Gender Analysis and Gender Capacity Building for the project “Green Aregak: Social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities through green agriculture” Emili Aregak Center in Gyumri, Armenia

 

1. Background

“Green Aregak: Social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities through green agriculture” is implemented by Caritas Aregak Foundation between 01.12.2022 and 31.08.2025 and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Caritas Austria. Set at Emili Aregak Center (EAC) in Gyumri, a holistic and innovative developmental center for people with disabilities (PWD), the project aims to contribute to the socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance of people with disabilities and their families in the larger Gyumri area of Armenia through inclusive and equitable green agriculture initiatives.

Specifically, the project aims to 1) improve the livelihoods and self-reliance of young women and men with disabilities, their families and vulnerable youth, with a particular focus on women, and 2) to increase awareness about the social and economic inclusion of PWD and green agriculture in the larger Gyumri area. The main activities include, among others, theoretical and practical training in green agriculture, job coaching, awareness-raising and mentorship for improving PWD’s access to the agriculture-related labor market, gender training for staff, developing a green agricultural development concept for EAC, constructing a disability-friendly passive solar greenhouse as well as outreach activities to promote green agriculture and the socio-economic inclusion of PWD.

Unemployment is high among youth in Armenia and has been further exacerbated by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn. The effects of the devastating earthquake in 1988 are still felt in the economic situation in the Gyumri area, which belongs to the poorest regions of Armenia. Overall, PWD, who constitute at least 6% of the Armenian population, remain largely excluded from participation in society and the labor market due to a multitude of barriers, inaccessibility, stigma and stereotypes. Because of economic and social discrimination, there are significantly fewer opportunities for PWD to work, and they are particularly affected by poverty. Agriculture, one of the core sectors of the Armenian economy, is a great field for PWD, and there is great potential for green and climate-smart agriculture in Armenia.

As part of the Green Aregak project, Caritas Aregak Foundation is seeking to engage an experienced consultant to:

1) conduct a Gender Analysis to fully understand the gender differences (needs, interests, capacities, roles, relations, risks, vulnerabilities) of women and men, girls and boys in the project context, with a particular focus on the intersection between gender and disability;

2) provide Gender Capacity Building for project staff.

 

2. Objective and Scope

The purpose of the Gender Analysis is to inform future project implementation. The aim is to assess all planned project results and activities, identify if there is a need for adaptation to ensure that the planned intervention is gender responsive and improves gender equality and women’s empowerment, and provide practical recommendations or steering measures where necessary to maximize project impact.

As the main target group of the project is people with disabilities, the gender analysis should be set at the intersection between gender and disability and conducted through the lens of inclusion. All information must be disaggregated by sex and disability wherever possible; other criteria such as age groups need to be included as well, where available.

In particular, the Gender Analysis should consider:

• What are the Gender commitments made by the government in the context of international processes with regard to gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) and inclusion and to what extent this is reflected in national and relevant sector policies (e.g., employment and self-employment, technical and vocational education and training)?
• How do current policies, laws and regulations in relevant sectors (e.g., employment and self-employment, technical and vocational education and training, agriculture) impact differently on women and men? Do skills development policies include measures to extend training opportunities to diverse groups (for example, young women from rural areas, women with disabilities, female heads of household, etc.)?
• A mapping of actors with mandate and capacity to act for gender equality and inclusion (NGOs, women groups, organisations of PwD, International Organizations, line ministries, gender equality/disability ombudspersons, etc.);
• What are the barriers, differences and inequalities in social participation, access to employment/self-employment and income-generating opportunities as well as technical and vocational education and training for women and men, and especially for women and men with disabilities? How can participation and access be improved?
• What are specific gender and inclusion risks and opportunities of the project and which mitigating actions could be proposed? What are specific risks regarding the agriculture-related labour market?
• How can the equal participation and benefit for women and men be ensured in the project? What measures can be taken to address gaps or inequalities and what innovative interventions could be proposed?

 

The Gender Capacity Building component has two objectives. First, to increase the general sensitivity, understanding and knowledge of approximately 60 staff about gender (in)equality and gender-related issues, including explanation and clarification of terms and definitions, national and international policies and commitments, minimum standards on gender equality, cultural bias and gender stereotyping, as well as other relevant gender-related issues. Second, to increase capacity of project management staff for gender mainstreaming throughout project cycle management, from initiation, planning and budgeting to implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

 

3. Methodology

The methodology is to be developed and specified by the consultant. A mixed methodology

of qualitative and quantitative methods, relying on secondary (desk research and literature review) as well as primary data (e.g., stakeholder consultations, surveys, structured or semi-structured interviews, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions) is expected.

The Gender Capacity Building component should be conducted in an interactive and participatory manner.

 

 

 

4. Deliverables

In close coordination with the Caritas Aregak Foundation project manager, the gender consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Gender Analysis:

• Inception report detailing proposed approach, methodology and overview of secondary data review;
• Design, develop and finalize data collection tools;
• Final report detailing analysed findings, including a summary and recommendations;
• Recommended updates to the project documents (e.g., adapted activities or indicators);
• Updated project documents (or workplan) including new activities, indicators, etc.;
• Workshop with project staff and key stakeholders to present key findings and recommendations and to develop a gender work/action plan.

Gender Capacity Building:

• Develop workshop methodology for gender awareness-raising and gender mainstreaming in project cycle management training;
• Relevant trainings and workshops tailored to the needs of the participants.

 

5. Workplan and Timeline

A total of 25 – 30 working days over three months are currently estimated for this assignment, starting February 2023. The desk research is part of the assignment and will be home-based but travel to Gyumri is expected for primary data collection, trainings and workshops.

 

Timeline	Deliverables
Within two weeks of starting the assignment	Inception report detailing proposed approach, methodology and overview of secondary data review
End of March 2023	Draft gender analysis
End of April 2023	Final consolidated report and workshop
April / May 2023	Trainings and workshops on gender awareness-raising and gender mainstreaming through project cycle management with staff

 

6. Required Profile of Consultant

• Advanced university degree in gender studies, social sciences, or any other area relevant to the requirements of the ToR;
• Extensive knowledge of gender equality, gender and social inclusion analysis and gender and social inclusion mainstreaming;
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience and expertise in gender, women’s rights and social inclusion of people with disabilities;
• Demonstrated ability to perform qualitative and quantitative research and analysis;
• Demonstrated ability to provide programme advice;
• Demonstrated experience in project cycle management;
• Demonstrated experience in providing training and facilitating workshops using participatory approaches;
• Excellent communication, report writing and analytical skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required

 

6. Application Procedure

Caritas Aegak Foundation invites interested and qualified candidates to submit their proposal demonstrating their ability to deliver on this assignment with the subject Gender Consultancy to caritasaregak@gmail.com. The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• Technical proposal, including a brief description of the understanding of the assignment, suggested analysis design, approach, workplan and timeline
• Financial proposal, including fees and other costs
• CV

 

The deadline for submission of proposals is 29^th of January 2023, 12:00.