By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

National Consultant to conduct a Needs assessment and identify options for economic empowerment for young women living with and vulnerable to HIV in the Karamoja sub-region (Uganda Nationals Only).

Moroto

  • Organization: UNWOMEN - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
  • Location: Moroto
  • Grade: Consultancy - National Consultant - Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Economics
    • HIV and AIDS
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

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. Aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN Women’s Second Chance Education and Vocational Learning Programme presents an opportunity for those who have missed out on education. It aims to break current trends and provide a comprehensive solution for marginalized women and young women who have been left or are at risk of being left behind. This initiative aims to develop context specific, affordable and scalable learning, entrepreneurship and employment pathways for empowering the world’s most disadvantaged women and young women. It offers women and young women, their families, local communities and societies the benefits of access to alternative options for economic empowerment which are tailored not only to their needs as learners, but also to their future as earners. The SCE Programme achieves this by leveraging the opportunities of innovative empowerment approaches, digital technologies and social networks.

There is increasing recognition that economically empowering women is essential both to realize women’s rights and to achieve broader development goals such as economic growth, poverty reduction, better health, education and welfare. In the few years, UNWomen with funding from Irish aid and other development partners have com­mitted themselves to the goal of women’s economic empowerment in Uganda generally and Karamoja region as a specific learning hub. Over these years UNWomen confirms that economically empowering women is a win-win that can benefit not only women, but society more broadly. It promotes women’s ability to achieve their rights and well-being while also addressing household and individual barriers to better health choices, household poverty and increases economic independence and growth.

What started as a project to benefit young women living with HIV, has now been opened to benefit young women vulnerable to HIV and its effects. A few lessons have been learnt. These include the fact that economic empowerment is one of the most powerful routes for women living with HIV to overcome the stigma and hopelessness of living with HIV and take decisions to improve their health and welfare as individuals and households. WLHIV under the project have been able to invest extra income in their children, partners and extended family members and the community at large.

Overall, Uganda still experiences a high HIV disease burden and cost of care specifically affecting young women. The country has one of the highest rates of adult HIV with 6.2% national prevalence and 7.6% for women aged 15-49 years. HIV prevalence is almost 4X higher among females aged 15-24years than in males same age. Most new HIV infections (56%) occur among young females aged 15-24years. Access to HIV prevention and care services for women and girls remain suboptimal with poor treatment support to aid longer-term adherence to prescribed treatments. Among the underlying factors for HIV among this population of young women is intimate partner violence, sexual gender-based violence, limited opportunities for socio-economic empowerment to reduce vulnerability and the inadequacy of young women to make meaningful decisions about their own health.

Working under the immediate supervision of the Gender and HIV Specialist and day-to-day guidance of the Head of sub-office in Moroto and Overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, the consultant will conduct a needs assessment and document viable options for economic empowerment for young women living with and or affected by HIV.  It is anticipated that the findings from the survey shall help practitioners, researchers and donors design effective, measurable interventions to advance young women in Karamoja region economically. We note that economic empowerment is a complex process, the options identified in this assessment should take cognizance of the socio-cultural context of the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

The assessment will cover all seven districts of Karamoja sub region. There will consultations with various district level and community stakeholders in the sub region using various methodologies and shall be appropriate and extensive literature review to facilitate the more strategic analysis and synthesis of the assessment findings. The Consultant is expected to provide a concise report of the assessment with very clear recommendations.

Objectives for the Consultancy:

The key objectives of this assessment therefore are.

  • To establish and document options for economic empowerment of young women living with and vulnerable to HIV in the 7 districts of Karamoja;
  • To establish and document the felt need of the identified options to economic empowerment of young women in Karamoja.

Anticipated tasks:

The Consultant shall undertake the following tasks among others.

  • Prepare data collection tools for the assessment;
  • Train and supervise field assistants that will help to collect data;
  • Receive, review and synthesis field assistants report to generate a comprehensive assessment report;
  • Conduct key informant and focus group discussions as deemed necessary;
  • Present report drafts to the field based joint district Steering Committee, the JUPSA and UN Women Deputy Representative or Designate;
  • Disseminate the final report to the district leadership.

Competencies

Core Values/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 organization and the diversity of its staff;
  • Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core competencies:

  • Ethics and Values: Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity;
  • Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
  • Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
  • Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication;
  • Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others.
  • Conflict Management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution;
  • Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Functional competencies

  • Excellent facilitation and training skills;
  • A good command and fluency in English language;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse and multicultural members;
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Prior experience in presenting and facilitating workshops.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in economics, public health, development studies or any other related area in social sciences field.

Experience:

  • Should possess at least 5years of proven knowledge and experience in providing similar service to public or private organizations;
  • Must be able to conduct the assessment in a consultative manner taking keen care to understand and underscore the role and impact of culture and other social systems factors that may influence the assessment findings;
  • Must have demonstrable and practical experience conducting similar assessments;
  • Must have experience working with local government teams of diverse background.

Language:

  • Knowledge of English is required;
  • Knowledge of the Local Languages (Ngakaramojong and Leb-thur) is an asset.

Application procedures:

  • Cover letter - Explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;
  • P11 and CV including past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted;
  • Methodological proposal – outlining how you plan to carry the tasks and responsibilities of this consultancy;
  • Financial Proposal - Specifying a total lump sum amount in Uganda Shillings for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should include a breakdown of the lump sum amount, including various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services, in-country travel costs etc.).

Candidates should have the ability to quickly submit degree certificates and medical certification (of good health) should they be short-listed in consideration of the consultancy post.

  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials;
  • Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Evaluation of applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – max. 70 points:

  • Only candidates who have received 49 points or higher in the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria:

  • Master’s degree in economics, public health, development studies or any other related area in social sciences field- 10 Points;
  • Should possess at least 5years of proven knowledge and experience in providing similar service to public or private organizations-10 Points;
  • Must be able to conduct the assessment in a consultative manner taking keen care to understand and underscore the role and impact of culture and other social systems factors that may influence the assessment findings- 15 Points;
  • Must have demonstrable and practical experience conducting similar assessments- 15 Points.;
  • Must have experience working with local government teams of diverse background-10 Points;
  • Knowledge of English is required- 5 Points;
  • Knowledge of the Local Languages (Ngakaramojong and Leb-thur) is an asset- 5 points.

Financial Evaluation (30%) – max. 30 points:

  • The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: