Research Consultant

Background:

In Grand Bassa County, rural dwellers depend almost entirely upon land and other natural resources for their livelihoods. Unequal access and ownership of land and other resources have contributed to social, economic and political inequities that have exacerbated tensions and conflict. Access to land and its resources, and security of tenure are essential for economic revitalization, growth and poverty reduction. In Buchanan City, some families especially, female headed households don't have access to good prime land for housing and agriculture purposes. Consequently, the women resort to building shelters on flood plain areas (that are susceptible to seasonal flooding) and farming in deep swamp areas. The outcome of building on flood plains increases incidence of illness, loss of properties and lives.

UNIFEM in keeping with its mandate of promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment is partnering with Grand Bassa County Administration to identify laws, policies and practices that hinder women's access to land and other productive resources.

The aim of this consultancy is to identify barriers to women accessing land for shelters and farming and devise strategies for revising key areas of laws, policies and practices that hinder women's access.

Specifically, UNIFEM will:

• Support a research study that identifies key areas of laws, policies and practices that hinder women's access to land and other productive resources
• Hold validation meetings for rural women, government, community leaders and gender advocates to discuss research findings related to laws and policies that hinder access to land and other productive resources for women
• Support capacity of the National Rural Women Programme in advocacy for increased access to land and productive resources

Outcome Indicators:

• Increased understanding of factors that may limit women's access to prime shelter and agriculture land
• Barriers to women's access to land identified and disseminated
• Strengthened capacity of women and civil society groups in advocacy and networking for the revision of legal frameworks, practices and policies as relates to agriculture land

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the UNIFEM Economics Rights Program Officer and with oversight of the UNIFEM Liberia Country Representative, the consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Undertake a detailed research (including Literature / Desk Review) to identify key factors, policies and practices that may hinder allocation to women's economic programs; and recruit at least one (1) local staff from the named counties on data collection, etc.
• Key informant interviews of government, community leadership and women for knowledge of laws and practices governing access of land
• Analysis of data
• Facilitate a validation meeting for rural women, government, community leaders and gender advocates to present research findings related to laws and policies that hinder access to land and other productive resources for women
• Strengthen the capacity of the Grand Bassa Branch of National Rural Women Program in advocacy for increased access to land and productive resources

Competencies:

• Desk Review and analysis of documents including Review of Statutory and customary laws on land in Liberia, review of GoL Agriculture land policies and practices, review of EPA regulation on used of swamp and wetland usage, Buchanan City Ordnance and regulations, Land Ownership pattern and practices in and around Buchanan City, and other relevant government documentations

Required Skills and Experience:

• Graduate or post graduate degree in: Law, Regional Planning and Strategic Planning or any other social sciences
• At least 5 years working experience as a researcher
• Experience in facilitating participatory discussions, workshops/community meetings
• Computer literate (Excel, Word, etc.)
• Good command of the English language
• Experience of working in the region is added advantage
• Analytical, research and report writing skills
• Use of participatory tools in facilitation processes meetings, peer discussions, gender mainstreaming, etc.)
• Conflict resolution and peace building
• Strategic analysis and prioritization

To Apply:

Please apply online at: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=18162

Application Deadline: 3 August 2010.