Project Overview
SAfAIDS in partnership with Sonke Gender Justice and GIZ aims to increase knowledge and awareness around unpaid care work and its linkage to gender based violence in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Unpaid care work refers to the activities and responsibilities that individuals undertake without receiving monetary compensation. These activities typically involve providing care and support to family members, friends, or community members. Globally, women and girls tend to bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “caregiving gender gap” or “feminization of care” and is a result of social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
Purpose of this Consultancy
SAfAIDS seeks to recruit the services of a consultant to conduct the State of Fathers Report for Zimbabwe on unpaid care work project. The report is aimed at assessing the following.
- Assess the attitudes and behaviours of fathers towards unpaid care work in their homes.
- Factors that influence existing negative gender norms and harmful gender practices towards unpaid care work.
- Make recommendations which will inform future projects and interventions and outline best practices.
Time schedule
The estimated duration of the report is 3 months, starting 7 December 2023 and ending 5 February 2024 when the final report will be submitted. Within the first 1st weeks of the consultancy, the consultant is expected to produce an inception report, including a detailed work plan and methodology. The consultant is expected to convey the main findings and recommendations in a meeting with SAfAIDS before finalisation of the report.
Background and context of the project
Unpaid care work is a significant part of economic activity as well as an essential factor in the well-being of individuals, families, and societies. Every day, people spend time cooking, cleaning, and caring for children, the elderly, and the sick. Despite its relevance for well-being, unpaid care work is frequently not included in policy agendas due to the widespread misconception that, unlike traditional market work metrics, it is too complex to quantify and therefore less relevant for policy. The unequal allocation of unpaid care work between men and women violates women’s rights (UN, 2013) and limits their economic empowerment. According to research, men and boys in Zimbabwe often perceive unpaid care work as women’s work, and they do not see it as their responsibility. This is often due to traditional gender roles and cultural norms that reinforce these perceptions. For example, men and boys often perceive unpaid care work as “women’s work” because it is associated with the domestic sphere, which is seen as the domain of women and girls. In addition, men and boys may also feel that their time is more valuable when spent on paid work, and that unpaid care work is a distraction from that. However, ignoring unpaid care labor leads to inaccurate conclusions about individuals’ well-being and the value of time, limiting policy efficacy across a range of socioeconomic domains, most notably gender inequality in employment and other empowerment areas.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the report is to assess the perceptions, beliefs, behaviour and attitudes of fathers towards unpaid care work in Zimbabwe. The report will determine the extent to which unpaid care work is contributing to GBV including IPV and gender inequality. It will also determine extent to which GBV, and gender equality policies and related frameworks are influencing gender norms. The findings of the report will be used to develop and strengthen interventions, inform policy development, promote gender equality, and assist in quantifying the economic value of unpaid care work.
Report Scope
Time Frame
This study will take place between 7 December 2023 and 5 February 2024 when the final report will be due.
Geographical coverage
The study will be undertaken in four provinces of Zimbabwe; Bulawayo, Hwange, Mutare and Harare
Target Groups
This study will primarily target fathers and sons. It will also target women and girls, duty bearers, religious leaders and traditional leaders.
Report design and methodology
Proposed data collection methods and analysis
Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods should be used through a combination of surveys, focus group discussions/interviews, desk studies (reviewing project documents, annual progress reports and other relevant study documentation), and additional primary data collection required. Field workers will be required for quantitative data collection, researchers can make use of tools such as Google forms or Survey Monkey. It is preferred that qualitative data collection happens face to face, alternatively it can take place via telephone, Microsoft teams, Zoom, Skype etc. All qualitative data must be recorded and transcribed accordingly to ensure data quality. Data analysis should be conducted on Stata, SPSS or any other relevant software. Additional follow-up data collection should take place to fill in any knowledge gaps and further validate findings.
Data sources
Both primary and secondary data sources should be used, the proposed data sources include but should not be limited to:
- Desk review on institutional policies and programmes, relevant project documents such as the concept note and programmatic M&E frameworks
- Quantitative data to be collected through a representative survey.
- Qualitative data to be collected through focus groups discussions and/or key informant interviews.
Proposed sampling methods
For the quantitative methodology, a reliable sample size should be calculated based on the focus areas and the communities served by SAfAIDS. Both primary and secondary target groups should be selected via stratified random sampling/proportional random sampling considering beneficiary type, geographic area and any other key defining factors decided by the researcher.
Report ethics
In preparing the proposal the researchers/s must put in place specific safeguards and protocols to protect the safety (both physical and psychological) of respondents and those collecting the data as well as to prevent harm. Members of the research team should understand and be sensitive to the political, socio-economic, historical, and cultural context across sites where data collection occurs and ensure the rights of the individual are protected and participation in the research does not result in further violation of their rights.
The researcher/s must have a plan in place to:
- Protect the rights of respondents, including privacy and confidentiality in line with the POPI Act provisions.
- Elaborate on how informed consent will be obtained and to ensure that the names of individuals consulted during data collection will not be made public.
- If the project involves children (under 18 years old) the researcher/s must consider additional risks and the need for parental consent.
- The researcher/s must be trained in collecting sensitive information.
- Data collection tools must be designed in a way that is culturally appropriate and does not create distress for respondents.
- Data collection visits should be organized at the appropriate time and place to minimize risk to respondents.
- The interviewer or data collector must be able to provide information on how individuals in situations of risk can seek support (referrals to organizations that can provide counseling support, for example)
- Researchers must adhere to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act) and ensure that confidentiality of individuals and data collection is preserved.
Key deliverables of the study and timeframe
- Research Inception Report by 7 December 2024
- Draft Report + key findings presentation by 22 January 2024
- Final Report including infographic by 5 February 2024
Study team composition
Roles and responsibilities
The lead and co lead researcher will be responsible for undertaking the research from start to finish and for managing the research team under the supervision of research task manager from SAFAIDS and Sonke Gender Justice for the data collection and analysis, as well as report drafting and finalization in English.
Required Competencies
Team lead and co lead:
- Research experience at least 10 years in conducting external study’s, with mixed-methods research skills and having flexibility in using non-traditional and innovative research methods.
- Experience with program design and theory of change, gender-responsive research, participatory approaches, and stakeholder engagement.
- Experience in collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data as well as data visualization.
- In-depth knowledge of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion
- A strong commitment to delivering timely and high-quality results, i.e., credible research and a report that can be used.
- A strong team leadership and management track record, as well as interpersonal and communication skills to help ensure that the research is understood and used.
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts.
- Regional/Country experience and knowledge
- Language proficiency: fluency in English with an added advantage of Shona and Ndebele
Management Arrangements of the Research
The overall research will be managed by Sonke’s Evaluation Monitoring Research and Learning (RMEL) unit and the SAfAIDS Strategic Information and Evaluation (SIE) Team. Researchers will liaise with the Sonke RMEL unit and program staff for relevant project documentation and clarification, and assistance in liaising and connecting with relevant stakeholders and primary and secondary beneficiaries. The Sonke RMEL unit will also set up feedback/check-in sessions to discuss any further support or clarification required.
Budget
The total budget for the research is 14700 USD which includes all travel costs for the research team and other logistic expenses such as refreshments and transport reimbursement for participants.
How to apply
Should you wish to apply, please send five separate documents to Musa Hove and copy to Diana Macauley by COB 4 December 2023. If selected, induction will start on 7 December 2023.
Email: musa@safaids.net and diana@genderjustice.org.za
- Brief 1-1.5-page cover letter citing your relevant expertise for the consultancy.
- Detailed CV including examples of similar study’s completed (4 pages maximum)
- Quotation
- Short proposal including work plan and budget.
- Example of similar work completed.
