Gender Equality and Governance Specialist

STATEMENT OF WORK

Job Title: Gender Equality and Governance Specialist

Position Type: Consultancy (up to 21days per month)

Duration: March 2024 to February 2025

Position Location: Gauteng province, South Africa

Application Deadline: 22nd February 2024

Start Date: 1st April 2024

Assignment Duration: 1 year with 3 months’ probation period

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

Field Support Services Project (FSSP) Kenya, Somalia and South Africa is a two-year project (November 2023 –October 2025) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Cowater International. FSSP provides administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical services, as well as support to the in-country development programming for the Government of Canada through the provision of technical specialists in a number of sectors and assisting GAC in procuring and managing local development initiatives. These programs take place in South Africa, as well as in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe. Namibia when requested.

BACKGROUND

Canada’s vision for international assistance is rooted in its Feminist International Assistance Policy that seeks to eradicate poverty and build a more peaceful more inclusive and more prosperous world by promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. Canada focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in a manner that is both targeted and crosscutting. A targeted approach to gender equality includes a focus on initiatives that fight poverty and inequality by supporting gender equality and defending the rights of women and girls, particularly’ their sexual health and reproductive rights. A simultaneous cross cutting approach to gender equality means that all of Canada’s international assistance initiatives, across all action areas, are developed and implemented in ways that improve gender equality and empower women and girls. This dual approach requires that all of Canada’s implementing partners must consult with women and involve them in needs assessments, decision making and planning of initiatives, as well as in the implementation monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Canada considers inclusive governance to be fundamental to long-term sustainable development. Governance is inclusive when it effectively serves and engages all people takes into account gender and other facets of personal identity and when institutions, policies, processes, and services are accessible, accountable, and responsible to all members of society. Fostering governance that is inclusive is essential to advancing democratic values, including peaceful pluralism and respect for diversity, human rights and equality. In implementing this policy, Canada recognizes that country ownership is the driving factor. Locally led approaches can result in important incremental changes that benefit all people. Fostering inclusive governance requires thorough knowledge of national and sub-national governance issues, and of local power conflict dynamics.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Canadian High Commission in Pretoria requires the services of a Gender Equality and Governance Specialist to support its programming over a renewable term of 1-year. The Specialist will provide field level: (1) analysis (2) advice and technical support and (3) policy input on matters related to gender equality and inclusive governance relevant to Canada’s development assistance programs in South Africa, as well as in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Namibia when requested. Cowater International is supporting the Canadian High Commission in Pretoria to recruit a Gender Equality & Governance Technical Specialist in Gauteng province. As required by GAC, the Specialist will have a solid knowledge of general and specific gender & governance issues, a good knowledge of South Africa context, general knowledge of official development assistance principles, and a good knowledge of the Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

SCOPE

By providing field level analysis, adviceand technical support, and policy input relating to gender equality and governance to the Canadian High Commission in Pretoria, the Specialists efforts will support and strengthen the delivery of Canada’s international assistance programming in South Africa, as well as in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, when requested.

The Specialist’s key responsibilities will include:

• Sectoral analysis
• Sectoral advice and expertise
• Support to program and project planning & design.
• Support to program & project monitoring & reporting.
• Support to Canada’s engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Project-Level Technical Advice:

1. Provide written analysis and/or comments and technical services to facilitate the integration of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and/or on governance as a cross-cutting themes into projects, strategies, and programming across the South Africa development program.
2. Assist in identifying gender equality and/or governance programming opportunities fitting with Global Affairs Canada priorities (e.g., ODA program priorities) in country.
3. Review project proposals and advise project teams on the planning of projects to ensure they reach the highest possible level of gender equality integration.
4. Support integration of gender equality considerations in due diligence processes for planned projects.
5. Coach implementing partners on the development of gender-sensitive analysis, and corresponding results frameworks and budgets, and how to regularly monitor and report on these results frameworks.
6. Support gender-sensitive monitoring and oversight of operational projects—through field missions and review of (i) work plans, (ii) semi-annual and annual narrative and financial reports, (iii) mission/field reports; and (iv) any other documents produced by implementing partners—to understand how projects are progressing on the achievement of their outcomes and to identify areas for improvement, etc.
7. Participate in field monitoring visits and/or contribute to the preparation and content of Global Affairs Canada’s development team monitoring missions to observe program progress and conduct technical review and audits.

Program-Level Technical Advice:

1. Gender – Review and provide written analysis on emerging gender equality issues and challenges in the country, as well as on South Africa gender equality policies, strategies. Governance – Conduct governance analyses that take into consideration the political, economic, social realities and constraints, emerging governance issues and challenges in the South Africa. For both sectors, outline linkages with Global Affairs Canada’s policy framework and country program priorities.
2. Identifies relevant approaches and opportunities to enhance linkages with other stakeholders and initiatives in South Africa on programming related to gender equality and/or governance.
3. Assist with program reporting on gender equality and governance key performance indicators.
4. Undertake any duties related to the gender equality and governance and sector in South Africa, as well as in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Knowledge-Building**:**

1. Support the dissemination at HQ and in the field of GAC policies, programming priorities and tools in support of governance and/or gender equality, especially with regards to best practices and lessons learned, and results-based management.
2. Provide advice to South Africa Development team on issues that need to be raised in policy dialogue and/or advocacy with government, other donors, civil society organizations, etc.,
3. Attend gender equality and/or governance related meetings and presentations as a resource person, contributing to knowledge sharing and policy dialogue.
4. Establish and maintain contacts within relevant Ministries, Development Partner Communities and other gender equality and governance stakeholders in South Africa.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• University degree in social anthropology, gender, sociology, international development/relations, or other field directly related to the substantive areas of this position. A post-graduate degree in relevant field is an asset.

Minimum Experience:

• At least 8 years of field work experience implementing, managing, and/or providing technical assistance to programs in developing countries with a focus on gender equality and /or governance is required.

Required skills and experience

• Significant demonstrated knowledge and experience in the areas of empowerment of women, human rights (e.g. LGBTQI), gender-based violence, sexual reproductive health, and rights, and/or governance.
• Understanding of the social dimensions of the just energy transition is an asset.
• Proven experience in conducting gender and/or governance analyses with key findings and actionable recommendations.
• Substantial experience in design and monitoring gender equality projects and ensuring gender issues are integrated into all programs.
• Strong understanding of gender equality concepts and demonstrated experience in applying gender-based analytical tools and conceptual frameworks to programming.
• Support and provide relevant inputs in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating progress of gender / governance centred projects.
• Previous experience in writing comprehensive reports on gender equality / governance aimed at informing programme design and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience working on gender equality/governance policy and/or programmatic issues with national/local governments and/or civil society organizations (e.g., women’s rights organizations).
• Developing and implementing conceptually innovative approaches to the provision of gender equality and governance technical expertise.
• Knowledge and experience applying Results-Based Management (RBM) approaches, including experience with effective gender indicators and data collection considerations.

The following skills and experience will be an asset:

• Experience in conducting Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), and/or in addressing gender inequality across the sectors addressed by the FIAP action areas.
• Experience carrying out participatory gender-based analysis.
• Experience in facilitating gender responsive stakeholder meetings.
• Experience working with GAC and or other key donors in the region such as GIZ, USAID, EU, etc.

Competencies, Skills and Behaviours:

• Ability to be strategic and entrepreneurial, and to foster a cultural environment of innovation and collaboration.
• Ability to synthesize information from varied sources and analyze its relevance for different functions.
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to contribute to research, monitoring, evaluation and learning activities.
• Able to work independently while also working in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with a range of stakeholders and at all levels in an empowering way.
• Advanced computers skills (Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe)

Language Requirements: The reporting will be written in English.

Working arrangements.

• The Gender Equality and Governance Specialist will attend meetings virtually and in-person. All travel expenses will be subject to prior approval by FSSP manager. The Payment is conditional upon satisfactory delivery of the assignments. In the event that travel to other regions or cities is necessary, all necessary costs will be borne by GAC, through the Field Support Services Project (FSSP).
• The specialist will report to the Project Manager, Field Support Services Project (FSSP) and work closely with the development team of the Canadian High Commission

Ownership of Intellectual Property

• Documentation produced by the specialist in the performance of the work under the contract shall remain the property of the Canadian High Commission.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants must include the following documents:

1. CV indicating past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
2. Cover Letter indicating why the Candidate considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
3. Financial Proposal The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate (including taxes, time-off benefits, all statutory contributions, social contributions, and insurance). The daily rate should consider a maximum working day of 7.5 hours.
4. Applications must be submitted by 22nd February 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Apply here: Cowater International Career Opportunities – Cowater International with the subject:Gender Equality and Governance Specialist. Any applications received after this time will not be considered.

Evaluation of Applications

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70% – Comprising of 15% scores of desk review, 25% written test, and 30% scores of interviews) and financial criteria (30%). The proposals that achieve a minimum of 70% in the technical desk review shall be further considered for interviews and written tests. The Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by FSSP for the assignment.

Technical Score (70%)

Financial Score (30%)

1. Based on Qualification (desk review) (15%)

2. Written test (25%)

3. Interview (30%)

NB: Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points (70% of the desk technical review) will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec; London, United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; and Brussels, Belgium, in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.