Call for Tender: Women Empowerment Study

1. Introduction

Across the globe, women face tremendous challenges when it comes to equitable access to resources, exercising meaningful agency and decision-making power and aspiring to and accomplishing achievements. Despite gains made in recent decades towards inclusion and empowerment, significant challenges still remain for women, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings where these challenges are exacerbated.

2. Objective

arche noVa is looking for a tailored analysis in accordance with the German Feminist Development Policy dimension of 3Rs – rights, resources and representation as well as the principle of intersectionality. The focus shall be on the implementation sectors (WASH, FSL and informal education) for the context of North West and North East Syria with the following objectives:

• Provide a review and context specific analysis of gender-specific risks, needs, roles, responsibilities, and constraints for the context in general, with in-depth focus on food security and livelihoods but including also access to and participation in WASH services.
• Assess gender disparities in access to resources, decision-making processes, and benefits within the project areas. In turn indicate the resilience capacities for stabilisation, adaptation and transformation that women possess that can be strengthened at different levels (individuals, households, communities/local structures),
• Understand the impact and protection concerns of gender norms, attitudes, and practices on primary and secondary education, youth training and employment and food security and livelihood strategies.
• Identify what gender-specific or transformative interventions increase women’s empowerment and gender-equality in general with specific focus on the outlined sectoral engagements.
• Provide clear recommendations to mainstream gender considerations into project interventions based on the initial activity outline for greater effectiveness and inclusivity potentially proposing alternative gender-specific activities based on the intervention sectors and aligned with organizations mandate.
• Provide recommendations and indicators on making the project activities meeting the DAC gender equality policy marker criteria.
• Identify the required expertise to plan and realise activities that empower women within the programmatic project areas.
• Identify local stakeholders who can complement interventions especially with a view on implementing advocacy and protection interventions tailored to the three sectors (WASH, FSL and informal education)

The analysis will encompass participants from the general population: individuals of all ages and genders, as well as those from specific population sub-groups such as displaced populations, refugees, women, youth, and others. This broad definition of the population enables to conduct subgroup analyses within this review.

The analysis shall provide a critical view on realistic recommendations tailored to the context. This includes a thorough reflection on the role of arche noVa as an international INGO operating in areas ruled by non-recognized governmental structures, taking into account the red-lines of cooperation, do-no-harm principles and visibility risks. Additionally, the analysis should provide guidance on which part of gender-sensitive and gender-transformative implementation is suitable for AN own implementation and which should be implemented by local partners.

3. Scope of work

• Review existing literature, reports, and data related to gender issues and analysis in the project area.
• Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and other participative methods with project stakeholders including men, women, and marginalized groups (displaced people, minorities and disadvantaged groups).
• Analyze data to identify gender-specific patterns, challenges, and opportunities.
• Assess the role of gender in decision-making processes, access to resources, and participation in project activities.
• Explore the impact of cultural and social norms on gender relations and their implications for project outcomes.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned from similar projects or initiatives to inform gender-responsive approaches.

3.1. Locations to be considered:

• Raqqa: Ar-Raqqa, Ath-Thawra, Karama, Jurneyyeh, and Mansura sub-districts
• Deir Ez-Zor Kasra district, Sur district
• Aleppo Governorate: Ain al Arab District; Sarrin Subdistrict

4. Methodology

• Review the project concept note and secondary literature and assessments.
• Utilize participatory approaches, ensuring the active involvement of diverse stakeholders, including women, men, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Employ both quantitative and to a limited degree qualitative method to gather comprehensive data on gender dynamics.
• Use gender-sensitive tools and frameworks to analyze data and interpret findings.
• Ensure ethical considerations, confidentiality, and informed consent throughout the data collection process.
• Engage local partners, community leaders, and gender focal points to facilitate access and trust among respondents.
• Organizing weekly follow up meetings to update arche noVa on the progress

5. Deliverables

• Inception Report: Provide a detailed plan outlining the methodology, tools, workplan and timeline, and responsibilities for conducting the Gender Analysis.
• Developing and sharing the needed tools such as KIIs, and FGS guides and other participatory tools.
• Draft Gender Analysis Report: Present preliminary findings, including data analysis, key findings, and emerging themes for review and feedback.
• Final Gender Analysis Report: Incorporate feedback and finalize the report, including comprehensive analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and actionable strategies for integrating gender considerations into the project.

6. Qualifications:

The consultant/team conducting the gender analysis should possess the following qualifications:

1. Demonstrated experience in conducting gender analysis assessments,. Experience with BMZ-TDA analysis is a plus, experience in Syria and MENA countries is a plus
2. Expertise in qualitative method research methodologies, including data collection, and analysis techniques.
3. Familiarity with participatory approaches and community engagement methods, such as focus group discussions and other participatory approaches.
4. Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to present complex findings in a clear and concise manner.
5. Knowledge of the local context, including socio-economic dynamics, cultural factors, and environmental challenges relevant to the project area.

7. Data protection

Consultants should ensure that all data collected, stored, or processed is done so in compliance with relevant data protection laws and regulations using secure systems for data storage, encryption where necessary, and implementing access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

8. Confidentiality

Consultants must maintain strict confidentiality regarding client and interviewees information, discussions, and any sensitive data they come across during their work. This involves not disclosing client details or project specifics without explicit permission, both during and after the consulting engagement.

9. Informed consent

Consultants should obtain informed consent from clients and interviewees before collecting any personal or sensitive information. This includes explaining the purpose of data collection, how the data will be used, who will have access to it, and any potential risks involved.

10. Time line

The gender analysis is expected to be completed within six weeks from the signature of the contract.

11. Budget

The consultant shall submit a his/her offer including all costs and taxes.

12. Reporting and coordination

The consultant/team will report directly to the regional FSL advisor of arche noVa, designated as the focal point for the gender analysis within the project team. Regular coordination meetings and updates will be scheduled to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines.

13. Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Technical expertise and experience in gender analysis especially in Syria.
2. Methodological rigor and appropriateness of proposed approach.
3. Clarity and feasibility of the work plan and timeline.
4. Value for money

14. Submission of Proposals

Interested consultants/teams are invited to submit their proposals in accordance with the instructions provided in the Request for Proposals (RFP) document issued by arche noVa. Proposals should be submitted by the deadline specified in the RFP. The following documents shall be submitted:

• Financial offer including breakdown of covered cost points for all human and operations resources
• CV/portfolio of the assigned people
• At least 1 similar report with references
• Methodology including framework and research questions to outline clear understanding and suitability to the task

Draft workplan and timeframe with clear timeline for each task

How to apply

arche noVa (AN) is a humanitarian organization from Dresden, Germany, that has been supporting people in need for over two decades and implementing long-term development cooperation and education programs.

The organisation is providing assistance in Syria in the WASH, FSL, Education, Shelter and emergency response sectors since 2012.

On the instructions of the German BMZ, arche noVa requests the services from qualified consultancy companies to implement three studies: 1) on resilience, 2) on women empowerment and 3) on peace and conflict. The studies will accompany a four-year multisectoral proposal that is under preparation and that will be submitted in August 2024.

Interested consultancy companies can request the Terms of References (ToRs) of the three studies on the following e-mail address: cv.syria@arche-nova.org

Quotations must be sent by email in PDF format not later than Monday, 8th of July 2024, 12.00 German time, to the following email address:
cv.syria@arche-nova.org with reference: Tender Women Empowerment Study