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Request for Expressions of Interest African Development Bank Group - Country Studies on Gender Responsive Climate Resilient Solutions in Africa

May 7, 2019 | World University Service of Canada
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Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to the effects of climate change. The changing climate will negatively affect food production and security, with farmers expected to lose about US$28 per hectare per year for each 1°C rise in global temperature. This will lead to higher food prices and increased conflicts and security threats. Droughts will cause scarcity of water resources and severe floods will lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases, modifying the transmission of diseases (such as cholera, malaria and meningitis) and destruction of infrastructure (roads, bridges and buildings). Dependence on hydro electricity generation for energy will equally be affected as amounts of waters flowing into rivers will dwindle, potentially leading 41% decline in hydropower production and high costs to industrial production. Africa’s social and cultural setting worsens the situations, especially for women and children. Due to their predominance in agriculture in the continent, as well as their high levels of dependence on the natural environment for household production and livelihoods, women are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Climate change has the potential to affect drastically the lives of women and children and thus threatens progress towards sustainable development. The vulnerability of Africa’s women and youth to impacts of climate change needs be understood so that solutions meet their specific needs and opportunities. Designing climate resilient interventions with women and youth, and scaling up these interventions to wider audience will be the heart of sustainable development in Africa. For example, providing weather and agro-advisory services to women and youth farmers on appropriate technological innovations, improving education and healthcare choices, improved access to clean fuels, storage facilities and resource management strategies will be key to stemming the impact of climate change on women and youth.

 Gender equality is integral to the work of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group; its mandate is to reduce poverty by spurring sustainable economic development and social progress in regional member countries (RMCs). The twin strategic objectives of its Ten Year Strategy (2013-2022) - inclusive growth and the transition towards green growth - with three special areas of focus on agriculture and food security, fragile states, and gender - will ensure wider access to economic opportunities for Africans across all age, gender and geographic divides. Other Bank initiatives include “Feeding Africa: An action plan for African agricultural transformation’ especially the commitment to ending hunger by 2025, and the AfDB Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience (2014-2019). The Gender Strategy (2014-2018) is based on the reality that gender equality is integral to Africa’s economic and social development. The AfDB Group recognizes the need to reduce gender inequalities by strengthening women’s legal status and property rights (by removing the barriers to gender parity), promoting women’s economic empowerment (notably by increasing access to a range of quality, reliable and affordable financial services), and enhancing knowledge management and capacity building.

The Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA) program is an African Development Bank Group (AfDB) project funded by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund (KOAFEC). The project is to be implemented across Africa by four partners: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), African Working Group on Gender and Climate Change (AWGGCC), Women in Global Science and Technology (WISAT), and World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

ICCASA program is geared towards promoting the importance of gender mainstreaming in climate policies, practices, and negotiations as this will be important for ensuring that climate actions will help women and men reduce their vulnerability and adapt to the impacts of climate change. 

OBJECTIVES

 The AfDB Group and World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is commissioning consultants to conduct studies on gender responsive climate resilient solutions in African countries. The aim is to assess and report on primary data of the current situation for women and men in the country in relation to the impacts of climate change, identify gaps and opportunities in the country that can promote gender equality, and research and identify case studies and best practice for gender equality, climate resilience and sustainable development. The case studies will identify key steps to ensure that gender equality and the rights of vulnerable people especially women and youth, are central to climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.

3 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT

 Under the supervision of the ICCASA Program Manager, the incumbent is expected to perform, inter alia, the following duties:

Before the commencement of the consultancy, the consulting firm shall provide a work plan detailing the proposed approach and methodology to the consultancy. The work plan must include key risks to completing the consultancy and how they have been mitigated or addressed.

The services to be provided by the consulting firm under the Assignment are as follows:

  • A list of relevant literature including data sources for the country; identification of the best practice (case study) in the relevant country that ensures gender equality and the rights of vulnerable people especially women and youth, are central to climate change adaptation and mitigation actions (Inception Report).
  • Collection and analysis of available gender and climate change data at country level (primary data). The consultant will collate all gender and climate change data at country levels as specified in the Inception Report. Thereafter, the consultant will conduct analytical assessment of the data to provide a clear understanding of gender and climate change situation in the country. The data will encompass the following economic sectors:
    • Agriculture, food security and nutrition
    • Water
    • Energy
    • Infrastructure
    • Forestry
    • Overview of situation of women in the specific country, specifically employment, labor distribution, distribution of income, Access to weather and climate information services, access to ICTs, poverty rates and other socio-economic characteristics.
    • Analysis of key gender and climate change issues affecting the country, opportunities, gaps in the various economic sectors mentioned above.
    • Mapping/analysis of national stakeholders in the various economic sector, including civil society, government departments and parastatals, international, private sector, financial sector: Include various activities that the stakeholders are involved in.
    • Overview of gender and climate-related policies in the country including NDCs/INDCs/NAPs/NAMAs/REDD+ and other legislations; Number and position of women in decision making in climate change related ministries and other political positions that can influence achieving gender inequality.
    • The consultant will produce a technical report containing all findings and conclusions and supporting evidence.
    • The consultant will contribute to a one-page infonote, a summary of the the technical report

The expected deliverables are as follows:  

  • Inception report, containing list of relevant literature including data sources for the country study and one case study that demonstrate best practice on gender equality and the rights of vulnerable people, to be submitted 2 weeks after the start of the assignment.
  • An Excel spreadsheet of gender and climate change data at country level and summary report of the findings, to be submitted 4 weeks after start of assignment
  • Technical Report containing all analytical assessment of the current situation for women and men in the country in relation to the impacts of climate change, identify gaps and opportunities in the country that can promote gender equality, climate resilience and inclusive sustainable development. The report should also include assessment of the case study highlighting key steps to ensure that gender equality and the rights of vulnerable people especially women and youth, are central to climate change actions. This will be submitted 10 weeks after the start of the assignment.
  • One-page info-note (with info-graphs) drawing upon findings from the technical report, to be submitted 12 weeks after the start of the assignment.

 All reports should include an analytical summary, a Powerpoint presentation summarizing main outcomes that will serve as an advocacy document to external partners, findings, and a document of recommendations from the country studies. The final reports should include the analysed final excel data sheets and background documents as requested by the ICCASA Program Manager.

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

 The Consultant will report to the Program Manager, Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa.

SELECTION CRITERIA (Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience)

For the proposed consultancy, the consultant selected must demonstrate the following:

  • The Consultant should possess at least a Master’s Degree in social sciences, International Development and Gender Studies
  • The Consultant must have expertise in social research as well as strong analytical background
  • The consultant must be well grounded in gender issues across Africa as well as show a good understanding of Africa’s climate change landscape
  • The consultant should possess excellent research, writing and documentation skills.

DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The consultant will be engaged for an initial period not exceeding 92 days. The contract period could be extended further if there are compelling justifications.

TIMELINE FOR DELIVERABLES

The following constitute the main expected deliverables during the period of this contract. Payment is subject to the satisfactory delivery of these various items.

  • Start date: 1st June 2019
  • Inception report: 15th June 2019
  • An Excel spreadsheet of gender and climate change data at country level and summary report of the findings: 1st July 2019
  • Technical Report containing all analytical assessment of the current situation for women and men in the country in relation to the impacts of climate change, identify gaps and opportunities in the country that can promote gender equality, climate resilience and inclusive sustainable development: 1st August 2019
  • One-page info-note (with info-graphs) drawing upon findings from the technical report: 15th August, 2019

REMUNERATION OF THE CONSULTANT

In accordance with the Bank's rules and procedures for the procurement of consultancy services, the consultant will be paid honorarium.

Duration of engagement 

The Consultant shall commence provision of services within 7 calendar days of the effective date of the contract. The effective date shall be the date of signature of consultancy contract agreement and completed within three months (3 months) from the date of the commencement of services.

 10 Deliverable requirements

The Consultant shall prepare and complete the following deliverables:

  • An Excel spreadsheet of gender and climate change data at country level and summary report
  • Technical Report containing all analytical assessment of the current situation for women and men in the country in relation to the impacts of climate change, identify gaps and opportunities in the country that can promote gender equality, climate resilience and inclusive sustainable development
  • One-page info-note (with info-graphs) drawing upon findings from the technical report 

Duration and Payment schedule 

Duration, Time input and Commencement date

The consultant will be contracted by the WUSC and will be expected to carry out the assignment duties within a period of 3 months expected to be spread between Tentative Commencement date**: 1st June 2019 and 15th August 2019.** The outputs and reports have to meet the quality standards of AfDB and WUSC.

Payment Schedule

Payment will be done upon the AfDB and WUSC’s satisfactory delivery and acceptance of all outputs

WUSC’s OBLIGATION

WUSC undertakes to facilitate the consultant’s task by providing the means necessary to successfully carry out their mission as well as the documentation, information, and any other elements in its possession.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT

The consultant shall make available all reports, presentations, databases and platforms which shall be the exclusive property of AfDB, WUSC and its partners.