Call for proposal – Participatory Gender Audit

Background

IMS has put gender at the forefront of its media development work, drawing inspiration from intersectional feminism to enhance its work promoting gender equality as part of the rights-based approach to media development, as articulated in the IMS Gender Equality Strategy 2021-2023.

IMS is seeking short-term expert consultants to conduct a participatory gender audit for IMS interlocutor organizations to establish a baseline on gender mainstreaming. The gender audit will seek to promote learning on individual and organisational levels on how to practically and effectively mainstream gender in the policies, procedures, programs, content production, and structures of the participating organisations. In addition, the consultancy should recommend a framework with action plans to efficiently implement and address the findings of the gender audit.

IMS has engaged with media development in MENA since 2006. Gender issues and equity has been a focus area throughout these engagements. Nonetheless, IMS now sees a need and an opportunity to address and promote this issue even more ambitiously. The gender audit of three selected interlocuters outlets represents an important step in pursuit of this ambition.

Overall objective

The main objective of the participatory gender audit for the MENA programme is to promote organisational learning at the individual and operational levels on how to practically and effectively mainstream gender in policies, procedures, programmes, content production and structures amongst a selected number of partner organizations.

The Scope of work

Specifically, the gender audit will seek to:

• Understand the extent of diversity, equity and inclusion measures (DEI) with a focus on gender sensitivity or gender mainstreaming practices (if any) performed by partners.
• Examine the gender balance of staff at different levels, as well as the gender sensitivity of human resource policies, bylaws and self-regulatory mechanisms.
• Examine the absence, or gaps in existing organizational safeguarding policies, procedures and practices, for example zero tolerance to harassment, including protection against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), effective complaints mechanisms, speak up and whistleblowing policies.
• Assess gender sensitivity of content, products and services developed and distributed by each partner.
  Identify and share information on good practices positively contributing to mainstreaming gender within the partner organizations.
• Assess the level of resource allocation for gender mainstreaming and gender related activities.
  Establish baseline data and introduce benchmarks for promotion of gender equality in the organisations, for action at the individual and operational levels for each interlocuter, including indicators, monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Provide broad and specific recommendations, and a gender action plan that builds on the organisational strengthens, critical gaps and challenges at the individual and operational levels identified through the audit.
• To identify room for improvement and suggest possible strategies and innovations to better implement the gender action plan.
• Use a participatory approach with a combination of in-person and online interviews.

Outputs

• Participating organisations will be able to identify gaps in both knowledge and practice for gender mainstreaming at both professional and administrative levels.
• All organisations will be able to develop a gender-sensitive action plan in the organisation.
• The participatory methodology will assist in identifying needs for capacity building in gender at the levels of individuals as well as the organisation.

Timeframe

The gender expert or team of experts are to submit a time frame for implementing the gender audit for the participating partner organisations and action plans within the period October 2023 – March 2024.

Key deliverables

1. Inception report outlining methodology and work plan of the consultancy assignment.
2. Conducting the gender audit within the agreed framework and timeframe for the participating interlocuters.
3. A draft report for each participating organisation to be shared with the targeted interlocuters and IMS MENA for feedback and comments.
4. Full report on the process conducted for each interlocuter.
5. A well-edited report (for each interlocuter separately) on the gender audit findings, following its objectives.
6. Presentation of findings for the targeted interlocuters and IMS MENA.
7. A final report that presents and explains in a clear and concise way the Consultant’s main findings with supporting evidence, as well as their recommendations based on the findings. Each report shall make clear recommendations for performance improvement along with proposed framework and action plans to address the findings.

With this call for proposal, IMS requests interested consultants to express their interest in the assignment presenting their experience and financial proposal.

Required proposal format

IMS invites consultants to apply by submitting a Letter of Interest encompassing the following:

• A CV highlighting relevant skills, qualifications and experience that qualify the consultant for the assignment;
• A financial offer for the consultancy assignment specifying the total cost of the consultancy work;
• A note outlining the planned methodology based on enclosed Terms of Reference (max. 2 pages).
• A sample of written work (previously conducted assessment, analysis, research or similar document

Required experience

Applicants must hold a degree in socio-economic sciences, gender studies, or any other relevant field. Preferably, trained in and holding ILO certification in Participatory Gender Audits. The following qualifications are required;

• At least five years of work experience in conducting gender audits and/or related DEI organisational assessments.
• Relevant experience with NGOs and private firms in the arenas of organisational development, raising safeguarding and accountability standards.
• Experience with ILO Gender Participatory Audit is particularly desirable.
• Fluency in Arabic is necessary. Ability to produce a well-written report in English is required.

IMS will select the consultant or consultant team most suitable for the assignment, taking into account the proposal submitted by the applicant, experience, cost and availability.

Learn more here about the call and apply.