Consultant: Gender Responsive Climate Resilient Solutions in Africa

Nov 6, 2018 | World University Service of Canada
View Original

WUSC – World University Service of Canada – is a leading Canadian non-profit organization in international development, committed to providing education, employment and empowerment opportunities that improve the lives of millions of disadvantaged youth around the world. WUSC is working in partnership with the CGIAR Research program on climate change agriculture and food security (CCAFS), African Working Group on Gender and Climate Change (AWGGCC) and Women in Global Science and Technology (WISAT) to implement a project on Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA).

One of the aims of ICCASA is provide evidence on gender and climate change in Africa through documenting of best practices in gender responsive climate solutions in Africa and/or good practices that can close the gender gap in climate change adaptation. There is evidence of women’s disadvantages in access to resources, participation in Africa’s economies low representation in decision making processes. This has created a huge gender gap, leading to great gender inequalities. Various stakeholders including policy-makers and development agents are beginning to recognize that closing the gender gap will bring substantial benefits, reduce gender inequalities in Africa.

Scope of Consultancy

Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to the effects of climate change. The changing climate will negatively affect food production and security, with farmers expected to lose about US$28 per hectare per year for each 1°C rise in global temperature. This will lead to higher food prices and increased conflicts and security threats. Droughts will cause scarcity of water resources and severe floods will lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases, modifying the transmission of diseases (such as cholera, malaria and meningitis) and destruction of infrastructure (roads, bridges and buildings). Dependence on hydro electricity generation for energy will equally be affected as amounts of waters flowing into rivers will dwindle, potentially leading 41 % decline in hydro power production and high costs to industrial production. Africa’s social and cultural setting worsens the situations, especially for women and children. Due to their predominance in agriculture in the continent, as well as their high levels of dependence on the natural environment for household production and livelihoods, women are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Climate change has the potential to drastically affect the lives of women and children and thus threatens progress towards sustainable development. The vulnerability of Africa’s women and youth to impacts of climate change needs to be understood so that solutions meet their specific needs and opportunities. Designing climate resilient interventions with women and youth, and scaling up these interventions to wider audience will be the heart of sustainable development in Africa. For example, providing weather and agro-advisory services to women and youth farmers on appropriate technological innovations, improving education and healthcare choices, improved access to clean fuels, storage facilities and resource management strategies will be key to stemming the impact of climate change on women and youth.

ICCASA is developing studies in 10 countries in Africa on the status of women and youth in relation to climate change effects, adaptation and mitigation. This consultancy is for 10 country studies representing Africa’s five regions (Eastern, Western, Central Northern Southern) and the Small Islands States (SIDs).

The aim of this consultancy is to: assess the current situation for women and men in the country in relation to the impacts of climate change, identify gaps and opportunities in the country to promote gender equality, and research and identify case studies and best practice for gender equality, climate resilience and sustainable development. The case studies should identify key steps to ensure that gender equality and the rights of vulnerable people especially women and youth, are central to climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.

The consultant will prepare a national report analyzing the gender situation in relation to climate change in the country, in the following sectors: agriculture, energy, water, manufacturing, financial services, transport and communication. The report will analyze available quantitative and qualitative data on women’s participation and activities in these sectors, including case studies and examples. It will also include examples of gender responsive climate action in the country for achieving gender equality and sustainable development in the context of climate change as models for moving forward.

National studies will include the following:

• Demonstrates the gender and climate change nexus in different climate-related sectors in the country
• Includes data analysis and case studies from agriculture, energy, water, manufacturing, financial services, transport and communication and value chains in these economic sectors.

The case studies, (technical, institutional and policy) will address:

• Multiple benefits e.g., increasing adaptive capacity, income, health, improved livelihoods, building resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Equal access to benefits for everyone, especially women and youth
• Empowerment of women and youth, through increased participation and decision making, reduced workloads and better access to resources
• Gender responsive impact results that can be scaled up to other countries and/or regions in Africa

Minimum Requirements

• The Consultant should possess a Master’s Degree in social sciences, International Development and Gender Studies
• The Consultant must have expertise in social research as well as strong analytical background.
• The consultant must be well grounded in gender issues across Africa as well as show a good understanding of Africa’s climate change landscape.
• The consultant should possess good research, writing and documentation skills.