CONSULTANT: WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DRAFT CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN

UNDP Africa’s strategic vision places development for pro-poor growth and accountability at the centre of all UNDP-supported activities in the region, given the fact that lack of capacity in these areas remains one of the key challenges faced by Africa today in its efforts to achieve the MDGs. To achieve this goal UNDP has set itself the tasks of: i) strengthening its strategic thinking and advocacy functions in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and with Africa’s development agenda; ii) creating in-house capacity to translate corporate support goals into capacity development results; and iii) providing support to UN reform and strengthening its partnerships with both UN and external development partners. The order to achieve these objectives, UNDP works through its Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) to strengthen capacities of African countries, and regional and sub-regional institutions. This support is guided by the Third Regional Cooperation Framework (RCFIII) which targets four broad based areas: i) poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs; ii) consolidating democratic and participatory governance; iii) conflict prevention, peace building and recovery; and iv) energy, environment and sustainable development. RCF III outcomes will be achieved through various regional programmes development and implemented by RBA. The regional project entitled, “Building African Capacity to Gain Maximum Benefit from Inclusive Globalization and Regional Integration” is in line with the first focus area mentioned above. The specific objectives of the project are to strengthen the capacity of African countries for increased participation in global trade and linking trade policies to poverty reduction, and having trade negotiations outcomes that reflect common African position. The project is an important component of a strategy aimed at making globalization work better for Africa, and congruent with the African Union’s vision of regional integration, high levels of growth and poverty reduction. Under the project, institutional capacity will be strengthened in the area of research on trade issues and analytic work to inform trade policy formulation, enhanced statistical databases, and creation of regional network of trade negotiations outcomes that reflect common African position. The project is an important component of a strategy aimed at making globalization work better for Africa, and congruent with the African Union’s vision of regional integration, high levels of growth and poverty reduction. Under the project, institutional capacity will be strengthened in the area of research on trade issues and analytic work to inform trade policy formulation, enhanced statistical databases, and creation of regional network of trade negotiators. One of the three main activities of the project is supporting the engendering of policies for increased participation of women in formal trade. For this purpose, one of the activity results has been determined as conducting an assessment for women entrepreneurs needs and formulating a capacity development plan for regional policy for enhancing the role (both quality and quantity) of women in trade. This entails the organization of two regional workshops for women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences. The first workshop held in September 2010 was mainly consultative in approach with the overall outcome being better participation and contribution of women in all forms of international trade (both formal and informal). The specific outcomes of the workshop was threefold: 1) Conducting a needs assessment: A needs assessment and consultations with women entrepreneurs from all five RECs that the Regional Trade Project covers were conducted; 2) Based on the outcomes of the needs assessment, a draft report captured concrete recommendations by women entrepreneurs on how key areas in which they required capacity development; 3) Providing a platform for exchange of experiences: The workshop was a platform for women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences in their respective sectors. This is a very challenging exercise. Some of the reasons are as follows: Geography- the physical distances between the countries are vast and the participants speak different languages. Time constraints – the consultation process, the ability to reach agreement and ensure that the CDP is contextualised is a time-consuming process. Participants and future beneficiaries of the program will have varying levels of knowledge, different background and different levels/types of skills (or lack thereof) that need to be catered for. Cultural differences – different values, norms, beliefs, attitudes of beneficiaries from different regions. Political Stability, post-conflict countries and the ability or Political Will to implement the CPD Plan. The role of intermediaries, and service providers in facilitating and ensuring the CDP is implemented. Key partners in finalizing and accepting the CDP is critical to the success of this project and their buy-in is a pre-requisite. Junior level assistance of a more substantive nature rather is required to complete this exercise. OBJECTIVE: The overall purpose of this initiative is to Draft a Capacity Development (CD) and Implementation Plan: Based on the outcomes of the needs assessment and recommendations in the workshop report (September 15, 2010), a draft capacity development plan will be produced. This output of the project intends to support engendering of policies for increased participation of women in formal trade. More specifically, the objective of this assignment is to systematically compile a Capacity Development and implementation in the five (5) critical sectors identified by women entrepreneurs: 1. Access to finance and productive resources 2. Access to international markets 3. Reducing the cost of doing business 4. Organization and advocacy skills with Government and other organizations like the United Nations 5. Issues related to Entrepreneurship Consequently, this initiative aims at mainstreaming gender into trade policy and programs and is congruent with the African Union’s vision of regional integration, high levels of growth and poverty reduction, with a specific focus on developing the capacity of women entrepreneurs/traders, decision-makers, and beneficiaries. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY: In order to achieve the above mentioned objective(s) a lead consultant has been recruited. Working closely with RBA’s Regional Trade Programme and the lead consultant (Trade Policy Team), the junior consultant will provide substantive support towards the realization of the Capacity Development Plan for women entrepreneurs in Africa. The lead consultant, will be the coordinator of the project, and together with the Trade Policy Team and the junior consultant, will help identify and appoint (through the drafting of the concept notes) 6 subject matter specialists to draft the capacity development and implementation plan. The CDP will consist of five chapters based on the themes/sectors identified in the workshop report. Each consultant will be specifically recruited for his/her subject matter expertise in the related field. The sixth consultant will be an expert in capacity development. It is proposed that the issues will be grouped in up to five substantive groups. The drafters/writers will familiarize themselves and rely mostly on the concepts of UNDP’s Default Methodology for Capacity Development (http://www.undp.org/capacity/resources.shtml), which will provide the entry points, core issues, and functional and technical capacities. The consultant(s) will produce the draft chapters for CD plan in close collaboration with UNDP and other collaborating agencies and entities. Each consultant will have his/her own terms of reference but must be able to work as part of a team and report back to the Trade Project when required to do so. Following the discussions, recommendations, and changes, the writers will consolidate their chapters and submit the final version of the document that is acceptable to the Trade Project Leader/Manager. Immediate activities: Immediate actions towards the draft CDP are the recruitment of the (approximately 6) consultants; drafting of the concept notes and the TOR’s and convening a strategy workshop with them as early as possible to ensure the writers can commence their work. Subsequent activities: The consultant(s) will compile the various chapters of the Capacity Development Plan; the coordinator will integrate and consolidate the document; Project team will review and finally there will be peer reviews; the coordinator is to synthesise the penultimate draft of the CD plan. The CD Plan will be presented and discussed in a more formal and technical level workshop for validation purposes. Once completed, different components of the CD plan will be implemented in different fora. This latter process does not form part of the terms of reference for this assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Trade Project Manager and the Lead Consultant, the incumbent will assist in and complete: The formulation of the governments’ involvement and a roadmap for the implementation strategies in the above-mentioned five areas; Under the supervision (and the above mentioned supervisors) of the five chapter writers, drafting the implementation strategy (which is a part of the chapter(s) in questions in a detailed and accessible way; Assisting the lead consultant and the RBA Trade Project Team in organizing and co-facilitating the initiation (only for the chapter writers and the team) technical meeting including concepts, agenda, and logistics; Assisting with the validation meeting after the drafting of the chapters; Co-presentation of the chapters (especially implementation strategy sections); Contributing to the finalization of the chapters through his or her assistance with the incorporation of the comments and recommendations coming from the validation meeting especially coming from relevant government, AUC, and Regional Economic Communities representatives.

Competencies

In general the competencies include the following: Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, communication, networking, influencing and facilitation skills and good knowledge in capacity development (methodologies, application etc.), economics, gender, international trade and development concepts and current events are important; fluency in English (both written and spoken) is essential; More specific competencies include the following: Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values (especially the approach that UNDP takes towards, gender, trade and human development); Practices adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies: Excellent knowledge and expertise of needs assessment and capacity development concepts. Particularly, knowledge in UNDP’s Default Methodology in Capacity Development is strongly desired; Previous interaction with and excellent knowledge of the African country governments and UNDP Country Offices, especially in the area of policy implementation is essential; Good knowledge, understanding, and some experience of international trade, entrepreneurship especially from the perspective of economics of gender (being able to look at the relevant issues from a strong gender lens); Excellent facilitation, training, and analytical skills are required. Good skills for reporting and extracting necessary and relevant information are a must.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, law, business administration, and/or other development related field. Experience: Two years of experience in the development field, especially in the areas of economic policies; capacity development and gender, entrepreneurship (especially SMEs), and trade areas; Ability to use computers and office software packages and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French desirable. Qualified women are encouraged to apply for the position.

CONSULTANT: WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DRAFT CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN