TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position. : Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Consultant
Program : WCS-IP Rights and Communities Program
Line manager : WCS-IP Rights and Communities Program Manager
Location : Leuser Landscape in Northern Sumatra
Duration : 3 months
Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) works in over 60 countries to save wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. WCS has worked in Indonesia for over 20 years supporting the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in conserving Indonesia’s biodiversity in several priority landscapes. WCS works closely with relevant government agencies, local communities, schools and universities, and the private sector. Further details of our program are available at https://indonesia.wcs.org and about WCS’s global work at https://www.wcs.org.
The WCS Indonesia Program (WCS-IP) is structured under five core thematic programs, which are Forest, Marine, Wildlife Trade & Policy, One Health, and Rights & Communities. WCS-IP commits in fostering and strengthening the implementation of a human rights-based approach to conservation through the meaningful participation of local communities (men and women) in decision-making processes concerning area-based conservation, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation that are critical for successful conservation. We are also committed in ensuring that WCS-IP conservation actions safeguard the rights and well-being of local communities, as well as the health and security of our staff and partners.
In pursuit of implementing the strategies aforementioned and conducting inclusive conservation activities, WCS-IP intends to initiate an assessment focused on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Leuser Landscape. This assessment aims to critically examine the different gender roles, activities, needs, opportunities, and rights between men and women, and analyze how these differences affect men and women in conservation practices in Leuser Landscape. This GESI analysis will provide crucial information for the development and implementation of a comprehensive GESI strategy in Leuser Landscape. The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Consultant will play a pivotal role in this process, tasked with conducting assessments and formulating a strategic plan that ensures the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles in WCS-IP activities in Leuser Landscape.
Tasks and Responsibilities
1. Conduct GESI assessment
- Perform robust Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) assessment in Leuser Landscape, with following guiding questions:
- How do men and women control, access and use the resources, especially resources that are related to protected area, differently?
- What are existing and potential men’s and women’s roles and activities in supporting the conservation practices?
- Considering the social and gender norms, what are the potential opportunities and challenges in integrating GESI in conservation practices in Leuser Landscape?
- How does patterns of power and decision-making affect the women’s participation in conservation practices?
- Integrate intersectional identities of different gender in the GESI assessment, especially the age, economic and social status, and ethnicity/race.
- Field visit to Leuser Landscape in conducting the GESI assessment
- Have a clear analysis framework in conducting the assessment
- Conduct the secondary research as necessary to support the result of the primary data collection, including the existing information that WCS-IP has.
2. Formulate GESI strategic plan
- Based on the result of the GESI assessment, develop a strategic plan with clear recommendations to integrate GESI in WCS-IP interventions in Leuser Landscape. This strategic plan should comprise strategies but not limited to:
- Strengthen the participation of female community members in relevant project activities, including in the decision-making process
- Ensure the WCS-IP activities do not exacerbate the gender inequalities that may exist in the landscape
- Mitigate the risk of gender-based violence
- Incorporate the relevant information from other sources into the strategy
Deliverables
1. Report on GESI Assessment and Strategic Plan:
- Develop a comprehensive report detailing the result of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion assessment, encompassing the deep analysis based on the guideline questions.
- Develop a strategic plan in addressing GESI issue and how to integrate GESI in WCS-IP interventions in Leuser Landscape.
2. Presentation to WCS-IP:
- Conduct presentation to the WCS-IP team, encompassing the results of the GESI assessment, key findings, and the strategic plan.
Timeline
Job Requirements Qualifications
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in a field relevant to the assignment, for example in gender studies, social sciences, or another relevant field.
Experience:
The GESI Consultant should have:
- A minimum of 5 years practical experience in the field of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
- Extensive knowledge on conducting GESI analysis, developing GESI strategic plan, and integrating GESI into projects and programs
- General knowledge of conservation and/or natural resources management issues, especially in the forest/land context
- Excellent knowledge in conducting human subject research by considering the ethical standards
Competencies:
- Good analytical skills: ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis
- Familiarity with GESI analysis tools and methodologies
- Familiarity with conducting primary research for GESI assessment
- Strong sense for the social norms and culture in the area for conducting primary research
- Strong sense for innovation and new approaches to conservation
- Strong communication skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders
- Decisiveness and independence
- Good report writing and presentation skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- MS Office, as well as database and other analytical software
- Excellent writing skills in both English and Bahasa Indonesia
Kindly submit your tender responses or proposals to WCS by sending them via email to amaghfirah@wcs.org, using the email subject "GESI Consultant Leuser Proposal" no later than the 31st January 2025.