UNDP: Consultant to support development of a gender policy for the INEC in Nigeria

The Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project is managed by UNDP in support of elections and more broadly, the deepening of democracy in Nigeria. It is funded with contributions from The European Union, the UK Department for International Development (DfID), UNDP, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The project duration is 2010-2015. It aims to consolidate and advance democratic governance and accountability in Nigeria to achieve the country’s stated development priorities and outcomes as specified in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP).

These objectives are pursued through four components:

1. Promoting Credible, Transparent and Sustainable Electoral Processes
2. Improving the Democratic Quality of Political Engagement
3. Enhancing Participation by Women, Youth and other marginalized groups
4. Strengthening Channels of Civic Engagement:

During the first phase of DGD between August 2010 and May 2011, the support was focused on ensuring a free and fair General Election including support to increase the participation of women in the electoral process as candidates and voters. Gender mainstreaming across the other areas of the first phase of support was another strategy adopted.

In the second phase, DGD support will focus on ongoing legal reform to promote affirmative action and women’s empowerment as candidates or voters. The component will seek to use several entry points: supporting political parties to strengthen internal processes geared to advancing the role of women as candidates for public office and as actors within the party structures. Training women to organize and mobilize public support for their election to public office. Supporting those women who get elected to become effective role models and drivers of change to promote affirmative action and women’s empowerment especially in the National Assembly.  As part of gender mainstreaming efforts the project will support the building of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) to integrate gender issues into its planning and implementation processes. INEC has identified the development of an institutional Gender Policy as a priority in this first year of DGD.

UNDP therefore seeks the services of an international and national consultant to work with INEC to develop a Gender Policy. The consultants will be required to spend considerable time in Abuja, Nigeria for part of this assignment. Some elements of the assignment can be home based.

The objective of the consultancy is to support the development of a Gender Policy for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria.

The Consultants are expected to perform the following tasks:

• Prepare an inception report for how they will undertake this assignment for INEC and DGD approval.  The plan should include methodology, tools including the draft UNDP tool to measure the performance of Electoral Management Bodies on gender equality. 
• Undertake a gender audit/mapping including by holding consultations with a wide group of stakeholders in INEC including but not limited to the Chairperson, Commissioners, Directors, the Chief Technical Advisor, Gender Desk staff, INEC department staff covering Voter Education, Election Observation & Monitoring, Operations, Publicity, Human Resources, a selection of INEC state offices and departments (Voter Education, Human Resources etc.)
• Consultations with agencies providing electoral assistance in Nigeria, civil society and other arms of government (as relevant).
• Prepare a draft Gender Policy (based on an agreed upon format with INEC and DGD) and hold consultations on the same with INEC (national and state offices), DGD and members of the reference group set up to provide technical support to the process. This can be done through email, joint or one on one meetings with respondents.
• Prepare final Gender Policy incorporating feedback received.
• Prepare several products to be used by INEC Gender Desk staff to popularize the Policy to other staff at national and state level as well as raise the public’s awareness of its existence. These could include an abbreviated Gender Policy (in simple language for later translation to local languages); a PowerPoint presentation outlining the rationale and contents of the Policy; content for posting on the INEC website.
• Draw up an action plan for implementation of the Gender Policy and convene a working session with the Gender Desk, other key INEC departments, DGD and other stakeholders to finalize it.
• Compile an ‘Introduction to INEC Gender Policy’ basic training package for use in future training of INEC staff.
• Conduct at least 2 training workshops on the Gender Policy for INEC staff.

Deliverables:

• A Gender Policy and action plan for year one.
• Knowledge products  to popularize the Gender Policy to internal and external audiences (exact products will be agreed on with INEC and DGD).
• Introduction to INEC Gender Policy training package.

Expected Results:

The expected output is a Gender Policy document for the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria.

Supervision:

Strategic guidance will be provided by the DGD Project Director, with working level and technical supervision by the DGD Gender Specialist.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Education:

• Degree or certification in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Development studies, Gender studies, Media, communications or related field.

Experience:

• Knowledge and working experience of electoral processes, election administration, promoting gender equality in electoral and governance processes.
• Knowledge of key constraints to women’s participation in electoral processes, factors limiting the accountability of Election Management Bodies and other Public Institutions to gender equality issues.
• Knowledge of the landscape for elections in Nigeria and Africa preferable.
• Previous experience of providing technical assistance to enable institutions including public, private and civil society organizations) to mainstream gender considerations.
• Experience in conducting strategic planning processes, managing organizational change processes.
• Strong writing skills (consultants should submit a sample of Gender mainstreaming Guidelines or similar policy documents previously prepared for institutions).
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Strong facilitation skills – ability to guide discussions with audiences of varying seniority and backgrounds, hold negotiations, training experience etc.
• Ability to travel to and within Nigeria.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English

Payment modality:

Payment will be made based on the following milestones:

• Upon submission and approval of an implementation plan for carrying out the assignment  30%
• Upon submission of a draft Gender Policy 30%
• Upon submission of the final Gender Policy, action plan and various knowledge products, completion of the 2 training workshops 40%