Company Profile

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries.

Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Job Description

Western Region Coastal Foundation (WRCF) - TERMS OF REFERENCE - Gender Strategy

1. Background to the WRCF Programme

In 2007, oil and gas was found in commercial quantities off the coast of Ghana’s Western Region and extraction started in 2010. Production is estimated currently at 126,000 barrels per day and expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Expectations are high among residents of the six coastal districts in the Western Region that they will benefit from the oil, power and gas industry. Livelihoods, social and economic systems are impacted by the new industry. The oil-driven growth in the urban areas has led to rapid increases in cost of living for the urban poor. The high level of in-migration has meant that while specific jobs have increased, original residents are not securing them. The risks of tension and conflict are increasing but little action appears to be taken and there is no effective mechanism to raise concerns and provide some practical solutions. 

In response to this development, UKAid is supporting the setup of the Western Region Coastal Foundation to organize and support effective dialogue between the oil companies, the communities and government agencies, and to make effective use of corporate social investment funds that private sector companies may have for development. At the same, the Foundation will pursue social and economic development activities that provide opportunities for households to increase their economic and social capital through market-oriented interventions in selected value chains.

The Foundation is pursuing these objectives through a two-pronged approach; 1) Improving relationships between the oil, power and gas companies and coastal communities through a Dialogue Platform, and; 2) Channelling CSI funding to priority sectors that demonstrate real potential for providing economic opportunities for residents in target communities in the region. The focus is on supporting the development of alternative livelihoods, increased and better business support services and facilitating relevant education and skills development. Presently the Foundation’s work focuses on 6 coastal districts namely Shama, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ahanta West, Nzema East, Ellembelle and Jomoro.

02.   Purpose of the Assignment

Consistent with the commitment of the WRCF, gender concerns are a cross-cutting theme in the six coastal districts. The purpose of this consultancy is to provide a gender analysis of the activities planned both at the inception and during the implementation phases and point out the steps the project needs to take in order to incorporate gender considerations in its activities. To achieve this, the programme needs to understand and reflect the different needs and roles of women and men in the various fields of intervention.

03.   Scope of the Work Required

The focus of this assignment will be in-depth gender assessment of the activities and work-products of the WRCF. To be in a position to accomplish this task, the consultant will need to do a thorough review of the project background and its aims and activities being implemented and those that will be undertaken in the future. The Consultant would be expected to study the project activities (ongoing and planned) from a gender perspective; conduct a gender analysis of the project components and the fields of intervention; and identify opportunities and constraints for mainstreaming gender both at the activity design phase and the implementation stage. Based on socially or culturally defined gender roles, the consultant would also provide specific recommendations on how to incorporate gender into project activities during implementation. This may include providing recommendations on gender-specific information-gathering and collection of gender-disaggregated data for use in implementation of activities. Wherever possible, the consultant should advise on practical tools that will assist WRCF in integrating gender in all project activities.

Specifically, the following tasks will form part of the process of developing a gender strategy:

Task 1: Methodology for developing the strategy

The consultant will establish a methodology for developing the strategy. The methodology will be approved by the Director of Programmes prior to deployment. The methodology will spell out among other things:

• The consultant’s understanding of the assignment;
• Broad indication of the list of key documents to be reviewed;
• An activity plan, including timelines for key deliverables;
• Proposed outline of the strategy (Table of Contents of the final report)

Task 2: Information gathering and Analysis

The consultant will implement the agreed methodology through the following activities:

• Review of secondary literature
• Collection and analysis of primary data from the target communities
• Analysis of data gathered
• Development of a strategic framework for gender integration into WRCF

Task 3: Write up the Strategy

Based on the outcomes of Task 2 above, the Consultant will develop the strategy, draw out the implications for the WRCF, and particularly programme support to enhance the technical and organisational competencies of key actors. The strategy must include clear recommendations and steps on how to achieve the gender milestones and performance indicators.

Task 4: Submit a report addressing the tasks in this TORs:

The Consultant will submit to the Director of Programmes a report of not more than 25 pages long, excluding annexes, consistent with the Terms of Reference and in accordance with a Table of Contents as shall be agreed at the inception stage. The draft report will be submitted in electronic format for review and comments. The report will be finalised based on the feedback and comments of the WRCF team.

04.   Main Outputs and Deliverables

• A methodology and timelines for implementation of the assignment.
• A draft report consistent with the tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference.
• At the end of the assignment, a validation meeting with staff of the WRCF programme to share preliminary findings and recommendations
• Following review and feedback from programme team, a final comprehensive gender strategy document that outlines steps and modalities of implementation.

The output of the consultant will contribute to the following outcomes:

1. Improved service delivery and management capacity of the WRCF and its stakeholders in matters related to gender. The WRCF will  support its stakeholders and partners, with the intent of strengthening their capacity to sustain the effective management  of gender issues to ensure proactive actions in the programme implementation
2. Improved capacity of communities and civil society organisations and partners in ensuring active participation of women and men according to their roles. 

Required Skills or Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in relevant area (gender studies or social sciences). A Master’s Degree or PhD will be considered an asset;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in mainstreaming gender in development projects;
• Record of participation in at least 2 assignments of similar size and degree of complexity (consultancy services in the area of gender strategy in programmes);
• Sound understanding of gender and development issues in the Western Region;
• Excellent communication, presentation, report writing and analytical skills;
• Mastery of oral and written English