Gender Assessment in COVID 19 Situation: Plan International

Terms of Reference

Gender Assessment in COVID 19 Situation.

1. About Plan International

We strive to advance children’s rights and equality for girls all over the world. As an independent development and humanitarian organisation, we work alongside children, young people, our supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. For over 80 years we have been building powerful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 75 countries.

2. Background

Plan International Zambia, is committed to addressing gender norms, strengthening girls’ and young women’s agency to advance both the condition and position of girls, young women by responding to the needs and interests of girls and young women in their diversity. The current pandemic, COVID 19 poses a threat to our efforts in achieving gender equality.

There is already unsettling amount of information on GBV occurring against the backdrop of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is also becoming increasingly clear that many of the measures deemed necessary to control the spread of the disease (e.g. restriction of movement, reduction in community interaction, closure of businesses and services, etc.) are not only increasing SGBV related risks and violence against women and girls, but also limiting survivors’ ability to distance themselves from their abusers as well as reducing their ability to access external support.

3. Focus of the Assessment

3.1 Purpose of the Evaluation

The incidences of SGBV as a result of COVID-19 lockdown is not known in Zambia as it might be too early to tell. However Girls Not Brides notes that experiences from the Ebola crisis and other acute emergencies strongly suggest that girls and young women disproportionately are affected, especially those coming from poorest and marginalised groups such as those living with disabilities. Un verified information suggest  that Gender norms that limit a girl or young woman to speak over issues that affect them including reporting SGBV happening within household, could put them a higher risk of constant sexual abuse. This could be made worse with high economic dependence of girls and young women on the male figures in their homes

Plan International Zambia is proposing a rapid gender analysis to understand and verify the actual extent of SGBV in girls and young women as a result of COVID 19 lockdown; GBV reporting mechanism at community level, access to SGBV and SRHR services, access to information on prevention of SGBV, coping mechanism in the face of SGBV, and finally frequency of incidences of SGBV in the community.   The assessment intends to provide programme staff and other key stakeholders with information to support women and girls with appropriate interventions.

3.2 Assessment  focus areas

1) In COVID 19 , what  SGBV is happening within household, how is it putting women and girls higher risk of constant

2) Assess the economic dependence of girls and young women on the male figures in their homes during COVID 19 lockdown.

3) Assess the access to sexual reproductive health and right services that may help prevent effects of SGBV such as STIs and unwanted pregnancies etc.

4) Functionality of community structures for reporting SGBV such as community crime prevention committees, toll free numbers, victim support units, and health facilities present in the communities,

5) Extent to which girls and young women access structures and services in the COVID 19 lockdown

6) Extent of economic impact at household level caused by the pandemic and how young women and girls could be subjected to early and forced marriages, transactional sex

7) Are COVID messages responding to condition and positional needs of the girls and young women in the communities (do they bring out issues that affect them girls and young women?

3.3 Child rights, gender and inclusion

In line with Plan International’s values and organisational ambition, the COVID 19 Gender Assessment seeks to prioritise a focus on child rights, gender and inclusion and trying to understand the extent to which gender and inclusion has been affected by COVID 19 while seeking evidence for program interventions that will improve the rights of children and equality for girls.

4.0  Users of the Gender Assessment

Plan and its implementing partners, donors and beneficiaries are key users of the gender assessment report. The report will be shared widely (both internally and externally).Therefore, should be simple to read and demonstrate areas of impact and learning for continuous improvement on COVID 19 interventions with clear recommendation.

Plan International Zambia in collaboration with National Offices  will use the findings of the assessment to fund raise and design projects that will positively impact the lives of girls and young women.

5.0  Methods for Data Collection and Analysis

Due to measures taken to control the pandemic such as; social distance, isolation and quarantine, the assignment requires that the consultant explore digital platforms (online survey, telephone interviews, SMS etc.)  for data collection while using must utilize a mixed method that are  gender sensitive.  Both qualitative and quantitative data/information must be obtained (including Literature review for Secondary data). In order to meet the objectives of the assignment, data will be collected through various methods including, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII), (as deemed necessary by consultant) to gather required information and data.

5.1 Sample

Where primary data collection is undertaken as part of the assessment, the consultant should outline the intended sample strategy that includes a description of:

• Sample size (or expectations of the evaluator(s) in calculating it)
• Necessary respondent disaggregation (refer to Plan International’s Minimum Beneficiary Disaggregation)
• Number and type of locations  ( Consultant to discuss with Plan International )
• Sampling approach for country Gender Rapid Assessment

5.2 Participant selection and recruitment

Stakeholder participation at various level in the assessment process will be critical. The assessment team should ensure the following categories of participants are included

• Adolescents and young adult (10-24) males and females
• Adult Men and Women.
• Key Informant Interview (Zambia Police: Victim support Unit )
• GBV and ChildLine call center, Ministry of Gender,
• Ministry of Health (One Stop Centers),
• Network Ending Child Marriage in Zambia)
• Online questionnaire

6.0 Ethics and Child Protection

The consultant shall comply with Plan International Zambia Safeguarding children, Young People Policy and other required policies. The consultant and all related staff must sign the Safeguarding Policy as part of the contract, commit to adhere to it during the course of the contract period and use relevant consent forms. Where necessary the consultant will be required undergo an ethical clearance.

Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected, in accordance with Ethical MERL Framework and our Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy. All applicants should include details in their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the data collection process. Specifically, the consultant(s) shall explain how appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation of all stakeholders will be ensured and how special attention will be paid to the needs of children and other vulnerable groups. The consultant(s) shall also explain how confidentiality and anonymity of participants will be guaranteed.

7.0 Key Deliverables

Deliverable

Format
Length

Detail
Inception Report

Word Document
max.15 pages

Inception report shall include

• an updated timeline;
• detailed methodology, including draft sampling methodology and size;
• draft data collection tools;
• ethical considerations;
• consent forms for any primary data collection;
• (draft) methods for data analysis;
• Brief justification of the methods and techniques used (including relevant underlying values and assumptions/ theories) with a justification of the selections made (e.g. of persons interviewed).

Draft Assessment Report

Word Document
max. 30 pages

Final Assessment  Report (including Executive Summary)

PDF Document
max. 30 pages

Cleaned Data (including transcripts)

(Including data files (e.g. Excel, SPSS), transcripts of qualitative data, syntax/ code books etc.)

8.0  Timeline

Activity
Time
Days of Work
Responsible
Individuals Involved
Tendering/Deadline for submission of proposals
12.05.2020 –

Selection of Award
15.05.2020 –

Submission of Inception Report
18.05.2020 (approved by Plan until 20.05)
4 work days for commenting on inception report for Plan

Data Collection
22.05 .- 27.05.2020

Data Analysis
27.05.2020-31.05.2020
5 working days

Submission of the first draft
5.06.2020

Validation of findings with key stakeholders and respondents & feedback incorporation
10.06.2020

Submission of Final Report
15.06.2020

9.0  Budget

The consultant shall lead the field data gathering and is expected to propose budget that covers all related costs for the evaluation including the cost for validation of findings in the program area. Plan International Zambia will assist the consultant in coordination and making appointments with relevant stakeholders for data collection.

Milestone
Detail
Amount to be Paid (%)
Expected Timeframe
Upon contract signature

50%

Upon submitting the final report

50%

10.0 Expected Qualifications

The lead Consultant will have knowledge of and/or proven expertise in the following:

• The Lead Consultant must poses vast experience in conducting Gender Assessments and a traceable recommendation in carrying out such assignments. Preferable with Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Gender studies. A PhD will be an added advantage.
• The team members must have a strong background in Gender and in  particular expertise in Gender assessment , Programming, inclusion and disability.
• The consultants should have ability to present credible findings derived from evidence and putting conclusions and recommendations supported by the findings.
• Proper understanding of rigorous research designs involving multiple locations, respondents and processes.
• Recent and relevant experience in working in developing countries in the past 7 years
• Professional work experience in conducting assessments and reviews and capacity development projects and programmes
• Fluency and exceptional drafting and reporting skills in English is required.
• High level of professionalism and an ability to work independently and in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.
• The consultant must have working experience in Zambia and be familiar with the cultural background of both urban and rural communities.
• Demonstrate experience with community development approaches; gender responsive participatory methodologies, advocacy, disability inclusion, and children participation.
• Evidenced experience in conducting gender sensitive participatory qualitative and quantitative studies
• Demonstrates meeting all legal requirements.

11.0 Contact

Interested Consultants should submit their proposals to:

Plan International Zambia

Email: [email protected]

12.0 Applications

Interested applicants should provide a proposal covering the following aspects:

• Detailed response to the TOR
• Proposed methodology
• Ethics and child safeguarding approaches, including any identified risks and associated mitigation strategies
• Proposed timelines
• CVs
• Example of previous similar assignments
• Detailed budget, including daily fee rates, expenses, etc.

Please send your application to Plan International <[email protected]> by 12th May , 2020.