The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)--Gender Consultant – HarvestPlus

Gender Consultant – HarvestPlus

Scope of Work
Value Chains: Gender Roles and Implications

Background

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a gender consultant for the HarvestPlus program. HarvestPlus leads a global effort to improve nutrition and public health by developing and deploying staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.  We work with public and private sector partners in more than 40 countries. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH) and is led jointly by IFPRI and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
HarvestPlus commissioned a Strategic Gender Assessment (SGA) to:

• Review and assess current programs;
• Identify gaps in gender knowledge and implementation;
• Identify successful efforts that could be built-upon or scaled up; and
• Describe where gender-related resources and tools could be leveraged to improve program performance.

An extensive process of document review, staff and stakeholder interviews, and field visits resulted in a detailed analysis of HarvestPlus policies and programs, which were compiled in several reports, including country specific reports for Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. In September 2014, a Gender Strategy Task Force reviewed the SGA reports and developed recommendations and staffing options to support their implementation, and specific actions were approved by HarvestPlus management. Providing a clear assessment of gender differences in value chain development and biofortified crop and product promotion operations was identified as a priority by management.  While a full time gender specialist is envisioned, current funding parameters have prompted HarvestPlus to engage a consultant for this priority activity for several country programs.

Objectives

The primary objective of the consultant is to conduct an analysis of gender roles and responsibilities in value chain development and operations to maximize the effectiveness of HarvestPlus delivery programs. Based on the analysis the consultant will provide actionable program/country specific recommendations to country programs, as well as highlight any issues that need to be monitored by HarvestPlus.  

Tasks

• Develop mechanisms for conducting, and in lead, gender analysis and assessments for 3 country level programs:  Nigeria, Ethiopia and Bangladesh providing capacity development for HarvestPlus staff and partners at country level (Nigeria and Bangladesh), particularly to identify gender roles and responsibilities within target crop value chains, and identify implications and recommendations to maximize effectiveness of delivery interventions, including seed marketing and distribution channels, consumer demand creation, and related technical support.
• Review and provide inputs to country level crop delivery plans for gender sensitivity, and provide recommendations for inclusion in a future gender policy for target countries, as well as expansion country partner planning processes.
• Review country level monitoring indicators and plans, to ensure alignment with intervention refinements where needed.
• Prepare a report for each of the 3 programs/countries.

Schedule

The consultancy is a work from home opportunity and is expected to take 9 weeks during September and October, 2015 – 1 week preparation, 2 weeks each for the evaluation of the 3 programs/countries, and 2 weeks to produce the reports.  A total of 42 days in the field (counting weekends and travel) and 15 days in the US for preparation and report drafting.  Draft reports will be submitted to HarvestPlus for comment, reserving at least 3 days for revisions.

For Consideration

Please submit a cover letter and CV to HarvestPlusCV@cgiar.org.