, enhanced outcomes that reflect common African position. One of the main activities of the project is supporting the engendering of policies for increased participation of women in formal trade. For this purpose, one of the activity results undertaken was conducting a needs assessment for women entrepreneurs needs and formulating a capacity development plan for regional policy for enhancing the role of women in trade. This entailed the organization of two regional workshops for women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences. The first workshop held from 15-17 September 2010 was mainly consultative in approach with the overall outcome being better participation and contribution of women in all forms of international trade (both formal and informal). The specific outcomes of the workshop were threefold: Conducting a needs assessment: A needs assessment and consultations with women entrepreneurs from all five RECs that the Regional Trade Project covers were conducted. Producing a report based on the outcomes of the needs assessment: The report captured concrete recommendations by women entrepreneurs on how key areas in which they required capacity development. Providing a platform for exchange of experiences: The workshop was a platform for women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences in their respective sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall purpose of this initiative is to Draft a Capacity Development (CD) and Implementation Plan: Based on the outcomes of the needs assessment and recommendations in the workshop report (September 15, 2010). This output of the project intends to support engendering of policies for increased participation of women in formal trade. More specifically, the objective of this assignment is to systematically undertake and italicize a Capacity Development and Implementation Plans in the five (5) critical sectors identified by women entrepreneurs. These are: 1. Access to finance and productive resources 2. Access to international markets 3. Reducing the cost of doing business 4. Organization and advocacy skills with Government and other organizations like the United Nations 5. Issues related to Entrepreneurship Consequently, this initiative aims at mainstreaming gender into trade policy and programs and is congruent with the African Union’s vision of regional integration, high levels of growth and poverty reduction, with a specific focus on developing the capacity of women entrepreneurs/traders, decision-makers, and beneficiaries. Working closely with RBA’s Regional Trade Programme (Trade Policy Team), the lead consultant will provide substantive support towards the realization of the Capacity Development Plan for women entrepreneurs in Africa. The lead consultant, will be the coordinator of the output (i.e. the publication) and together with the Trade Project Team, will identify and appoint 5 or more [1][1] subject matter specialists to draft the capacity development and implementation plan. The CDP will consist of five chapters based on the themes/sectors identified in the workshop report (both in the same publication). Each consultant will be specifically recruited for his/her subject matter expertise in the related field. The drafters/writers will familiarize themselves and rely mostly on the concepts of UNDP’s Default Methodology for Capacity Development (http://www.undp.org/capacity/resources.shtml), which will provide the entry points, core issues, and functional and technical capacities. The consultant will produce the respective draft chapters for CD plan in close collaboration with UNDP and other collaborating agencies and entities. Each consultant will have his/her own terms of reference but must be able to work as team and report back to the Trade Project (especially the manager) when required to do so. Following the discussions, recommendations, and changes, the writers will consolidate their chapters and submit the final version of the document that is acceptable to the Trade Project Manager. The lead consultant will drive the process from preparatory stages right through to conception, coordination and finalisation of the CD Plan by the various sectoral consultants. The expected result of this initiative is to ensure the timely and high quality delivery of the following: Consolidated of First draft Capacity Development Plan First and Penultimate Draft, afters the consultants have incorporating all amendments from peer review and validation processes. Substantive facilitation of, and participation in the Orientation workshop with consultants (writers); Official Launch of the CDPs Coordination of a small brainstorming meeting delineating the coherent outlines of each of the five chapters.

Competencies

Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, communication, networking, influencing and facilitation skills and good knowledge in capacity development (methodologies, application etc.), economics, gender, international trade and development concepts. Knowledge and 10 years experience in microeconomics and international economics is crucial. Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values (especially the approach that UNDP takes towards, gender, trade and human development) Practices adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies: Good knowledge, understanding, and some experience of international trade, entrepreneurship especially from the perspective of economics of gender (being able to look at the relevant issues from a strong gender lens) Excellent facilitation, training, and analytical skills are required. Excellent skills in coordination, reporting and extracting necessary and relevant information are a must.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, law, business administration, and/or other development related field. Experience: Ten years of experience in the development field preferably international trade, especially in the areas of economic policies; capacity development and gender and trade areas. Ability to use computers and office software packages and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Language: Fluency in written and oral English is required.

Lead Consultant - Women Entrepreneurship Draft capacity Development Plan