Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has developed a 5-year electoral support programme for Zimbabwe, which is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Capacity Building Project (ZIM-ECO). This programme is a response to a request by the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for UN capacity building support to ZEC. The UN fielded an electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 26 May to 5 June 2015 to undertake wide stakeholder consultations to evaluate the electoral environment, the legal and institutional framework governing the electoral process and the capacity and needs of the various election stakeholders in response to the request. The mission recommended support for immediate short-term assistance in the areas of voter registration, voter education, gender mainstreaming and budget formulation, followed by development of a longer-term programme of capacity development for ZEC and other election stakeholders.

The project has three outputs, which are:

• Strengthened institutional and electoral capacity of ZEC to meet its constitutional mandate to ensure sustainability
• Sustainable voter registration system for the 2018 elections and beyond that is credible and inclusive
• Enhanced and effective ZEC’s engagement with electoral stakeholders including the eligible voters

ZEC, UNDP and UN Women are working in partnership towards achieving the gender mainstreaming elements of the project and establishing a gender baseline survey is one of the key initial activities that will be undertaken. It is against this background that ZEC has requested UNWomen to facilitate the recruitment of a consultant to establish a gender baseline for ZEC, develop the relevant tools and produce a report.

Consultancy to establish a Gender Baseline

To assess the success or failure, impact or lack thereof of any interventions requires existence of a baseline against which the results can be measured. ZEC is undertaking to develop a gender baseline survey using a capacity development approach. The baseline survey will be led by ZEC with technical support from the consultant and ZIMSTAT. ZIMSTAT has extensive experience in conducting national surveys and studies, therefore it will assist in the development of baseline survey methodology, sampling, training of enumerators, advance analysis techniques and quality assurance throughout the process. A research consultant with key expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative research and with knowledge of gender equality or engendering electoral processes is required to assist ZEC regarding the development of a baseline survey quantitative questionnaire, associated tools, training material and application of qualitative instruments. The consultant will undertake the analysis based on the findings and write the final report.

• Conduct a desk review of the situation of women’s participation in elections particularly in voter registration, voter education, participation, behavior and protection; 
• Develop tools and instruments for quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis of information;
• Develop training material for use in the training of enumerators;
• Conduct key informant interviews;
• Plan and conduct stakeholder consultations and use other participatory methods for information gathering;
• Undertake focus group discussions;
• Undertake detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis for discussion with ZEC;
• Finalise the baseline report based on international standards and best practices.

Expected Output:

• The key output for this assignment shall be the comprehensive Gender Baseline Survey Report.

Deliverables:

• A proposal outlining the methodology for developing the baseline survey and tools
• A stakeholder’s workshop report
• Survey instruments both quantitative and qualitative;
• Training materials for the enumerators;
• Analysis of data collected from qualitative and quantitative instruments;
• Analysis of report findings, including reflection on gender, human rights and governance issues;
• A comprehensive analytical report reflecting the findings of the baseline survey.

•  Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:
Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation:

• Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams:

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communication and Information Sharing:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

• Vast experience in writing reports and publications which have made a significant contribution to gender equality programmes or learning in the field of development practice and studies;
• Prior experience with development of research tools and analysis of data;
• Prior experience with government, UN system and civil society organisations in designing strategic interventions in elections;
• Strong and sound knowledge of national, regional and international human rights and governance frameworks;
• Knowledge of gender equality and rights based programming of UN agencies and government;
• Knowledge of the functioning of independent constitutional commissions within the framework of human rights and elections, international law and Zimbabwean law;
• Results oriented, exhibiting high levels of enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy and integrity; and able to work with minimal supervision;
• Strong analytical and drafting skills;
• Ability to adapt to different environments (cultural, economic, political and social);
• Availability to work with the Programme during the indicated /approved period;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and to present ideas clearly and effectively.

• Advanced degree in Law, Human Rights, Organisational Strategy and Development, Gender, Development, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related discipline.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in research, both qualitative and quantitative research;
• Experience in conduct of research for election management bodies in Africa and beyond;
• Experience in the design of baseline studies and surveys as well as the use of appropriate methodologies.

Language:

• Excellent communication (spoken, written and presentation) skills/fluency in English, including the ability to draft/edit reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise manner.