TERMS OF REFERENCE Consultant, Market Resilience to Climate Change Project, Fiji CFC No. 2016/11 RE-ADVERTISEMENT Duty Station: Type of Contract: Post Type: Field Visits: Suva, Fiji Islands Individual Contract/SSA International Consultant 40 working days (The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 40 days within the period of 1 August 30 October 2016). To twelve Fiji project sites: Ba, Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi, Namaka, Nausori, Rakiraki, Sigatoka, Suva, Tavua, Levuka and Savusavu municipal markets. Expected Duration of Assignment: 1 August 30 th October, 2016 Application Deadline: Monday 25 July 2016 5.30pm Fiji Time Organisational Context The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. UN Women provides support to Member States efforts and priorities in meeting their gender equality goals and for building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) covering the Pacific sub-region has four main thematic areas: Advancing Gender Justice in the Pacific (AGJP); Ending Violence against Women (EVAW); Improving Women s Economic Empowerment (WEE); Increasing Community Resilience through the Empowerment of Women to Address Climate Change and Natural Hazards (IREACH). Background This appointment concerns a joint project between two UN Women programmes: Women s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR). 1
UN Women s Markets for Change (M4C) Project is a six-year initiative that focuses on three Melanesian countries of the Pacific - Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Given that over 65% of market vendors are women, with many more women reliant on market produce, the project s goal is to ensure that marketplaces in rural and urban areas are safe, inclusive and nondiscriminatory, promoting the gender, social and economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors. Through the creation of representative groups in marketplaces, a focus on economic security, the strengthening of local government institutions, procedures and development approach, and the design and building of gender-responsive infrastructure, the M4C project strengthens the network of market vendors, enables market vendors to influence market management and resource allocation and supports the economic and social empowerment of market vendors, and the advancement of women market vendors. In Fiji, the focus is on twelve project sites: Ba, Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi, Namaka, Nausori, Rakiraki, Sigatoka, Suva, Tavua, Levuka and Savusavu municipal markets. UN Women s climate change and disaster risk reduction programme focuses on women s empowerment as a catalyst for climate change adaptation and sustainable development. It supports the implementation of climate change and disaster risk reduction policies, institutional frameworks and action in a way that also addresses gender inequality in the region. Disasters and climate change have the potential to undermine and even reverse sustainable development in the Pacific. Conversely, enhancing gender equality and women s empowerment is acknowledged as a catalyst and a prerequisite for sustainable social and economic development. Thus, building resilience to disasters and climate change in the Pacific goes hand in hand with the promotion of gender equality. Key Objectives The importance of markets to the livelihoods of women in Fiji and across the Pacific is well recognised by the M4C project. The risk that climate change and natural disasters presents to market operation, and income and food security for these women has been highlighted by recent weather events. There is an urgent need to prepare and strengthen these community systems in the face of climate change. However, limited information is available in Fiji in regards to the resilience of market structures and amenities, the vendors and their livelihoods, market supply chains and financing for kick-starting market related livelihoods following a disaster. Such information is necessary to understand the complex actual and potential impacts of climate change on market systems, and to aid the identification and design of effective strategies to make markets and market vendors more resilient to future climate change and disaster risks. This research project requires assessments to be carried out for all twelve M4C markets to measure risk and to inform the development of disaster risk management plans. Risk assessment, climate change adaptation and disaster preparations are needed not just for ongoing sustainability of the markets but also for the communities as a whole. The findings of the assessment will add a new disaster preparedness component to the M4C project, enabling 2
the communities whose livelihoods reply on the market to be better prepared for disasters and better able to maintain or recover their livelihoods following future disasters. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative and the direct supervision of the M4C Fiji Project Manager, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks: - Project planning in liaison with M4C and Climate Change project/programme staff to finalise a work plan in line with the objectives of the research - Completion of field research at each of the twelve markets to assess climate vulnerability through mapping, focus groups, interviews and stakeholder meetings as per the agreed project methodology (draft available), using appropriate and preagreed assessment tools and checklists and assisted by local staff members and translators where appropriate - Critical analysis of results of desk-based and field work to assess relative risks at each of the market locations - Report on the above findings with observations and clear recommendations for action including a model market disaster preparedness and response plan - Attend a consultative meeting with market stakeholders to present findings and discuss the further development, implementation and use of the market disaster preparedness and response plan for effective response to disasters The following deliverables are expected (all documents to be available electronically): Description Set Activities per Deliverable Outputs, Due Dates and Payment Schedule Project work plan Project planning in liaison with M4C and Climate Change project/programme Initial project meeting - 18 July staff Brief methodology - 25 July Agree and finalise a methodology to Work plan meet the objectives of the research - 25 July Agree and finalise a work plan for completing the field work, analysis and Number of days: 3 reporting activities 25% of total fee Short report for each Fiji M4C market Planning of fieldwork logistics with the assistance of M4C team Schedule fieldwork meetings and contact required attendees Further develop existing assessment tools and checklists for data collection Travel to each of the twelve market sites for field research to assess climate Market mapping and focus groups completed at 12 sites Interviews completed at 12 sites Approx 2-page report submitted for each site - 19 September Number of days: 30 3
Description Set Activities per Deliverable Outputs, Due Dates and Payment Schedule vulnerability as per the agreed project methodology. Fieldwork to include: 50% of total fee - Stakeholder meetings - Market walkover for mapping and photography - Focus group discussions with market staff and vendors (10-12 people/site) - Individual semi-structured interviews (4-6 people/site) The fieldwork will be assisted by local staff and translators where required. Critical analysis of results of desk and field based work to assess relative risks at each of the market locations Research findings and recommendations report Draft report on the findings with observations, analysis and clear recommendations for action Reviewed and final recommendations report Model market disaster preparedness and response plan Preparation and attendance at consultative meeting with market stakeholders to present findings and discuss the further development, implementation and use of the disaster preparedness and response plan Draft report - 3 October Final report - 17 October Number of days: 7 25% of total fee 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 organisation and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity. Functional Competencies Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships and able to work collaboratively with client, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; 4
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. Knowledge Management and Learning Provide technical lead in the formulation of research method, organise and undertake background research, produce technical reports tailored appropriately to the target audience. Ability to analyse and synthesise results, knowledge and evidence generated from a literature review and fieldwork into a report with clear findings and recommendations laid out. Development and Operational Effectiveness Ability to lead strategic planning and results-based management and reporting; Ability to lead the formulation and monitoring of technical research projects; Solid knowledge of information and communication technology, general administration; Ability to lead project implementation and positively engage staff. Qualifications Education: Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field such as Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, Geography, Economics, Sociology or a closely related discipline. Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international development or sustainable development work focused on, or strongly involving, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, women s leadership and gender equality or programming and policymaking at national, regional and international levels; Proven experience in research project development, management and coordination; Experience in developing and facilitating forums for learning and discussion; Skilled writer, researcher, facilitator and communicator, with experience writing materials for UN agencies, donors and partners United Nations experience an asset. Pacific experience an asset. Language: Excellent written and spoken English. Timeframes and Institutional Arrangements 5
The consultant will be engaged for up to 40 working days, some in the field and some homebased. Interested individual consultants must submit the following information to demonstrate their qualifications: 1. Cover letter: (not more than 450 words) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; 2. Financial proposal: indicate daily fee which should be inclusive of all other costs. Only travel within Fiji and DSA for days in the field will be paid under the contract in addition to the fee; 3. Curriculum vitae including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references and signed P11 form. Financial Proposal The contract is based on daily fees. Payments will be made upon receipt of a progress reports against the agreed deliverables, approved and duly signed by the UN Women Representative. How to Apply Interested applicants should send their applications inclusive of technical and financial proposal to the following address: - CFC No. 2016/11: Consultant, Market Resilience to Climate Change Project The Representative UN Women Fiji Multi country Office Level 3, Kadavu House Suva, Fiji Or emailed to: pacific.registry@unwomen.org By Monday 25 July 2016 at 5.30pm Fiji Time. Only applications for which there is further interest will be contacted. 6