Gender expert (individual consultant)

Project: “Improving governance of protected areas in Moldova through institutional development, capacity development and habitat restoration”

Project number: 8389-00/2022

Assignment Name: Social Project

The project “Improving governance of protected areas in Moldova through institutional development, capacity development and habitat restoration, is financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), with funds of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).

The grant agreement for the implementation of the Project was signed on 7 August 2023 between the Austrian Development Agency, the Public Association Ecological Society “BIOTICA” and Public Association EcoContact from the Republic of Moldova,  and a portion of these funds are intended to be applied for eligible payments under the contract for which this Request for Proposals is issued. 

P.A. EcoContact now invites proposals from Individual Consultants to provide the gender-related services in their capacity of Gender Expert for the Project. More details on the services are provided in the Request for Proposals, including the TORs (RfP_Gender Expert.pdf) .  

The objective of the given consultancy is to provide support to PA ES BIOTICA and PA EcoContact in preparing and delivering gender related recommendations to the need assessment document and the internal regulation acts, to the analysis of PAs’ competencies and a system-level register of competencies, to the social perception survey document and related draft questionnaire and guidelines of carrying out the interviews, on the Draft Communication Strategy, all developed under the project and in preparing the intersectional gender analysis  in each of the three project target communities, the reports on the three focus group meetings with women from PAs and the three one-day thematic training courses for women within PAs organized and conducted.

Key Qualifications:

• University or equivalent qualification/degree, preferably in gender studies, social science, communications, or a closely related field.
• A Master’s degree in relevant field would be an asset.
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in gender sectors.
• 5 years of experience would be a strong asset.
• Proved experience in conducting at least one survey on gender aspects similar to the given assignment;
• Strong knowledge of and Gender principles and practices and understanding of their implementation mechanisms according to the ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management (EGSIM) Manual.
• Expert understanding of Moldovan legislation on gender issues, etc.
• Strong experience in communication with local communities.
• Experience in conducting public events (round tables, public hearings, training courses etc.) with stakeholders.
• Experience in developing awareness materials for projects or institutions.
• Experience in social issues under the ADA funded Project in Moldova would be considered a strong advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken Romanian.
• Knowledge of English (both written and oral) and ability to develop documents in English would be an asset.

The consultancy is expected to be undertaken within a period of 10 months, commencing on 30 March 2024, with a level of effort not exceeding 36 person-days. 

Proposals must be submitted to the following e-mails: procurari@ecocontact.md, copy to larisa.cupcea@ecocontact.md no later than the following date and time: 11 March 2024, 18:00 (Chisinau time).