Gender Analysis Terms of Reference

Sonke Gender Justice seeks a consultant to develop a Gender Analysis for its Project: Linking policy and implementation for gender equality.

Background

Sonke Gender Justice, established in 2006, is an organisation that strives to prevent domestic and sexual violence, reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS, and promote gender equality and human rights. Sonke ’s work is in all of South Africa’s nine provinces and also in 22 countries across Southern, Eastern, Central and Western Africa through the MenEngage Africa (MEA) partnership. Globally, Sonke works in partnership with various development agencies, members of the Global MenEngage Alliance and other international networks and affiliates.

About Linking policy and implementation for gender equality project:

Funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the Linking policy and implementation for gender equality project is a 3-year project implemented in 3 countries in Africa, namely Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

The linking policy and implementation for gender equality project seeks rapid and sustained change in the harmful cultural norms and patriarchal attitudes that drive gender inequality and human rights violations. This project is informed by; Unequal distribution of resources, power, and wealth, combined social institutions and norms sustaining inequality, GBV deeply rooted in gender physical violence suffered by children, Sexual violence suffered by girls, Emotional violence suffered by children, Impact of uninvolved fathers, Lack of positive role models for boys and girls and Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This project builds on Sonke’s longstanding work with MEA and its country networks and prioritises capacity building and organisational strengthening as a means of ensuring local ownership and has further planned for regular learning exchanges across the three country networks. Sonke will engage with country secretariats to provide input into regional policy processes and advocacy activities, ensuring that the voices of the partners – and the communities they represent – are heard. An important focus of this project is to strengthen each country networks’ accountability to women’s rights organisations, to ensure that the voices of the women and girls who’s lives we are looking to improve, are part of the process. When social and gender norms are disrupted and civil society organisations and movements have the capacity to advocate for better policies and laws, governments and communities are better at addressing GBV risk factors resulting in improved outcomes for preventing/ reducing GBV incidents.

Understanding that the gender dynamics at the national and local level is critical as this may influence the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project in the long run depending on political, economic, environmental changes and other factors.  This consideration also makes it possible for policy to be undertaken with an appreciation of gender differences, of the nature of relationships amongst the genders and of their different social realities, life expectations and economic circumstances.

Objective:

The objective of this project is to ultimately contribute to an increase in gender equality and a reduction in GBV in Southern Africa.

The project is premised on the following outcomes;

• Outcome 1: MEA country secretariats and members have strengthened capacities to coordinate, implement, enhance, and scale up their gender transformative approaches to GBV prevention and gender equal parenting, including greater accountability to women’s rights principles. 
• Outcome 2: An increased body of evidence from MEA country secretariats and members on promising practices to transform gender norms is disseminated by MEA communication channels and SADC Gender Unit to MEA members, with expectation that MEA members will have increased knowledge about promising practices.
• Outcome 3: MEA country secretariats and members have influenced the development, implementation and monitoring of national and regional laws and policies that promote gender transformative strategies for gender equality and GBV prevention, including the adoption and implementation of the GBV Model Law at SADC level.

Scope of the assignment

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Regional Coordinator and Regional Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Develop a  detailed gender analysis to be carried out during the  Inception Phase to further identify country specific gaps and barriers concerning policies and/or barriers for their implementation. The gender analysis will be expected to guide the policy priorities of the respective country projects. The gender analysis will be integrated into the respective Gender Action Plan of each country.
2. Examine and assess the differential impact of proposed and/or existing policies, programs and legislation on women, men and gender non-conforming persons. It will examine the different roles, rights, and opportunities of these groups, identify disparities, (e.g unpaid care work,) examine why such disparities exist, determine whether they are a concern, and look at how they can be addressed.
3. Present the findings to the 3 country partners and provide strategic guidance on the Regional engagement with SADC .

Methodology

This will be developed and specified by the consultant and will cover the following:

1. Literature review: law and policy reviews, national gender reports, most recent gender-related research and reports, reports and interviews from partners of the 3 selected countries, inception meetings/policy capacity building workshops reports
2. Review of the three countries respective compilations of key policy priorities and actions to address the identified and agreed upon policy gaps
3. Stakeholders consultations: national and county gender key players,
4. Focus Group Discussion with Network Partners (working within similar scope)
5. Key Informant Interviews
6. Data analysis: the data collected from desk review, stakeholder consultation and/ field survey will be analyzed as per scope
7. Produce written report and Gender Action plan: based on the data collected and analyzed, recommend the key gaps for intervention.

Required Qualifications and Experience of the Consultancy firm/individual

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced degree qualifications in Gender, Development Studies, Law, Social Sciences, or relevant fields.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years practical experience in the field of gender equality and gender mainstreaming
• Formal training in gender analysis and gender planning, demonstrated expertise in policy and advocacy and expertise in masculinities and gender
• Thorough understanding of the gender context in Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe and the SADC region, and previous experience working policy development at national, regional level with understanding of relevant international laws
• Familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies in the specific area of intervention
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating policy
• Strong communication skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders, including government officials.
• Computer skills: full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and common internet applications will be required

Only applicants who can prove possession or association of the stipulated qualifications will be shortlisted and contacted.

End Product Deliverable

• Research Report including literature review, methodology/approach
• A comprehensive gender analysis report and gender action plan
• At least 2 PowerPoint presentations: one for use in debriefing meeting(s) and the other for use during advocacy events

Deliverables in response to this call

• Submit written proposal that depicts understanding of this expected task, methodology and approach in response to this ToR including budget
• Submit C.V and portfolio to hiring@genderjustice.org.za   

Duration of the consultancy

The consultant is expected to carry out this assignment over a period of 3 months starting March 2023 through to May 2023.

Task Budget: R100 000.00

Selection process and shortlisting

A panel constituted by Sonke Gender Justice will review for shortlisting all received applications on amongst others the following criteria: 

• Understanding of the task at hand
• Technical Consideration on Gender Policy and Monitoring and Evaluation
• Innovation and learning
• Consultants track record/experience.
• Overall cost

Submission deadline

 11 March 2023