Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Sudan
Grade: Consultancy – National Consultant – Locally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Closing Date: 2024-04-24
Background
Sudan remains the largest displacement crisis in the world, with over 11 million people displaced by the conflicts inside and outside of the country, including 9.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Armed clashes over the past ten months caused the displacement of 6,397,698 people, in addition to the three million already displaced before 15 April 2023. As of 20 February, 1,899,826 people had also crossed into neighbouring countries, with the majority in Chad (37%), South Sudan (30%) and Egypt (25%). Severe shortages of basic goods, including food, water, medicines, and fuel, have intensified nationwide due to disrupted trade routes and limited access, prices have dramatically increased, making it unaffordable for many people to meet their basic needs. The health sector is in a state of collapse due to recurrent attacks, looting, and the occupation of medical facilities and hospitals. Sudan is currently facing widespread outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles; Sudan faces a surge in cholera cases, with 10,783 suspected cases across 11 states, including 144 confirmed cases and five fatalities. The conflict has exacerbated acute hunger and malnutrition, which will have a lasting generational impact on the health of the population. Moreover, the ongoing harvests in Sudan are anticipated to fall significantly below average in localized areas of greater Darfur and greater Kordofan, with severe reductions in West Darfur and Central Darfur states.
Working on livelihood measures in Sudan directly responds to the humanitarian and economic crisis gripping the country at present by making women and those they care for less dependent on aid and able to generate their revenue. This will also promote their position as decision-makers in their IDP or host communities. Recurring armed conflict, along with sexual and domestic violence, the sickness or death of family members, or loss of employment, can quickly collapse women’s income generation activities and severely deplete their assets. Women often have no safety net; they usually flee with few resources and little preparation and, at times, become separated from or lose family members. A lack of access to economic opportunity while displaced, forces many women and girls to resort to harmful measures to survive, putting themselves at risk of rape, violence, and abuse through the collection of firewood in unsafe areas, or trading sex for food to compensate for the humanitarian aid provided.
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 humanitarian action, development, and peace and security. UN Women has strong experience in promoting women livelihoods but in this conflict and humanitarian context will work with partners that understand the particularities of working in this area with the current constraints and challenges. It is against this backdrop that the UN Women invites the expert services of consultant with expertise in cooperative development.
What is a Cooperative?
This assignment shall apply the following definition of a cooperative: “A cooperative is defined by the International Co-operative Alliance and the International Labour Organization as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically- controlled enterprise.”Cooperatives enter into agreements or raise capital on terms that ensure democratic control of their members. Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives, and inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Scope of the assignment
Under the supervision of the Gender in Humanitarian Action, Specialist, and in close collaboration with leads of women economic empowerment, women peace, and security thematic areas, the consultant will conduct a scooping exercise of cooperatives, including other member-based organizations engaged in various livelihoods activities for resilience building. S/he will explore the role and performance of such cooperatives/women membership groups (informal and formal) in Al Jazeera State. The scooping exercise will also analyse the potential of informally formed groups of small businesses belonging/operated by women IDPs, and vulnerable women in host communities to coalesce into cooperatives.
Duties and Responsibilities
The overall objective of the consultancy is to undertake mapping of the cooperatives/informal and formal women groups; and build the capacity of the formal and informal women groups to function as cooperative organisations. The consultant will also provide support for creating a conducive regulatory environment for the cooperatives to function:
Identification of member-based organizations engaged in various livelihoods activities for resilience building; and explore the role and performance of such cooperatives/women membership groups (informal and formal) in Al Jazeera States.
Analyse the potential of informally formed groups of small businesses belonging/operated by women IDPs, and vulnerable women in host communities to coalesce into cooperatives.
Undertake analysis of relevant social and solidarity economy organizations (e.g. cooperatives, social enterprises) involved in the provision of livelihood opportunities to displaced populations.
Undertake analysis of the relevance of the cooperatives and other similar organizations (as referred above) to the needs of their members, especially on how they contribute directly to their livelihoods.
Identify major challenges that are specific to cooperatives, women’s economic groups, and other similar member-based organizations.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the cooperatives, groups, and other similar organizations in terms of leadership, membership, infrastructure, participation in the markets, and their economic viability;
Assess whether cooperatives have access to financial services or provide financial services in the target areas;
Identify and analyse skills gaps and specific training needs for cooperatives, groups, other similar organizations, and their support organizations;
Assess the involvement of women IDPs within existing cooperatives or their own formed cooperatives following their displacement. Analyse whether women IDPs are allowed to join or establish a cooperative.
Make recommendations as follows:
The most quick and fast implementable cooperative model for women to establish considering the current context in Sudan.
Different ways women can build resilience through livelihoods under the auspices of cooperative groups.
Provide training to women on how to run a cooperative, including setting up governance structures, leadership, and management.
Deliverables
Scooping report covering existing cooperatives, including membership groups (formal and informal), women groups, etc.
Report on the formation of women’s cooperative groups
Training reports for cooperative members in the Al Jazeera State.
Payment schedule
The consultant will be paid a daily professional fee to be agreed upon by both parties; and will be paid as follows:
A first payment of 10% following the submission, to the satisfaction of the UN Women, of the inception report, within a week after signing the contract.
A second payment of 40% following the submission, to the satisfaction of the UN Women, of the draft report-
A third (and last) payment of 50%, following the submission of the final report, to the satisfaction of the UN Women.
Competencies
Core Values:
Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism
Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Leading by Example
Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:
Research and analytical skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Excellent management of the data collection process, including overseeing data entry and ensuring the accuracy of collected in.
Required Skills and Experience
Qualifications
Required qualifications include:
A Bachelors degree in social sciences or other relevant subjects
Knowledge and awareness of the cooperative structure, legal framework, and operations in Kenya
Knowledge and experience in working in Al Jazeera State.
Specific knowledge of participatory research methods.
Good analytical skills, as well as the ability to elaborate high-quality research documents.
Language skills: fluency in English, and Arabic. Additionally, knowledge of the local languages of the target regions will be an added advantage.
Familiarity with KoboToolsbox for data collection is an added advantage.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and Arabic are required.
Please note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from .
UNWOMEN 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.
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)