CALL OUT FOR A FEMALE RESEARCH CONSULTANT.

CALL OUT FOR A DESK RESEARCH ON THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON THE SOCIO-CULTURAL AND GENERAL LIVELIHOOD OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN IMO STATE. 

INTRODUCTION: Alliances for Africa (AfA) a non-profit, feminist led, human rights, peace and sustainable development organization located in Owerri Imo State is seeking the services of an expert to conduct a desk research assessment on the impact of Covid-19 in Imo State of Nigeria particularly as it affected the socio-cultural and general livelihood of women in the state with a view to proffering solution, precautionary and preventive measures to the pandemic aimed at deriving research evidence.  

RESEARCH TITLE: State-wide assessment and desk research on the Impacts of Covid-19 on Socio-economic and General Livelihood of Women and Girls in Imo State, Nigeria.

SCOPE: The desk research shall cover the 27 LGA in Imo State. It shall be conducted on some randomly selected LGAs and communities as samples.

BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE: 2020/2021 was a difficult year for women and girls all over the continent including Imo State communities as well. The pandemic and its associated lockdowns had multiplier effect on the livelihood of women across the zones, especially those living in rural and urban poor communities.

The impact of the sudden lock downs and lack of daily income earnings has been borne by women and girls who are already held back by gender and economic inequalities. As well as deeply engrained social norms where women have always struggled with their freedom of expression and ability to make personal individual choices.

The socio-economic impact of COVID19 pandemic deepened inequalities and encouraged the persistent violations of the rights of women and girls. Whilst further exposing the acutely disadvantageous conditions that make women and girls more vulnerable and unable to withstand the effects of the pandemic.

In Imo State, women form the larger number of informal market traders, artisans such as hairdressers, beauticians, waitresses in hotels, restaurants and bars, subsistence farming, etc, thus the impact of lockdowns, social distancing measures and other restrictions portrayed a severe negative impact on women livelihoods.

There is the need therefore to look into what was in place before the pandemic surge and the lives during and after it as an evidence and documentation purposes in order to have informed decisions for accurate program plan.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the general impact level of Covid-19 in all human ramification inclusive of its environment within Imo State.
2. To determine the effects of the pandemic on the socio-cultural livelihood of women and girls in the state.
3. To assess the detrimental and consequential setbacks of the Covid-19 on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in Imo State.
4. To highlight learnings, sustainable and resuscitating plans by government institutions.
5. To ascertain levels of precautionary and adverse preventive measures put in place by concerned constitutional authorities for future pandemic escalations.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT: The purpose of the assessment is to document learnings, and hopefully serve as a utility for the organization, to learn lessons, to inform future plans and precautions.

DURATION: 21 Working days

ASSESSMENT ETHICS: The evaluation must be carried out in accordance with the principles outlined (with impartiality and independence, transparency, etc.). The assessor must have a plan in place to:

• Protect the rights of authors/respondents, including privacy and confidentiality especially those of women and girls;
• Elaborate on how informed consent will be obtained and to ensure that the names of individuals consulted during data collection will not be made public;
• If the assessment involves children (under 18 years old) the consultant must consider additional risks and need for parental consent;
• The consultant must be trained in collecting sensitive information/data.
• Data collection tools must be designed in a way that is culturally appropriate and does not create distress for respondents;
• The interviewer or data collector must be able to provide information on how individuals in situations of risk can seek support (referrals to organizations that can provided counselling support, for example).

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Key requirements for consultant and the selection / recruitment process:

  Covid-19 assessor must be conducted by external consultant.

  External consultant can be local consultant(s) and/or international consultant(s) or a firm.

  Consultant must be independent from any organizations that have been involved in designing, executing, managing or advising any aspect of UNTF programs that is the subject of the assessment and any other UN Trust Fund-funded projects.

  M&E officer(s) and/or other staff members within the grantee organization or implementing partners can NOT be the consultant for this assessment.

  The core members of the team / lead evaluator must be experienced evaluators.

  The evaluation team should be selected taking into account the required competencies, diversity of perspectives and accessibility to the local population if need be.

  Data collection visits (if need be), should be organized at the appropriate time and place to minimize risk to respondents;

  The interviewer or data collector must be able to provide information on how individuals in situations of risk can seek support (referrals to organizations that can provide counselling support, for example).

QUALIFICATION AND ELIGIBILITY: The expert will be required to have;

• A minimum of Master’s Degree in faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Minimum of three years working experience in a similar field.
• Proven practical experience using previous works of analysis.

CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSESSOR: Under the direct supervision of the M&E officer and the Programs Manager, the consultant will be required to;

• Develop simplified tools to measure impacts in line with outcomes of the pandemic, experiences of the organization as well as partners and perhaps victims/survivors.
• Support in the drafting of the assessment reports and final assessment report.
• Be available to attend meetings; virtual and in-person during the planning and concluding processes of the assessment.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• A cover letter stating why you are suitable for the consultancy position linking your experiences to our objective needs – not more than two pages.
• Updated curriculum vitae highlighting qualifications and experience in similar projects of not more than two pages.
• Work references – contact details (e-mail addresses) of referees (organizations for whom you have produced similar assignments).
• Kindly submit your cover letter, CV and other relevant documents in one/single PDF file.
• All Submissions should be made via the e-mail; afa@alliancesforafrica.org and copied to blessing@alliancesforafrica.org

Submissions must be received not later than 27^th May, 2023. (Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply for this advertised position).