Afghanistan: Assessment of inclusion of the marginalized groups in civil society organization with special focus on women and girls
1. Background
1.1 Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA)
Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) is a non-governmental, non-profit, membership based and value driven organization established in 1980 with a mission of empowering individuals, communities and local organizations, primarily in rural areas and with particular focus on women, girls, boys and vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities so that they may participate fully in society and influence their own development. SCA is achieving this by working closely with communities, local and national civil society organizations and relevant levels of government.
Our Vision is: An Afghanistan free from poverty, violence and discrimination, where human rights are respected and all live in dignity, enjoy equal opportunity and social justice.
SCA is currently implementing substantial development programs in Health, Education, Disability and Rural Livelihoods and Community Governance across 14 provinces with a total budget of roughly 40 million USD. Main contributors to SCA budget are Sida, World Bank and increasingly, private contributions and donations.
SCA strategic plan 2014-2017 focuses on rural communities, women, children and persons with disabilities. It built upon SCA’s previous successes and competencies. Service delivery, capacity development, advocacy, gender mainstreaming and rights based approach are the key building blocks of the new organizational strategy. Strategic plan 2014-2017 emphasizes working in close collaboration with the communities that SCA supports. Its programmatic activities are guided by respect for the context and the principle of local ownership. Emanating from a rights-based perspective, SCA supports the capacity development of rights holders in the form of civil society organizations. It continues to commit itself to strengthening the voice of women and enhancing the capacities of civil society organizations to engage women more meaningfully.
1.2 Description:
SCA collaborates with almost 100 civil society organizations in Afghanistan. These partner organizations actively implement development interventions either at the national level or in provinces where SCA operates. SCA’s partner organizations consist of community based groups such as health Shuras, school management committees, organizations of Persons with Disability (PWDs), teachers’ elected councils and professional associations. SCA supports these partner organizations with capacity development through training, mentoring and follow-up support and project grants.
The participation, representation and inclusion of women & men and persons with disabilities are key principles guiding SCA’s work with civil society organizations. However, women in particular, are significantly underrepresented even in SCA and in majority of its partner organizations. This reality has posed a big challenge in ensuring women participation and safeguarding their rights in these organizations.
2. Purpose of Study
The study is commissioned on the premise that equal opportunities, meaningful participation and equal access to resources and decision making by women/girls and men/boys, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups are prerequisites for sustainable development. Development in general relies on the utilization of experiences, skills and contributions of various segments of the society. SCA promotes the long-term objective of inclusion in development specifically advocating for gender equality and participation of the poor and marginalized in Afghanistan. As SCA’s and its partner organizations’ experiences show, there are many obstacles to full inclusion and participation of rights holder in Afghan society. However, SCA lacks a systematic assessment of both the obstacles and opportunities for their participation and representation.
This study aims to deepen SCA’s understanding of the obstacles and opportunities for the marginalized group especially focusing on women’s participation and representation in the segments of civil society that it supports. The study shall systematically look at obstacles and opportunities and analyze how the needs of these groups are addressed. Specifically, how both the practical and strategic needs of women and girls are addressed or not addressed. It shall also aim to give SCA recommendations on how to work with a multi-dimensional approach to enhancing inclusion and specifically increasing women’s voice and enhancing capacities of partner organizations to meaningfully engage women in organizational development and management. The researcher is expected to present a range of methods applicable in the Afghan context where the participation and representation of the marginalized is effectively happening. He/she shall take good practices from other organizations into account.
The outputs of this study will be used to develop a plan of action to strengthen inclusion and increase the voice of women and the capacities of SCA partner organizations to engage women through multiple methods, including capacity development of and dialogue with the partner organizations. The plan of action will include providing the SCA partner organizations with skills and knowledge on utilization of equity based approach to increase women’s meaningful participation and enhance further their confidence in their current and future managerial roles and positions.
2.1 Objectives
The objectives of the study are three-fold:
To identify the obstacles (social, legal, customary, traditional etc.) and opportunities for marginalized groups especially women/girls participation and representation in the segment of civil society that SCA supports.
To present policy and programmatic recommendations and suggest pathways towards a multi-dimensional approach to enhancing inclusion specifically in increasing women’s voice and enhancing organizational capacities to engage women more meaningfully.
To compile good practices from likeminded organizations and present contextually specific methods to increase the participation and representation of marginalized groups especially women and girls, taking good practices from other organizations into account.
2.2 Target Groups
The researcher is expected to propose target groups in the methodology part of the proposal. However, SCA anticipates that target groups will include SCA partner organizations which include local organizations, Shuras, Community Development Councils, school management committees, teacher education council, disabled peoples’ organization specifically women and men actively engaged in these organizations that SCA collaborate with, other national and international NGOs that work with similar issues, select duty bearers from relevant government departments and ministries and human rights, gender and civil society experts.
2.3 Methodology
Candidates applying for this ToR are expected to present a research methodology (qualitative or quantitative in nature) professionally articulating how the purpose and objectives above will be achieved. Researcher is expected to begin with a desk review of relevant literature and policies, both internal and external. SCA’s internal documents, such as organizational assessments of partner organizations will be of use to better understand the situation regarding participation and representation. The researcher is expected to utilize literature and other sources to assess obstacles to marginalized groups’ specially women’s and girls’ participation and representation and good practices within SCA and other organizations.
Research tools, including focus groups, interviews, etc. are at the discretion of the researcher; proposals will be evaluated on robustness of research and realistic planning.
2.4 Scope
Geographic area and target groups will be decided in collaboration with the researcher, and will be contained to at least two of the most secured Regional Offices where SCA operates, and Kabul. Please see map: http://www.swedishcommittee.org/our-work. In conjunction with SCA, the researcher will select an appropriate partner organization sample for interviews or focus group discussions. It is understood that the scope of study will not be representative of the entire nation, but will rather present an informative snapshot of inclusion by marginalized groups with special focus on gender mainstreaming challenges and good practices, deviations, and innovations.
3. Deliverables and reporting deadlines:
A total of 20 working days are allocated for this study including two-day travel to and back from Kabul. The researcher may select how he/she allocates the 20 days to achieve the expected outcomes. The researcher will be responsible for the following:
Inception report: Following the desk review and prior to beginning the field work, the researcher will produce an inception report. This report will detail a draft work plan with a summary of the primary information needs, the methodology to be used and a work plan/schedule for field visits and major deadlines. SCA shall review the inception report and will approve the study design prior to commencement of the study. This is considered part of planning/preparation period, and hence recommended to take place in 2 days.
Field research: This is expected to be conducted within 10 working days (3 days to visit Kabul based organizations, including 1 day to interview East and Central region based organizations representatives in Kabul), 4 days Balkh visit which includes one day travel and interview with partner CSOs and local government authorities for 2 days, and 2 day Jalalabad visit and 1 day to meet KMO department staff to discuss with the CCU and HRU teams, tools and methods that will be used including orienting staff that will support the consultant).
Presentation of findings: A briefing of main findings through a presentation at the end of the field research to be held at Kabul Management Office (1 day to organize findings and 1 day to present these findings and initial recommendations, total of 2 days).
Draft report: A draft study report will be submitted to the Civil Society and Capacity Development Unit and the Human Rights and Gender Unit within 7 days of completing the research. The feedback on the draft will be submitted to the researcher within 10 days of receipt of the draft report. (3 days for drafting the report)
Final report: The final report should be submitted by the researcher no later than 15 June 2016. Report format is at the researcher’s discretion, however, the report is expected to include an executive summary that summarizes the key findings and recommendations. (1 day for finalizing the report)
The research period is designed to run in May 2016.
4. Management of Research and SCA inputs:
• Provide the researcher with all relevant SCA organizational documents, and provide assistance in accessing external
documents providing contextual background if necessary.
• Arrange her/his travel to and from Afghanistan, covering the costs of international flights, visas and health and travel
insurance (if relevant).
• Facilitate contacts with civil society partner organizations.
• Arrange meetings both external and internal and provide accommodation, subsistence and transportation costs for the
duration of the work carried out in Afghanistan
• Accompany consultant on field visits and provide interpretation if needed.
• Assist the consultant in data collection as needed
• SCA security unit will provide the consultant with the security updates. The consultant will have to revise the field survey
plans provided if the security situation changes drastically and unexpectedly.
• SCA is responsible for ensuring that relevant documents are reviewed by relevant parties at appropriate times, and that
external objectivity is preserved.
5. Qualifications and Application process
5.1 Qualifications
Relevant academic degree, with experience in social inclusion, gender analysis and mainstreaming, capacity development and civil society work.
At least three years of experience conducting research in different aspects in gender field.
Experience assessing knowledge and attitudes, as well as practices.
Experience in Afghanistan or a similar context.
5.2 Application Information:
Contract period: The assignment is to be completed within 20 days Duties to begin: May 1, 2016 Last date for application**: 15 April 2016 (3:00 pm Kabul Time)
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