ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African-based international organization, working with communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affects community well-being by reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid and influencing policy. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. Adeso has been strengthening rural livelihood and delivering innovative humanitarian aid and development programs for the past 20 years. Currently, we have programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan. Our present donor portfolio includes the European Commission, USAID, SIDA, and UNICEF, among others. Adeso is an exciting, dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. We offer sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY Adeso is seeking a qualified consultant specialized in conducting capacity assessments to complete such an appraisal of the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs (MOWDAFA). The assessment will provide technical assistance to the Promoting Women’s Political Participation for Development of Peace and Security in Puntland (PROWOPP) Project. The consultancy is for a period of 10 days, beginning October 15, 2012 and will include desk review work, field data collection, data analysis and report writing. Adeso encourages Consultancy firms or groups that can assign one consultant specialized in Gender Issues to apply.
The target of achieving gender equality is crucial for development. It is indeed easy to focus on women only and their disadvantages in comparison to men when the promotion of gender equality is on the agenda. However, the role and participation of men in achieving gender equality is equally important. To support the goal of promoting gender equality two complementary approaches should be followed: gender mainstreaming and instituting ‘specific measures’ to promote gender equality.
PROJECT SUMMARY PROWOPP aims at assisting MOWDAFA in building knowledge and technical capacity within the government for gender mainstreaming and advocacy, and strengthening the Ministry's organizational capacity to effectively fulfil its mandate. MOWDAFA, with support from Adeso has been instrumental in coordinating and monitoring gender mainstreaming into national policies, strategies and programmes including. The scope of gender mainstreaming and advocacy work has been expanded to include gender sensitive statistical system, support to aid management through a programme based approach to gender mainstreaming; addressing societal gender values through communication and advocacy and developing sustainable institutional models of skills training and business development services for women-entrepreneurs.
The environment in which the MOWDAFA is currently operating is challenging, with upcoming deadlines to comply with ongoing government reform programmes, international obligations and reporting and with many other sectors and priorities competing for funds. Furthermore the economic crisis in Somalia has placed increased urgency on the need for economic empowerment of women as well as ensuring necessary safeguards and legal protection of women. This evolving environment, coupled with organizational changes and responsibilities will require the MOWDAFA to review the way it is currently organized to deliver its outputs and also to assess its existing capacities in order to systematically address these gaps.
The proposed action seeks to promote sustainable peace in the reconstruction and development of Somalia by creating a more enabling environment for gender sensitive conflict resolution and peace mechanisms. The action will support women councillors, and women CSO’s to effectively participate, represent and influence the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs (MOWDAFA) in Puntland to efficiently implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. It will also provide technical and capacity building support to the MOWDAFA to prepare their 2012-2014 Strategic Plan and a consolidated gender strategy that will engage Somali women from different walks of life in their own peace and reconstruction efforts.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT The overall objective of this assignment is to carry out a capacity assessment analysis and provide technical assistance to the Promoting Women’s Political Participation for Development of Peace and Security in Puntland (PROWOPP) Project. The specific objective is to review MOWDAFA’s current capacity to deliver its mandate and outputs as defined in (UNSCR) 1325. It will assess the degree to which MOWDAFA’s structure and the TORs of the departments are aligned to the outputs it delivers and will provide recommendations on how MOWDAFA can be more efficient and effective in achieving the goals and strategic outputs in the (UNSCR) 1325.
The capacity assessment will provide an analysis of the broader environment in which the MOWDAFA operates, national development priorities, trends with development partners, and new responsibilities taken on. It will look at what type of capacity development support (training, financial and non financial incentives) is needed to enable MOWDAFA to be more efficient. This capacity assessment exercise will assist in the formulation of a capacity development strategy or plan for MOWDAFA and will provide an opportunity to harmonize support by Adeso to various MOWDAFA initiatives and departments, an important step towards a programme based approach advocated for by the (UNSCR) 1325.
DELIVERABLES The capacity assessment is expected to provide two main outputs:
A capacity assessment diagnosis report of the MOWDAFA’s institutional, functional and human resource capacities with respect to its current mandate, required capacities and responsibilities. This will require: • Mapping the MOWDAFA’s mandate, responsibilities and functions according to sub-decrees, policies and experts’ opinions, according to the (UNSCR) 1325. • Evaluating the alignment of MOWDAFA’s current functional capacities with its mandate and responsibilities (existing capacity) • Assessing the MOWDAFA’s required functional capacities based on management, staff, and stakeholders’ expectations and strategic needs (desired capacity) • Analyzing strengths and gaps within the MOWADFA’s existing capacity versus the MOWAFA’s mandate, responsibilities and desired level of capacity
Recommendations for building a capacity development program framework for the MOWAFA, that will provide the general principles and key features of a capacity building strategy for the MOWDAFA.
A consultant is sought for this assignment, working to support the following tasks: • Organize and schedule meetings with relevant stakeholders including translation when required; • Prepare notes from the mission meetings attended, including clarifications, possible analyses and feasible recommendations towards the preparation of the assessment as per the overall TOR requirements for the capacity assessment of MOWDAFA; • Analyse the mandate and responsibilities of the MOWDAFA as per existing sub-decrees and in light of recent changes and emerging needs;
SCOPE OF WORK In liaison with Adeso project staff the consultant will conduct a capacity needs assessment of MOWDAFA. The study will consist of literature review and qualitative method. The following key issues should be addressed by the consultant. The list however is not exhaustive and additional issues might come up during the consultancy.
Propose interventions in: • Adaptation strategies • Mitigation strategies • Communication strategies • Vulnerability assessments • Review Governance Structures and their respective roles with regard to the implementation of gender actions within the PROWOPP • Propose relevant stakeholders and key actors (at the national and county levels) that the can work with to MOWDAFA implement the proposed gender actions • Develop gender monitoring and evaluation framework detailing quantitatively and qualitatively measureable, reportable and verifiable indicators • Develop an Action Plan to operationalize the strategy • Facilitate a validation workshop to present the preliminary findings to stakeholders and actors in Garowe to get their input and comments on the draft. • Develop gender mainstreaming guidelines that are aligned to the implementation of PROWOPP
The objective of the consultancy is the integration of a gender perspective and the development of a gender mainstreaming strategy for policy, analysis and engagement as well as assist in answering the following questions:
Since the establishment of MOWDAFA, to what extent are they already engaged in a real effort in increase its capacity and performance? Has it identified additional activities for improvement?
Is there a common understanding of the key term used in discussions – including “gender mainstreaming”, “capacity” and “capacity development”? Is there a shared understanding about capacity development as process that goes beyond individual and beyond training to include changes in organizational processes and mechanism, linkages, and other factors related to agency’s performance?
What efforts have been invested in identifying steps required to achieve goals by target dates on the implementation of (UNSCR) 1325 since its inception?
What are the current skills that staffs of MOWDAFA have to implement, monitoring and evaluate activities under (UNSCR) 1325? How they have come up with the plans to implement activities?
Is there any mechanism to track gender mainstreaming in policy development, policy impacts and monitoring for gender equality results?
Has MOWDAFA partnered with any sectoral agencies that show particularly promise as partners on gender equality, for example because they have established a sectoral unit on women’s needs that has strong leadership, or whether there are areas of sectoral or process reform in which key managers demonstrate the interest an addressing gender equality?
Have these agencies provided or offered technical expertise on particular issues, such as gender equality issues in agricultural development? Have they undertaken and disseminated policy relevant research, for example on employment conditions in women-dominated sectors; promoted the use of sex-disaggregate data in policy and programme analysis? Did these actions advance gender equality?
What partnerships exist between MOWDAFA and women’s organizations, gender equality advocates and academic institutions?
Given all the consideration above, what is the potential for achieving sustainable increases in capacity and performance?
What can be recommended to strengthen gender equality?
WORK PLAN FOR CONDUCTING THE CAPACITY ASSESMENT ANALYSIS A work plan for this assignment should be developed in relation to the methodology suggested by the consultant and the number of days set for this assignment. This should include a one day briefing on the findings to get input from project and programme staff, as well as build consensus around the recommendations.
REPORTING In all matters in relation to the evaluation, the consultant will report to the Country Director for Somalia in Nairobi. The consultant will work closely with the Area Coordinator for North Somalia and the Program Manager in Garowe.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE • In-depth knowledge of the constraints to gender equality and the particular barriers that women, the disabled and other marginalized communities face especially in Somalia, • Knowledge of government processes, national strategies, national plans for gender and international frameworks such as UNSCR 1325, CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Action, MDGs and others. • Recognized contribution to the theory and practice of gender equity, through publications, membership to gender networks, and/or participation and leadership in alliances and committees on these topics, • Knowledge and experience on the issue of state institutions capacity and capacity development. • Knowledge of government policies in relation to UNSCR 1325and aid effectiveness is a clear advantage. • Evidence of a capacity strategy developed during the last five years • Extensive experience in collecting and integrating gender disaggregated data, needs and views, including gender approaches and knowledge with respect to national policy and development. • Experience in conducting capacity assessments for organizations or projects. • Experience in development organization, capacity development, and/or government agencies, public administration. • Previous experience in the empowerment of women and gender equality will be an asset.
SKILL AND QUALIFICATIONS • Post graduate degree in development studies, social studies or related fields, preferably including gender studies, with demonstrated professional practice in capacity assessment analysis during the last five years; • At least five years of hands on experience in conducting capacity analysis and assessments; • Must have profound knowledge in capacity assessment analysis of development projects; • Must be experienced in developing and implementing gender sensitive evaluation methodologies; • Good knowledge and experience in survey design, implementation of surveys and statistical data analysis is required;
• Experience in the use of participatory appraisal techniques in data collection; • Previous work experience in Somali culture is essential; • Excellent analytical, research, writing and communication skills; • Experience working with gender equity interventions and programming; • Proven track-record working with government departments and civil society counterparts over the formulation of gender mainstreaming initiatives, including coordinating inputs, facilitating collaboration and ensuring sectoral balance in the formulation of recommendations; • Strong capacity assessment analysis skills; • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse people.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: All documentation related to the assignment shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Adeso.
APPLICATION PROCESS Applications should be submitted no later than September 30, 2012. Adeso will conduct interviews on an on-going basis. The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer. Each application should include the following:
• An application letter addressing the selection criteria including how the candidate’s previous experience matches the consultancy objectives as well as their interest for the position. It should also indicate the candidate’s availability and consultancy rates. The application letter should be no longer than two pages; • An updated CV including relevant work experience and qualifications; • A sample of recently written document for a similar assignment; • Contact details of 3 references.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
All applications should be sent to Adeso at jobs@adesoafrica.org with the subject line: “Capacity Assessment Analysis Consultant – PROWOPP”. Applications should be submitted no later than September 30, 2012.
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