National Consultant to Support the Gender Review at UNDP

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) is in the process of preparing its Fourth Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) (2021– 2025). A structure with technical and task teams to guide the MTDS process is in place with key deliverables. The RGoZ has been implementing the five-year Zanzibar Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty – ZSGRP III (2016-2020), commonly known as MKUZA III. The objective of ZSGRP III is to initiate and guide structural reform that will move Zanzibar’s economy from traditional agrarian activities, which have low productivity, to high-productivity industrial and service sector activities on a sustained basis.  The theme of ZSGRP III is based on the Zanzibar Development Vision 2020: “Economic Growth and Social Development for the Well-Being of All”. This theme emphasizes that while we work toward improved economic outcomes, the end goal is that all citizens of Zanzibar are free from abject poverty, are educated and healthy, and have access to quality social services and a stable living environment. The theme of ZSGRP III is translated into a clear mission statement aimed at “Achieving Social and Economic Prosperity to Reach Middle-Income Status”. This statement is supported by five Key Result Areas (KRAs) including KRA (A) on Enabling Sustainable and Inclusive Growth; KRA (B) on Promoting Human Capital Development; KRA (C) on Providing Quality Services for All; KRA (D) on Attaining Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience, and KRA (E) on Adhering to Good Governance Principles, which are further specified in defined Outcomes. Finally, the Plan also includes a set of flagship projects and the M&E framework with a clear set of indicators facilitated appropriate measurement of the impact of ZSGRP III.

Gender Equality is considered in MKUZA III in KRA B, namely “Adhering to Good Governance Principles and the Promoting Human Capital Development with a focus on Attainment of gender equality and equity, social inclusion and empowerment of women, girls, youth, people with disabilities, and people in vulnerable situations; and Increased access to justice, respect for rule of law, adherence to basic human rights, and greater participation in the democratic process”.

MKUZA III makes reference to the importance of adopting a gender-responsive approach to human capital development, to enhance on-going Government efforts to reduce gender gaps in knowledge, skills development and competitiveness between women and men in line with SDG 5 Attain gender equality and empower women and girls everywhere. The RGoZ commitment to implement a number of international and regional instruments for promoting gender equity and equality, as well as women and youth empowerment, is highlighted, noting the importance of  domesticating and mainstreaming GEWE instruments in sector policies, programmes, plans and budgets to build strong, sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth with prosperity for women and youth. MKUZA III highlights the importance to create dynamic, sustainable, innovative and people-centered economies, promoting youth employment and women’s economic empowerment in the country.

Given this background, UN Women, as part of mandate to support Member States’ priorities and efforts on GEWE, is partnering with the Zanzibar Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) and the Ministry of Labour Empowerment Elderly Women and Children (MLEEWC) to support the development of Zanzibar Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) 2021-2025. In this regard, UN Women wishes to hire one national consultant to support mainstreaming gender in the Zanzibar Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) process, make key recommendations, and provide technical advice to the RGoZ throughout the MTDS development process.

• Comprehensive gender-based review of MKUZA III to identify achievements and untapped opportunities on GEWE as an accelerator in realising the theme “Economic Growth and Social Development for the Well-Being of All”. The Gender Review will analyze gender equality issues arising from the implementation of Zanzibar Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (2016 – 2020), including analyzing the achievements, gaps, and areas that need strategic intervention.
• Review existing GEWE initiatives, including national frameworks and policies related to gender (Zanzibar Gender Policy (2016); gender disaggregated statistical data and gender assessments/ analyses conducted by the government (i.e. VNR 2019, BPfA +25; CEDAW periodic review; MAPs; Mapping of SDGs GEWE indicators); key stakeholders (academia, development partners, and civil society organizations) and their scope of interventions and (capacity) gaps.
• Policy recommendations on integrated approaches to apply inclusive and gender equality for:
  •  The Zanzibar Medium-Term Development Strategy 2021-2025 proposed key results areas
  •  Data, M& E Framework
  • Development of Innovative Financial Strategy
  • Development of New Communication Strategy
  • Integration of SDG 5, SDGs GEWE indicators & targets, and Agenda 2063 section of the new MTDS
  • Development of gender-responsive Blue Economy and Public Private Partnership (PPP) Sections
• Support the Development of Gender-Responsive Popular Version of Medium-Term Strategy 2021-2025
• Orientation and direct technical support to actors (task and drafting teams) involved in the MKUZA IV process

Overall guidance will be given by UN Women Senior Advisor Policy and Strategic Planning in close collaboration with the UNDP, Zanzibar MFoP and MLEEWC. The consultant will work closely with the relevant MKUZA IV III Technical and Task Teams, Sector Working Groups, and other structures as appropriate/requested.

The work will be participatory and include consultations with a broad base of stakeholders. The consultant is also expected to undertake a desk review research of existing policies, sector plans, procedures, documents, and manuals as well as the existing legislative framework in Zanzibar regarding gender equality.

Deliverables

• Comprehensive gender-based review of MKUZA III
• Policy Briefs and recommendations on integrated approaches to apply inclusive and gender equality for:
  •  The Zanzibar Medium-Term Strategy 2021-2025 Proposed key results areas;
  •  Data, M& E Framework;
  • Development of Innovative Financial Strategy;
  • Development of New Communication Strategy;
  • Integration of SDG 5, SDGs GEWE indicators & targets; and Agenda 2063 section of the new MTS;
  •  Development of gender responsive Blue Economy and Public Private Partnership (PPP) Sections.
• Gender-Responsive Popular Version for Medium-Term Strategy 2021-2025
• Report on orientation and direct technical support to actors (task and drafting teams) involved in the MKUZA IV process

Deliverables and Indicative Timeline

Integrity:

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN 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.

Work in teams:

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision-making.

Functional Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of qualitative and quantitative gender analysis skills, including on social development; economics, data and statistics
• Excellent knowledge of the women’s rights issues including on gender and the economy, data and statistics and financing for gender equality
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear reports with in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations in English in the relevant fields;
• Demonstrated ability to guide and advice multi-sectoral national teams on assessment and project development;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
• Very effective at multi-tasking.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in using ICT for research, including electronic/digital data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Strong networking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.

• Master’s degree in social sciences including Economics, Sociology, Public Administration, Political Science, Statistics, Development Studies and Gender. PhD is an advantage.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of international or domestic experience and record of accomplishment in gender equality issues preferably in Tanzania or the region of Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Proven experience leading gender analysis of macro-economic policy and strategies, including qualitative and quantitative  statistical / data analysis.
• Previous experience with review of National Economic Development Frameworks from a gender perspective or similar gender reports.
• Proven experience in leading analysis / reviews and developing a new project/ programme, guidance/ toolkit, and/or systems to enhance gender mainstreaming, including in Innovative Financing; Integrated National Financial Framework (INFF); Data; Monitoring Evaluation and reporting mechanisms is a strong asset.
• Experience leading teams of researchers to prepare development research reports and or development of National Economic Development Frameworks
• Experience working with UN agencies is an asset.
• Proven experience with use of gender analysis in Integrated Financial Management and Monitoring Systems.

Languages:

Fluency in written and oral English and Kiswahili is required

Application Procedure:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• Letter of interest indicating suitability and availability for the assignment, providing initial observations on the Terms of Reference and an outline of the methodology you would use. The Letter of Interest should include the requested daily consultancy fee.
• A UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, including highlighted references to previous relevant work and publications; Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.