International Gender Expert at SNV

Terms of Reference (ToR)

International Gender Expert

(Consultancy contract)

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 39 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

Background

The majority of the world’s poorest people are women and girls. It is estimated that women account for two-thirds of the 1.4 billion people currently living in extreme poverty and make up 60 percent of the 572 million working poor in the world. Women’s poverty is largely caused by gender inequality. The unequal distribution of income and control over resources (including property, assets, and financial capital); women’s lack of decision-making power; the unequal distribution of household tasks; the unpaid caretaker role assigned to women and girls; gender-based violence; and the constraints imposed on women’s socio-economic mobility due to legal, cultural, and labour market barriers all act as contributory factors which cause and compound women’s poverty. 

Due to the traditional gender roles assigned in households and the unequal distribution of household tasks, women in developing countries spend up to 25 percent of their time carrying firewood and other fuel over long distances. Women need energy for their household chores, such as cooking, lighting, and heating, and for rural industry uses, such as milling and food processing. However, they cannot prioritise their energy needs when it comes to investment because of financial subordination, a result of gendered control of incomes. In addition, where water sources are not readily accessible, women and girls often bear the burden of collection and must walk long distances to satisfy household needs. Despite the domestic burden posed by inaccessibility of these key services, women and girls in particular face severe and detrimental problems of personal safety, hygiene, privacy, and health in relation to sanitation services.  

In most developing countries half of the farmers are women, producing and selling nearly 80% of food. On average, however, women’s crop yields are lower than men’s (WB, 2014). This is just one indicator of the pervasive gender gap that exists in access to productive resources like land and capital, and to markets for inputs, outputs and services. The heavy domestic burden that women have to shoulder also has immense bearing on time investment in their agricultural activities. This gap limits agricultural development by restricting women’s productive capacity and market share and weakening their market positions. 

Therefore, SNV is in the process of reviewing its products and services in the practice of gender so as to respond to the emerging challenges within sectors. SNV aims to consolidate its practice, knowledge and experience to develop models that are proven, that can be replicated to deliver beneficial results for women and girls. SNV also has the ambition to contribute to global debates on gender, share knowledge and experiences from its practice. Subsequently, SNV has chosen to pursue a multi sectorial approach to gender theme.

Objective of the assignment

• Develop a strategy for gender in SNV’s sectors of Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH), Agriculture and Renewable Energy (RE)
• Identify practical models for gender mainstreaming, test and validate them with key partners
• Consolidate the programme framework for gender and ensure it becomes practice within SNV
• Facilitate knowledge exchange internally and externally
• Develop and present publications on behalf of SNV in different fora
• Lead on business development and assure acquisition funding for large projects under this profile

Deliverables

• A strategy that reflects the current thinking on gender issues
• Practical models that can be implemented and replicated
• Acquisition of funding for projects on gender
• SNV profiled at high level international events

Duration

The consultancy is expected to last for 180 person days with possibility of an extension

Consultant’s Profile and Functioning

SNV seeks to recruit an international expert on gender issues as a resource person.  The Consultant will be supervised by the SNV’s Global Coordinator – Gender and Youth.

The Consultant should demonstrate

1. Credible international track record and expertise in gender within the three sectors SNV works in
2. Proven experience in business case development and project proposal development
3. Excellent communication (writing and oral) skills, presentation with experience in profiling an organisation in an international setting

Languages: Proficiency in English and a working knowledge of French is an added advantage

Contract Type: International short term consultancy

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation to our in house system via the linkhttps://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/330977 by 31 March, 2015.

 For more information on SNV, please refer to our website:www.snvworld.org

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement

Closing date: 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Type of contract: 

Consultancy