Consultant to Develop a Policy Brief on advocacy for inclusive financing for women’s leadership and economic empowerment (Gender Equality Advocacy in Practice – AGECS)

Job Reference Number/Emploi de consultance: : FNT/EOI/31/2024

Job Category/Catégorie d'emploi: Call for Proposals

Job Location/Pays: Uganda

Job Expiry Date/Date d'expiration: 24/07/2024

Duration: 10 Days

1. About FEMNET

The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) is a pan- African, feminist and membership-based network based in Nairobi, Kenya with over 800 individual and institutional members across 50 African countries and in the diaspora. FEMNET envisions a society where African women and girls thrive in dignity and well- being, free from patriarchal and neoliberal oppression and injustices.

Over the years, FEMNET has strategically positioned herself as a convener, organizer and facilitator of critical dialogues around women’s economic justice and rights; transformative women’s leadership; sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); climate justice and natural resource governance as well as, ending all forms of violence and harmful/ discriminatory practices against women and girls.

FEMNET continues to be intentional in influencing decisions made at national, regional and global levels, constantly ensuring African women voices are amplified and their needs, priorities and aspirations are prioritized in key policy dialogues and outcomes that have direct and indirect impact on their lives. FEMNET mobilizes African women to hold their States accountable to women’s rights and gender equality commitments.

For more information about FEMNET’s work, visit our website: www.femnet.org.

2. About Gender Equality Advocacy in Practice.

Socially entrenched norms reinforced through politics, culture, religion, and patriarchal structures, undermine women’s voices and choices. These, coupled with restrictive laws and policies, a prevailing inauspicious political will to implement gender policies, and inadequate allocation of resources to gender-specific priorities for women and girls have resulted in persistent violations, discrimination, and injustices. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) have been at the forefront of advocating for transformative societal norms, influencing policy formulation and reforms, and monitoring the implementation of gender equality policies. Despite these critical roles, CSOs and WROs face institutional and technical capacity challenges that inhibit meaningful and sustainable engagement.

FEMNET in close collaboration with AKF’s AGECS Program is implementing a Gender Equality Advocacy in Practice (GEAP) project to strengthen the policy advocacy capacities of CSOs/WROs that are advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment to effectively advocate for gender transformative policies and practices at national, regional and global policy spaces through co-created gender transformative interventions. Directly, the GEAP project targets GEAP partners and indirectly the policymakers, government officials, women rights organizations, gender activists, religious and cultural leaders as key influencers of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

3. Objectives/ Purpose of Assignment.

Inclusive financing is essential for empowering women economically and promoting gender equality. Despite various government programs and civil society initiatives aimed at supporting women’s economic development, Ugandan women continue to face significant barriers in accessing the necessary financial resources. These barriers include stringent loan requirements, lack of collateral, limited financial literacy, and the predominance of patriarchal norms that restrict women’s economic participation. Inclusive financing is a powerful tool that can help overcome these obstacles, providing women with the financial means to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to economic development

The policy brief will draw on the outcomes of the stakeholders’ dialogue held on March 27, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. This event highlighted the critical need for inclusive financing to advance gender equality. Key stakeholders discussed barriers, shared insights, and proposed actionable recommendations.

To further this agenda, a comprehensive policy brief is necessary to guide policymakers, development partners, and civil society in implementing effective strategies. The comprehensive policy brief will serve as an advocacy tool that CSOs can use to engage policymakers and, development partners, implementing policies, laws and effective strategies for inclusive financing. It will provide evidence-based policy options and practical recommendations to ensure that women in Uganda can access the financial resources they need to lead and thrive economically.

4. Scope of Work and Terms of Reference.

This assignment aims at engaging a consultant to develop a policy brief that highlights the state of women’s economic empowerment in Uganda, with keen interest in the financial inclusion for Women in Leadership.

Specifically, The consultant will:

• Conduct desk reviews on existing relevant literature, including reports, policy documents, and research studies related to women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment at national level and regional level.
• Conduct sample interviews with CSOs and key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, development partners, and women entrepreneurs. working towards the advancement of Women economic empowerment in Uganda.
• Provide a clear analysis of the existing barriers hindering women’s access to financing in Uganda, based on the dialogue
• Provide a well-structured Policy Brief with key recommendations and possible actions to ensure financial inclusion for the Ugandan women.

5. Key Deliverables and Outputs.

A well-researched and concise policy brief on inclusive financing for women’s leadership and economic empowerment.

6. Required Academic Qualification, Technical Skills and Competencies.

• Advanced degree in gender studies, economics, public policy, or a related
• At least 5 years working experience in in policy analysis, development, and advocacy, particularly in gender and economic empowerment
• Experience in the development of human rights policies, procedures and
• Demonstrated expertise   in   financial    inclusion    and women’s           economic
• Strong research, analytical, and writing
• Proven ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders A motivated human rights advocate
• Should demonstrate comprehensive understanding and alignment with Pan African feminist principles as outlined in the African Feminist Charter.

7. Duration of Assignment.

The consultancy will be undertaken over a period of 10 days and the consultant will be expected to start working immediately upon the signing of the contract.

8. Liaison, Coordination and Reporting.

The Consultant will report directly to the Project Coordinator; Transformative Women’s Leadership at FEMNET.

9. Selection of Consultant.

The consultant shall be contracted by FEMNET. The contract will include Withholding Tax (WHT) deduction in line with laws of contracting where FEMNET is headquartered. A WHT certificate will be issued to the consultant. Payment will be done through bank transfer to the consultant bank account. FEMNET will not meet the costs of bank charges. Payment schedule will be agreed upon with the consultant upon successful selection. In case of team/firm applicants, a designated assignment contract manager will be the contact between FEMNET and the team and responsible for all deliverables.

10. Intellectual Property Rights.

The consultant expressly assigns to FEMNET any copyright arising from the outputs produced while executing the service contract. The consultant may not use, reproduce, disseminate, or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate any output produced under the service contract without prior consent from FEMNET.

11. Terms of Service.

This is a non-staff contract and therefore the consultant is not entitled to insurance, medical cover or any other status or conditions as FEMNET staff.

12. Application Process

Interested applicants should send the following:

• A detailed cover letter indicating your daily
• An updated two-pager CV which includes current professional
• A sample of your publication

Applications are by e-mails only, sent to: recruitment@femnet.or.ke. Please indicate the reference on the subject line as ‘FNT/EOI/31/2024 – Consultant, Policy Brief on Inclusive Financing for Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment -Uganda”. The Deadline for submission of applications is on 24th July 2024.

Please note: FEMNET is committed to prevention any type of unwanted behaviour including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, and lack of integrity as well as other ethical breaches. All staff and consultants are expected to share this commitment through our code of conduct and Safeguarding Policy. Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and fraud.

We welcome people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, culture and experience. We will make any practical adjustments to enable people with disability participate fully in an inclusive working environment. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have given consent to the collection, use and/or disclosure of your data by us for the purposes set out in this job description. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and applicants who have been shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

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