DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE-YEAR GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN

Project: West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2

Grant No.: E1400-GM

Assignment Title: Consultancy to develop a Five-Year Gender And Climate Change Action Plan

Reference No.: GM-CPCU-411740-CS-INDV

Category: This is for ONLY Local (National) consultants In the Gambia

Background:

The increased occurrence of resource depletion, climatic change, degradation of natural systems and the dangers of environmental hazards are contributing factors to the fragile and degrading conditions of the ecosystems. The resultant effects include displacing communities, especially women, from productive activities are an increasing threat to a safe and healthy environment. As the country’s main food producers, women have a stake in environmentally sustainable development for sustainable livelihood. Land, water and energy resources form the basis of all farming systems, household chores, hygiene, sanitation, accessibility, and affordability are crucial to sustained and improved food production, food security and economic empowerment. Gender differences are evident in livelihood strategies that are rooted in uses of environmental resources, in responsibilities for managing, owning, or stewarding these resources. These have implications for women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood development.

The Gambia is a least developed country (LDC) that, due to its geographic location and status of economic development, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In particular, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels, as well as reduced rainfalls and variations in rainy season patterns, threaten livelihoods. The country depends largely on rainfed smallholder agriculture for food security - the main pillar of the economy - which leaves The Gambia highly vulnerable to drought and changes in annual rainfall patterns. Temperature change and saltwater intrusion also threaten the country’s mangroves, making the country susceptible to flooding.

With these challenges, the Government of The Gambia has ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate change and Paris Agreement to enhance climate action. The Gambia Government has also developed the National Determined Contribution 2 (NDC) to set emissions target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country. In addition to this, a long-term climate change vision and strategy has been developed to address climate mitigation and adaptation measures.

The Government of Gambia through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) has obtained financial support from the World Bank to develop and implement the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP 2). The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen the resilience of targeted communities and areas in coastal Western Africa. To achieve this objective, the project will focus on four (4) components: (1) Regional Integration Strengthening; (2) Strengthening of the Policy and Institutional Framework; (3) Strengthening of National Physical and Social Investments; and (4) Project Management.

Objectives of the consultancy

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) is looking for a qualified gender and climate change expert to provide technical support to MECCNAR and the drafting of the Gender and Climate Change Action Plan with the objective of integrating gender-responsive approaches in the development of Gambia’s next Climate Action Plan (2025-2029).

Qualification and Experience:

The applicant will be evaluated based on the technical capacities on the following criteria as below:

• Master’s degree in social science, gender, environment, development studies, or closely related fields.

• At least 5 years working in policy and programme related to gender, environment, and climate change;

• Proven experience working on gender and environment/climate change, experience on gender mainstreaming in environment/climate change policies will be an asset.

• At least 5 years’ experience in conducting social inclusion research.

• At least 5 years working in policy and programme related to gender and climate change.

• Proven skills in strategic plan and Action Plan development; and Prior experience supporting MECCNAR will be an asset

Deliverables: