Consultant – Productive Assets at UN Women

Scope of the work:

It is expected that the Consultant will conduct research in order to produce the holistic conceptual framework that expands the conceptualization of hard and soft productive assets. This conceptual framework is expected to establish a benchmark that is built on existing and relevant bodies of work that are informed by global and regional experiences on strategies that bring about change and positive impacts for women’s access to productive assets. Based on the developed conceptual framework, the Consultant will be expected to generate a set of recommendations that can be translated in policy reforms that amongst other contributions, have the potential to lead to meaningful structural reforms of African economies. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities will include:

• Establish and confirm research methodology, approach, structure of the final deliverables (i.e. conceptual framework and recommendations) and work-plan.
• Research and analysis of existing approaches, practices, and gaps in (private and public sector) interventions and mechanisms aimed at expanding access to productive assets.
• Conduct analysis of impacts of approaches across the typology of women, with emphasis on SMEs and marginalized women.
• Generate briefs and/ or updates on emerging findings, as required.
• Organize and facilitate required validation workshop/s and/ or consultations as required for the conceptual framework and policy recommendations.
• Provide curated tecToRs-Africa Financial Inclusion Assessment-Final-v1.docx. Technical inputs/expertise as requied, for the inclusion of recommendations in key processes (i.e., at national, regional and continental levels.
• Provide guidance/input on the development of strategic partnerships, resource mobilization and advocacy efforts to popularize the holistic conceptual framing (of productive assets) and the policy recommendations of the report.

Key Deliverables:

Deliverables

Deliverable timeframe

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: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

• Proven experience in working with systems thinking and tools;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
• Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner and delivery quality results;
• Excellent training and writing skills;
• Ability to work in a pressurized environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, development economics/ development finance, policy or another relevant field;

Experience:

• At least 7 years experience in the application of social science research methodologies and approaches, specifically within the domain of women, gender, and the economy;
• Demonstrated capability to conduct cross country research, within the ambits of women and the economy and/ or entrepreneurship;
• Familiarity with actors (government, private sector and women’s networks) specifically within the women’s economic empowerment context;
• Familiarity with the women’s economic empowerment and productive assets landscape, in terms of conceptual frameworks, policy approaches and strategies and practices being applied (by government and the private sector);
• In-depth knowledge of gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on SME context.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.