Consultant – Gender Study 169 views2 applications

Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. The association leads on average 200 projects per year in 8 complementary sectors: health, food security and livelihood, nutrition, protection, rehabilitation and construction of infrastructures, access to water, hygiene and sanitation and economic recovery.

PUI is providing assistance to around 7 million people in 22 countries – in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Following the intensification of the Chad Lake conflict in Nigeria (North East of the Country) and in order to respond to the health, food security, nutrition and livelihood needs, PUI opened its Nigerian mission in 2016.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant – Gender Study

Location: Maiduguri – Borno State
Start date: Mid of October 2020
Source of funding: Multi-Donors (FFP/OFDA)
Author(s): Protection Coordinator, revised DHoM-P

Nigeria General Context
With the largest population in Africa (between 178 and 200 million inhabitants), Nigeria is ranked as one of the strongest economies of the continent relying on oil and petroleum products as well as mineral resources. Despite a strong economy, Nigeria suffers from important development disparities between North and South provinces of the country, social and economic inequalities, and from a high rate of corruption at every level of the economic and administrative systems. Moreover, Nigeria is a very diverse country, hosting multiple ethnic groups and religion.

The on-going conflict in the North-East States of the country (states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) and widespread violence triggered a large scale humanitarian crisis. This context is exacerbated by armed-opposition groups ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province) and JAS (Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad) targeting civilian populations in NE Nigeria.
The large-scale violence is causing massive internal displacement, particularly in Borno State, and has resulted in one of the world’s largest protection crises, in which civilians face serious risks to their lives, safety, well-being and human rights. In October 2019, there were 2.019,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country according to the UNHCR and 7.1 million people were considered to be in a humanitarian emergency situation. Years of conflict have seriously deteriorated living conditions in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States (BAY States) and have depressed agricultural production, exacerbating populations’ critical needs for life-saving assistance.

Following the new conflict and military developments, several Local Governmental Areas (LGAs) of Borno State were deemed accessible to humanitarian aid by the Nigerian government. But outside of the capital cities, in the countryside, the security is not granted to the populations and to the humanitarian workers. OCHA has estimated that 800,000 people are still in inaccessible areas; these are arguably the most vulnerable populations. About 55% of the displaced are children, and the number of women and child-headed households is increasing as male heads of household have either disappeared, been killed or are afraid to return to their families.

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is prevalent, and many people have suffered the trauma of violent experiences. Given the active hostilities between various groups, reduced access to basic services, disruption of livelihoods and increased attacks by armed groups against civilians, internal displacement is not expected to slow down. Finally, given the recent deterioration in the overall security and humanitarian situation, further influxes into the security zones are still expected in the coming year. Millions of people in north-eastern Nigeria depend on humanitarian assistance for survival. Despite significant improvements in 2017 and 2018, the food security and nutrition situation remains fragile in the north-east, with almost 3,8 million people in the BAY states in need of food aid according to UN-OCHA situation report, August 2020.

More than 5 million people are in need of health assistance, as two thirds of the health facilities in the BAY states have been damaged by the conflict. Basic survival needs are compounded by barriers to access and security. Humanitarian access is often impeded or restricted due to ongoing hostilities, threats of attack, improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance, and impassable roads and bridges.

Maiduguri and Monguno Context:

• In the North-East of Nigeria, PUI currently operates in the two areas of Maiduguri Metropolitan City (MMC) and Monguno Local Government Authority (LGA).
• Late 2019 and early 2020 witnessed an increase in new arrivals in Maiduguri and in particular in the ward of Bolori II.  IDPs reaching Maiduguri MMC, are in very bad conditions and in urgent needs of assistance: food, NFI and WaSH remain the 3 biggest IDPs’ needs according to the assessments and the monitoring conducted by PUI over the last months. Monguno Local Government Authority (LGA) has been at the center of the humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria, with Monguno town experiencing intense fighting and insecurity in January 2020. Indeed, in the LGA people have experienced mass killings, the abduction of women and girls, the destruction of the infrastructure, and the large-scale forced displacement of populations. Serious protection concerns and rights violations persist in Monguno LGA, putting civilian lives at risk, forcing many to flee, exposing them to multiple risks while displaced, and impeding the effective implementation of durable solutions.

Gender Context:

• Incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria have escalated dramatically with the insurgency in the north east. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) has the mandate for coordinating prevention and responses for GBV in Nigeria. With the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the FMWASD established the dedicated GBV Sub-Sector to cover the humanitarian needs of the north east. As a result, the Gender-Based Violence SubSector (GBVSS) was activated in 2015. In October 2016, the humanitarian leadership declared an internal level 3 operation in the north east and partners scaled up their operations. The coordination for the GBV Sub Sector – as with other sectors – moved from Abuja to Maiduguri, in Borno state, overseeing interventions in the three most affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
• The protracted nature of the conflict continued to reinforce pre-existing gender inequalities (with women having lesser opportunities) across the BAY states as it continues to record worrying rates of gendered violence especially sexual violence. The ongoing conflict has compounded the risk of increasing power imbalances between men and women, exacerbated GBV and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).  The key drivers of GBV and SEA include social norms that legitimate violence against women, lack of laws and policies to protect women and children from violence, weak or ineffective protection and response systems.
•  According to recent data shared by the GBVSS in Maiduguri, between January-October, 2019, out of the survivors who sought help for new incidents of gender-based violence, 80% were perpetrated against adults, while 20% of them were against children. Sexual violence, especially rape cases, are often under-reported because of the fear of stigma, blame or to protect family reputation as it is considered a shameful act. Forced marriages are under-reported because it is often not considered a form of sexual violence. Often families resort to early marriage, in particular for girls, to cope with poverty and food scarcity.
• Moreover, IDPs, specifically women, single female-headed households, adolescents, girls with disabilities, girls hawkers and those who are experiencing food insecurity are among the most vulnerable to experience GBV and are more likely to engage in transactional/survival sex. Survivors are also exposed to re-occurring abuse and continue to experience stigma and shame.

Objectives of the Assessment
Main Objective: Gender Analysis:

• A Gender Analysis (GA) is a study which aims at understanding the different relations, conditions, needs, access to resources, activities etc. of girls/women and boys/men. The overall goal of the GA in humanitarian response is to inform action in order to achieve equality between women and men and ensure sustainable development which considers gender roles and how they have been impacted by crisis.
• As part of the development of its programs in Nigeria, PUI wishes to conduct a gender analysis study, with the objective of improving the quality of its response as a protection actor and to develop gender mainstreaming (based on humanitarian feminist approach principles ( GAC guidelines) at its mission’s level.
• Currently, PUI is carrying on an integrated multi-sector response in both Maiduguri and Monguno (Borno State), to respond to the urgent needs of IDPs and Host Communities through Food Security, Health, Nutrition and Protection activities.  Within the protection intervention, PUI has established a large community-based protection component through which protection monitoring is conducted and a system of identification of protection cases is in place. Furthermore, PUI protection team identifies S/GBV survivors and ensures a comprehensive and integrated response, through internal and external referrals.
• PUI is seeking a consultant to produce a comprehensive gender analysis and to evaluate the organization’s ability to mainstream gender, enhance women’s livelihood opportunities, provide support to women victims of violence and respond to women’s needs within its ongoing humanitarian response, contribute to strengthening the capacity of women to be at the heart of the decision-making process, promote equity, with a view on also informing future programming.
• The Analysis is based both, on the gender markers methodology notation developed by IASC in its rating and on humanitarian feminist approach principles (GAC guidelines in annexe). The consultant is requested to follow this methodology.

Geographical Scope Covered by the Analysis:

• The geographical scope of the study will cover Borno States, in Nigeria (subject to change depending on security concerns) with focus on PUI’s current areas of implementation, Monguno and Maiduguri.

Specific Objective:

• To produce a comprehensive gender analysis on the different impacts of the North East Nigeria crisis on girls, women, boys and men in order to capture and determine the vulnerability of affected population in the conflict area with focus on PUI’s areas of intervention;

Activities and Tasks:

• Conduct a gender-sensitive conflict analysis (general overview) in which driving factors, causes and effects of the conflict, peace and conflict actors are identified with focus on gender roles and on the role of women in peace and security;
• Identify pre-existing and changing power dynamics for girls, boys, women and men including access to and control over resources, and the different roles and responsibility within the society;
• Identify the different constraints, risks and needs of girls, boys, women and men;
• Analyze safety and security access to humanitarian assistance in targeted areas and identify potential safety and security barriers hampering access to aid with focus on gender;
• Provide information on gendered access to health, nutrition, livelihood, psychosocial and health care services including SRHR services and identify discriminatory gender and social norms and other barriers limiting access to services;
• Analyze the prevalence of child marriage, GBV, early pregnancy, transactional/survival sex and associated risks in the targeted areas;
• Provide information on adolescent girls and women’s involvement in decision-making regarding their own protection and health and regarding to family health and nutrition;
• Based on the findings of the gender analysis, suggest key messages to promote gender equality through community outreach and awareness raising activities;
• Develop and provide sound and technical recommendations based on the findings of the analysis on how gender can further be addressed, integrated and mainstreamed into PUI’s sectors of intervention;
• Identify and assess potential gender-differentiated impacts of PUI’s project with a view of informing future programming

Methodology:

• To conduct the analysis, the consultant will use both the Gender Markers methodology developed by the IASC and humanitarian feminist approach principles (GAC guidelines in annexe).
• Literature review of the main local laws, policies, strategies, national gender reports and researches;
• Data collection through Key Informant Interview (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGD), observations, questionnaires, and other participatory quantitative/qualitative research methods in line with COVID 19 protocols;

Expected Results (Deliverables)

• A complete Gender analysis compiled in a narrative report corresponding to the objective, activities and tasks presented in the ToR (between 20 and 30 pages). This report will include full annexes with data collection and methodologies used;
• One PowerPoint presentation of the report including key findings and recommendations;
• At least ten (10) key messages to promote gender equality through community outreach and awareness-raising activities and the awareness material;
• Develop an action plan that identifies opportunities and entry points for mainstreaming gender into PUI projects;
• Produce a community mapping of the SGBV services available in the areas of Maiduguri and Monguno;

Profile of the Consultant

• Preferably with a post-graduate degree or equivalent in gender / women’s studies, international development, human rights, or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of experience working on gender issues, gender and development, gender equality, gender mainstreaming, policies analysis, and capacity building;
• Demonstrated expertise in gender and protection analysis, mainstreaming of gender and protection in projects and programs;
• Considerable experience in adaptation, development and use of gender and protection analysis tools and methodologies, analysis and quality reporting;
• Good communication and facilitation skills;
• Experience in Borno State is a strong asset;
• Experience in conflict area is an asset;
• Experience as a Humanitarian Gender consultant
• Able to work independently;
• Maturity, cultural sensitivity, tactfulness, diplomacy, inter-personal skills and ability to work well under pressure in a demanding environment and tight deadlines;
• Computer Skills (knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook is a pre-requisite);
• Fluency in written and spoken English required;

Field Organization:

• The consultant is expected to respect socio-cultural and security context of the mission and to act in a manner not to affect PUI image in the country.
• The consultant is responsible for assessing her/his needs in terms of human resources and logistics. PUI will provide logistical and administrative support to the extent possible.

Budget

• A maximum budget of 4,000,000 NGN is available for this study, however, a competitive selection process is expected to take place.
• PUI will provide accommodation for the consultant in team guest houses while in Maiduguri. The consultant will be briefed on the PUI security rules and will have to respect them during all the consultancy duration.
• Meals and other incidentals will be responsibility of the consultant.
• The consultant will conduct his/her work using his/her own computer.
• Other miscellaneous costs directly related to the task that can include photocopying of questionnaires, etc. shall be covered by PUI. Any cost needs to have prior approval from PUI.
• The movement of the consultant and team to and from the field will be facilitated by PUI in Maiduguri.
• The cost related to travel from/ to Field of the survey teams will be covered by PUI.
•  Consultant fee payment will be paid in two instalments; First Instalment 30% and the remaining 70% as the final instalment. First instalment will be paid after completion and validation of the survey methodology and final instalment will be paid after the validation of acceptable deliverables as outlined in these ToR.

A financial offer should be submitted, including a budget with detailed section (i.e. all costs related to the assessment, namely airline and other transportation expenses tickets, medical coverage expenses and insurance, the cost of food and accommodation, logistics and human resources needed, as well as the remuneration of expertise…).

Duration of the consultancy:

• 30 days – the consultant is expected to propose a timetable in the technical offer.
• The consultant is expected to undertake field missions to both Maiduguri and Monguno, when security conditions allow.

Applications Closing Date
Friday, 25th September, 2020.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Applications (PDF) which must include the documents below to: [email protected] with the “PUI – Gender Study in Maiduguri, Borno State” as the subject of the email.

Interested candidates should submit the following document in English:

• CV (maximum 4 pages) and Cover letter (1 page);
• Sample reports of previous consultancies (will be kept confidential);
• Technical proposition (max 10 pages) including:
  • A brief overview of the methodology describing how the sampling will be conducted, which types of methods for quantitative/qualitative data collection will be used, how the participative approach will be ensured, data analysis process,  human resources and logistic support needs,
  • A detailed work plan;
• A financial offer including a budget with detailed sections (fees, other costs) – must not exceed 4,000,000 NGN
• Technical References (3) (Organization, Name of Representative, phone number and email address)

Note

• Applications submitted after the above-stated closing date for submission, for whatever reason or cause, shall be considered defaulting.
• Only applications including the full list of requested documents will be considered.