UN Women – In July 2010, the United nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: 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 in Northeast Nigeria

Location: Homebased with travel to Borno, Nigeria
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Duration of Initial Contract: 55 days

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

• 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:
  • 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
  • A brief analysis on how the conflict has influenced pre-existing gender-inequality ideologies, practices and relations,  emerging issues
  • 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

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.

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.

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

Application Closing Date
4th February, 2022.