Environmental Protection Agency Job Title Gender Consultant 

Call for Expression of Interest

To Provide Technical Support to the Enhancing Climate    Information System for Resilient Development in Liberia (CIS)

Job Title:                     Gender Consultant 

Department:                Executive

Location:                     Monrovia

Expected Start Date: Immediately 

Duration:            Two (2) years (Renewable annually based on Performance) 

Report to:         Project Manager

Background

The Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) received funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement the project (Enhancing Climate Information Systems for Resilient Development in Liberia) otherwise referred to as CIS Project. The objective of the project is to further strengthen Liberia’s climate-related observing and monitoring capabilities, early warning and early action systems, and other environmentalrelated information systems. It seeks to drive a paradigm shift towards evidence-based climate-informed decision-making, planning, and response. The overarching goal of the project is to integrate green growth, environmental resilience, and adaptation into national development planning through effective climate information systems.

The project will reduce the exposure of Liberia’s communities, livelihoods, and infrastructure to climateinduced natural hazards through a well-functioning national Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Forecasting and Early Warning System (MHIBF-EWS). A well-functioning MH-IBF-EWS means having in place trained and equipped Liberia Meteorological Service (LMS), Liberia Hydrological Service (LHS), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to collect weather and climate data; introduce and maintain modeling, forecast weather events and provide early warnings; scale-up evidence-based climate-informed decision-making, planning, and response actions countrywide. Having these in place will lead to transformative change in climate risk reduction and management in Liberia. This new paradigm will focus on translating meteorological and hydrological hazards into the sector- and location-specific potential impacts for the development of sectoral responses to mitigate those impacts. The project´s activities will further support the design, development, and implementation of strategies and actions in the country that effectively address climate change adaptation and sustainable development needs.

The Environmental Protection Agency as the National Designated Authority (NDA) and focal entity for the management of the environment and natural resources in Liberia is empowered to coordinate, monitor, supervise, and consult with relevant stakeholders on all activities in the protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources. EPA is the Executing Entity and will head a Project Implementing Unit (PIU). The PIU will coordinate the implementation of the project and will consist of three technical departments (Liberia Meteorological Service, Liberia Hydrological Service, and National Disaster Management Agency), Project Coordinator, and Project Staff. The role of the three technical departments is to provide technical support to the PIU. 

The AfDB, as an Accredited Entity to the GCF, will provide oversight and quality assurance support services to the CIS. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will assist in the implementation of the Project with support from the EPA and AfDB. The PIU staff including the Project Coordinator, meteorology, hydrology, aviation and Monitoring and Evaluation specialists, and finance officer will be hosted at the EPA and will report to the Executive Director/CEO of the EPA and the AfDB Country Office. The Monitoring and Evaluation specialist will provide technical support to the project daily.

         Objective

The gender expert will support the project by combining field consultations and desk reviews to strengthen the gender assessment with a specific focus on gender issues and opportunities within the context of the project interventions. The results of the assessment will inform the gender action plan including activities to promote gender mainstreaming in the project. The gender assessment will encompass desk review and field consultations with relevant stakeholders and ensure a clear link of the project components to the gender issues related to climate and weather information design, access, and use of information in Liberia. The assessment will cover, among others, (i) gender disparities pertinent to the implementation of the project; (ii) systemic barriers to gender equality in the climate and weather services and opportunities to address them within the capacity of the project; (iii) the current level of knowledge about climate information services and knowledge gaps to be addressed through capacity building and awareness-raising activities; and (vi) specific components or other mechanisms to ensure that both women and men participate in and benefit from the project. 

    Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Gender Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Conduct a detailed gender analysis as guided by the Government of Liberia, AfDB’s, and GCF’s gender policies, particularly emphasizing gender issues in access and use of climate services, gender differences in the control of technologies, women’s and men’s needs, and preferences, and opportunities for and constraints on women’s participation. 

• Identify government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and women’s associations or groups whose work focuses on gender and the specific area of intervention.
• Review and take stock of gender policies/strategies in the climate change and disaster risk management policies. 
• Field surveys and interviews with institutions (including the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection) and communities (including women groups) to substantiate gender-related challenges in the climate information and early warning system use, access, and dissemination. 

Deliverables

Based on gender analysis, update the gender action plan with activities that identify opportunities and entry points for mainstreaming gender into the project, the Gender Consultant will be expected to deliver on the following:

• Analyze each project component and elaborate on specific gender activities
• The action for gender mainstreaming should mirror the project’s log frame and include the development of gender-specific project components, gender-responsive targets and indicators, timelines, assigned responsibilities, and implementation arrangements. Update cost estimates for the implementation of the gender action plan. 
• Integrate relevant gender components from the plan of action for gender mainstreaming in the project document, including cost estimates for its implementation. 
• Collect sex-disaggregated baseline data that could be used to monitor potential gender impacts. 
• Assess the capacity of the Liberia Meteorological Service (LMS), Liberia Hydrological Service (LHS), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on gender mainstreaming. Provide training where needed. 

Required Competences

             Education

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Gender Study or Social Work and/or social and natural sciences-related disciplines.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of practical experience in the field of gender equality and gender mainstreaming 
• Formal training in gender analysis and gender planning and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects and programs, especially climate change and climate services 
• Thorough understanding of the gender context in Liberia and experience working with government institutions and international or non-governmental organizations supporting gender and development work in the climate change and climate/weather services space; 
• Familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies in the specific area of intervention; 
• Strong communication skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders, including government officials.
• Fluency in written and spoken English 

• Ability in negotiating, diplomacy, and lobbying skills.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision to meet short deadlines.
• Commitment and drive to achieve challenging goals and problem-solving attitude.
• A team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with multiple teams located in multiple institutions.
• Ability to identify client needs and deliver them promptly and accurately.
• Ability to work under tight timelines.
• Demonstrated ability in team management and collaboration.

IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

The Gender Consultant will be work under the supervision of the Project Manager of the PIU.

Mr. Pescee T. Doe

Assistant Manager, Procurement Unit Environment Protection Agency (EPA)

4th Street, Sinkor

1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia

P.O. Box 4024

or through email (info@epa.gov.lr), indicating “Gender Consultant – CIS” The Closing date for applications is Monday, August 26, 2024, at 4 pm. Any application received after this date will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications correspond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

The EPA shall recruit the Gender Consultant through an open, transparent, and competitive process and shall be guided by inter alia the Procurement and Public Concessions Act of Liberia. All PMU staff shall conform to the Government of Liberia’s laws on anti-bribery and anti-corruption. Notice is hereby issued to all interested candidates that failure to adhere to conflict-of-interest restrictions and anti-fraud and corruption rules constitutes grounds for potential debarment from future participation in the procurement of goods, services, or works that may result from the project.