Consultancy to Conduct Gender Analysis in Lagos, Cross River and Kano States at Save The Children

Background
Gender inequality and gender norms are closely linked to the epidemic control of HIV/AIDS. They also have impact on access to community HIV prevention and care and support. Therefore, it is imperative for community Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program to evaluate the impact of gender norms and gender inequality in the community by conducting gender analysis.

Gender analysis in the context of PEPFAR focuses on the socio-cultural gender norms, inequities, and inequalities that put people at risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, their ability to access HIV services, and efforts to achieve epidemic control. This includes: (a) access to and control over resources; (b) access to and utilization of HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support; and (c) differences in power among and between women, men, girls, boys, and gender and sexual minorities, as well as subgroups of these populations.

Purpose

• The purpose of the gender analysis is to review key gender issues and gender-based constraints in Lagos, Cross – River and Kano State, and offer conclusions and recommendations to strengthen the PEPFAR response in the States.
• The STEER team will work with a consultant as well as CSOs in those States to conduct the analysis and develop the required deliverables.

The analysis will address the following objectives:

• To identify the gender-based constraints to, and opportunities for, equitable access and participation in STEER programs and services.
• To identify strategies and approaches that STEER can use to improve its programs to promote gender equality and improve the well-being of women, men, girls and boys.
• To provide key recommendations that identifies and prioritizes how STEER can integrate the PEPFAR gender strategies into existing programs and strategies.
• To conduct gender training for STEER staff, CSOs and project community volunteer.

In order to reduce vulnerabilities that put people at risk of HIV infection, as well as mitigating factors of the disease, PEPFAR has outlined five key gender strategies:

• Increasing gender equity in HIV/AIDS programs and services, including reproductive health
• Preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV)
• Engaging men and boys
• Increasing women and girls’ legal rights and protection
• Increasing women and girls’ access to income and productive resources, including education

Approaches and Tasks
The various approaches that will be utilized for tasks to be completed during the gender analysis are as follows:

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review of pertinent documents, analysis, assessments, studies and reports including those conducted by the Government of Nigeria, PEPFAR (USAID, CDC, Peace Corps, and DOD), academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs).
• A formative meeting of STEER team will be held to:
  • Share background, experience, and expectations for the assignment
  • Formulate a common understanding of the assignment, clarifying team members’ roles and responsibilities
  • Agree on the objectives and desired outcomes of the assignment
  • Establish a team atmosphere, share individual work styles, and agree on procedures for resolving differences of opinion
  • Discuss initial findings from literature review
  • Review and finalize data collection tools and methodology
  • Finalize work plan and schedule, and strategy for achieving deliverables
  • Review and finalize draft report outline
• Hold in-brief meetings with STEER State team and CSOs to review the objectives of the gender analysis, scope of work, work plan and calendar, and finalize logistics.
• Visit STEER project sites and community-based organizations in order to gain insight into project activities.
• Collate and analyse data collected during key informant interviews, program site visits, and literature review.
• Debrief STEER team on key findings and recommendations of the gender analysis.
• Prepare draft and final reports.

Deliverables
The following deliverables are expected from this SOW:

• Written methodology, work plan, schedule and draft report outline.
• List of documents consulted for the literature review.
• A list of sites/organizations/institutions visited and individuals and groups interviewed.
• A debrief meeting for the STEER team and prior to the submission of the draft report. A PowerPoint presentation will be prepared for the meeting.
• A draft report addressing key findings, conclusions, recommendations shall be submitted within one week of the completion of the analysis.
• A final report shall be submitted by the consultant 5 (five) days from the date of receipt of STEER team feedback on the draft report.

Logistics
The STEER State team will:

• Arrange in-state transportation logistics and set up meetings with Government representatives, implementing partners, and civil society.

Documentation
The STEER team will supply the following documents to the consultant once the SOW is approved:

• PEPFAR Country Strategy
• Recent (i.e. within the past five years) DHS or other epidemiological data or assessments of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
• National laws, regulations, and policies on women, gender and/or gender-based violence
• Any other recommended reports that look at issues of gender (in)equality, women’s and girl’s empowerment, and MARPS (female sex workers, transgender, and MSM)
• Summary of other donor-funded report of gender analysis done in Nigeria