Economic Justice and Financing Consultant, Association for Women's Rights in Development

Consultant - Economic Justice and Financing for Women's Rights

Posted on: October 22, 2014
Application deadline: November 2, 2014
Start date: November 10, 2014
Posted by: The Association for Women's Rights in Development

AWID

The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) is an international, feminist, membership organization committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women's human rights. A dynamic network of women and men around the world, AWID members are researchers, academics, students, educators, activists, business people, policy-makers, development practitioners, funders, and more.

Terms of Reference: Mapping of relevant advocacy spaces and processes to advance economic justice and women's rights

INTRODUCTION

Mainstream notions of economic growth and development have failed to address a context of multiple crises contributing to the persistence and reproduction of impoverishment, exploitation and injustice, including gendered inequalities and violations of women's rights. Equipped with our new strategy, the Economic Justice & Financing for Women's Rights (EJ&FfWR) team within AWID is embarking on a re-assessment of the relevant spaces to influence with a vision of transformation, based on our priorities and intended impact. Beyond seeking equality for women within the existing global economy, we focus our efforts on bringing about just and healthy economies, which would contribute to form the basis for the realization of the fulfillment of women's rights.

We aim to assess, from a feminist perspective, the potential and opportunities for impact of economic justice and financing for women's rights related spaces, processes and events within which AWID and other feminist groups, organizations and movements may conduct advocacy, alliance building and engagement. In order to make this mapping and analysis useful more broadly we intend for the exercise to be two prong: one which focuses on AWID's those that are more relevant for us institutionally within the framework of our strategy; history, achievements and partnerships; value added; and approach and the second that provides an broader overview of these for our partners, allies and constituents. In doing so, we will seek to critically assess the challenges and opportunities of these spaces and provide a tentative roadmap to the processes that might be provide opportunity for transformative change.

FOCUS OF THE MAPPING ANALYSIS

Based on the lessons learnt so far by AWID and our partners' advocacy, alliance building and engagement work, mainly at the UN and within philanthropy spaces, the mapping should look at alternative, innovative or overlooked spaces and their potential for transformative change. Our suggestion is that the mapping analysis has three key parts:

The first part should help to set the scene of the current context of global governance and the evolving of key spaces for decision-making around development, human rights and women's rights. It should look at the historical underpinnings of the involvement of feminist movements in spaces ranging from (i) the UN related conferences (including ILO, ICPD, CSW, CEDAW, Rio+20, OHCHR, UN DCF, post-2015 process, UN HRC, WB, IMF etc); (ii) powerful blocs like the OECD, BRICS, G20, G8, OIC or the World Economic Forum; (iii) alter-globalization spaces like the World Social Forum (WSF), spaces like Solidarity Economy networks gatherings, trade unions confederation meetings, occupy movements mobilizations, etc.

Following this context setting of historical processes, a second chapter should focus on an in-depth analysis and mapping of the current spaces gaining relevance and others losing ground. This exercise should include, but is not restricted to, putting these spaces to the test with questions like:

i) How far are these spaces more or less receptive to women's rights and gender equality issues into their agendas?

ii) What is the level and terms of participation of civil society organizations and of women's rights organizations in particular?

iii) What examples of social and economic transformation worth noting have these spaces promoted, if any?

iv) What impact have the decisions or agreements had at multiple levels?

v) Who are the influential actors in this space or process? How democratic is decision making and how participatory is this space or process?

Analysis will be based on desktop research, interviews with feminists, women's rights, human rights and other advocates as well as with, where relevant, policy makers.

The third and final part should focus on drawing main conclusions and giving recommendations to AWID as well as to women's rights organizations and advocates working for economic justice and human rights, on the lessons learned from other advocates engaging in these spaces, the potential impact and opportunities.

TASKS & KEY DELIVERABLES

A consultant will be engaged to conduct the mapping and analytical study, with accompanying recommendations for AWID as well as a popular tool in a short and accessible format for use by wider feminist and women's rights movements. The consultant will work with the EJ&FWR team of AWID. The mapping study should be no more than 10,000 words approximately and all outputs should be completed by December 2014.

Under the supervision of the EJ&FWR team, the consultant will be expected to:

1. Conduct extensive desktop research
2. Conduct at least 10 interviews with relevant actors
3. Produce an annotated outline as background for the mapping of around 1,000 words for review
4. Produce a first draft of the mapping and analysis report of approximately 10,000 words for review
5. A final draft of the mapping and analysis report of approximately 10,000 words
6. Create a popular tool in a short and accessible format for use by wider feminist and women's rights movements detailing specific spaces, their challenges and opportunities as well as the groups who are already engaged in these spaces and the impact that they have had.

EXPECTED TIMELINE & FEE

Start date: To be determined, but preference would be November 10, 2014

Expected number of work days: 15 days

Fee: US$7500

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit in English, your CV and cover letter to jobs@awid.org by Sunday, November 2, 2014 including an outline of the methodology you would use and an outline of the mapping to be conducted (limit of one page).

We thank all those who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No calls please. AWID encourages, promotes and support diversity in all aspects of its work. To learn more about AWID and our programs, please visit our website at www.awid.org.