Consultant for Operationalisation of Gender Equality Policy and Gender Architecture Framework
Terms of Reference for Operationalisation of Gender Equality Policy and Gender Architecture Framework, Maldives
(Project: MDV4G32A)
1. Purpose
The work towards achieving gender equality in the Maldives has been on-going but the capacity to realize necessary legislation and its enforcement are still found to be weak. According to the recent assessment, MDG 3 is one of the two MDGs that Maldives is not likely to achieve (the other one is MDG 7: environmental sustainability). The change of Government in the 2008 elections brought in a new Government that changed the existing government architecture. This include, amongst other changes, the absorption of the former Ministry of Gender and Family into the Ministry of Health as the Department of Gender and Family Protection Services, mainly responsible to provide protection services to children and women. Addressing gender issues in all areas which had been part of the mandate of the former Ministry of Gender and Family, but one that had not become sufficiently institutionalized or mainstreamed within that Ministry, let alone other sectors, due to the weak positioning of the Lead Agency within one sectoral ministry was removed and placed at the centre with the Policy Office of The President’s Office taking the lead for Gender Mainstreaming. UNFPA provided the technical assistance to develop the necessary Gender Equality Policy and Gender Mainstreaming Operationalisation Framework to absorb this shift and facilitate informed-decision making leading to the practical realisation of gender equality goals. With the adoption of the National Gender Equality Policy and gender mainstreaming as the strategy towards realisation of gender equality, the challenge now is to develop the capacity of the Policy Office of the President’s Office as Lead Agency as well as sectoral ministries and other departments. Hence, in this context, an international consultant is sought to provide technical assistance to the President’s Office and DGFPS in the operationalization of this policy and framework. The primary client of this consultancy is the President’s Office, Maldives.
It is expected that this consultancy will build the capacity of the President’s office, DGFPS and the Gender Focal Points to operationalise and institutionalize the Gender Equality Policy and the Gender Mainstreaming framework. Landmark Outputs: 1. Conceptual clarity on Gender, and the technical knowledge to lead Gender Mainstreaming developed amongst Policy Office staff at The President’s Office 2. Conceptual clarity on Gender, and the capacity for Gender Analysis and Gender Responsive Planning developed amongst Gender Focal Points, all Permanent Secretaries and programme-level staff at sectoral ministries. 3. Guidelines for Lead Agency role in Gender Mainstreaming and monitoring implementation of Gender Equality Policy by sectoral ministries developed. 4. Guidelines for effective monitoring of Gender Mainstreaming in sectoral ministries developed. 5. Guidelines/Handbooks to guide Gender Analysis of sectoral programmes at all levels (Programme/ project development, implementation and monitoring levels) developed. (Note: Sectoral Handbooks will be broadly based on the Commonwealth Gender Mainstreaming Series handbooks). 2. Profile of consultant
- Primary expertise required: Have demonstrated skills for facilitating gender mainstreaming with broad range of stakeholders - Educational background: At least a Master’s degree in Gender Studies or in the field of Social Sciences - Work experience: Have at least 10 years of experience working in the field of gender, and/or prior working experience of mainstreaming gender in policies and structures - Language: Excellent writing and communication skills in English Language - Excellent negotiation, facilitation and inter-personal skills - Familiarity with Maldives’ political and socio-economic situation is an asset - Computer skills including use of internet and other office applications 3. Work setting
The consultant will be located in the Policy Office of The President’s Office and will coordinate with Gender and Social Development Expert in the same office. Additional reporting will be to the International Programme Coordinator at UNFPA Country Office in the Maldives, and Deputy Minister of Ministry of Health and Family (who is looking after Gender and Family Protection issues), on a regular basis. Duration: Total of three months between April to June, 2010 4. Work plan
Weekly workplan to be developed by the consultant in consultation with the President’s Office and DGFPS to ensure the delivery of outputs as specified in the TOR. The required tasks are: 1. Capacity building of Policy Office staff at The President’s Office to take the lead for gender mainstreaming. 1.1 Training on Gender and Gender Analysis 1.2 Prepare the Gender Action Plan based on the gender policy 1.3 Develop guidelines for Lead Agency role in Gender Mainstreaming and monitoring implementation of Gender Equality Policy by sectoral ministries 1.4 Training on effective monitoring of Gender Mainstreaming in sectoral ministries 2. Training of appointed Gender Focal Points and all Permanent Secretaries on Gender; and identification of Gender Issues in their respective sectors. 2.1 Develop guidelines/handbooks to guide Gender Analysis of sectoral programmes at all levels (Programme / project development, implementation and monitoring levels) 2.2 On-the-job trainings for programme-level staff at selected sectoral ministries 3. Develop operational guidelines and training manuals. 5. Specific Conditions
Basis of payment: The consultancy fee payment will be on monthly basis upon the submission of satisfactory outputs as per the agreed workplan (to be developed upon arrival and agreed by the Government) and certification of work by the Government.