Request for Proposals (Individual Consultancy) Study on Socio-Cultural Determinants of Voting Patterns in Nigeria

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) request for proposals from individual consultants to conduct situation analysis on socio-cultural determinants of voting patterns in Nigeria under the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) programme in Nigeria.

It is expected that the situation analysis/study will intensively assess the overall voting pattern in Nigeria particularly challenges to women’s representations, and impact to the overall socio-cultural determinants of voting, party’s nominations and support from informal and formal sectors in Nigeria. The study will also examine institutional, political and social/cultural factors intermixed, particularly in relation to gender equality and rights of women, including impact on their education and economic position. It will also assess the extent to which the national policies and laws including formal and informal conventions have in anyway facilitated or hindered women’s participation in political activities in Nigeria. The study will analyze roles of networks and political institutions, and possible ways of networks/Institutional engagement for increased representation of women in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria.

Objectives
The objectives of the study are;

1. to generate knowledge which will raise awareness on the relationship between socio-cultural practice and women’s participation in political activities.
2. to implement innovative solutions to socio-cultural challenges to women’s participation in political activities
3. to identify the responses that should be provided for addressing those issues and barriers such as soda-cultural factors at all levels of governance.
4. to develop baseline data and indicators for programming in order to enhance women’s participation in political activities.
5. to foster accountability of traditional institutions on issues related to women, girls, and gender equality and election activities in Nigeria.

Methodology: It is expected that the situation analysis would adopt participatory methodology at every stage of the process involving all relevant stakeholders. This will also involve gap analysis that would identify gender gaps within the border laws enforcement agents, a broad based consultation with Stakeholders, focus group discussions (where appropriate), community dialogue, key informant interviews (KIIs) with selected Stakeholders, memoranda from relevant stakeholders (especially the Civil Society Organizations), Desk review of existing local, national and international documents and instruments in relevant areas. The states for the study in the respective zones must be chosen by means of scientific sampling process adopting the following multi-stage sampling of the LGAs (both Urban and Rural), select Enumeration Areas within the LGAs, and selection of street and Households.

Project Scope:
The Consultant will visit at least six Nigerian States randomly selected, and one from each geo-political zone.
Main Task for the Consultant:

1. The Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:
2. Carry out a thorough scan of the policy environment on electoral processes in Nigeria
3. Desk review of related literature,
4. Gather accurate data on the characteristics and activities of women in elections(in terms of demographics, their needs, access to financing and services, types and Field collection of data and analysis of the underlying socio-cultural and economic issues that determine voting pattern in Nigeria
5. There will be a validation of findings and recommendations by a wide range of stakeholders. The final products will he published and widely disseminated as a tool for advocacy, to advance behavioral change in communities, among political parties, institutions across Nigeria. The comprehensive report will entail the followings:

• Provide a comprehensive analysis of the working political environment and constraints facing women politicians, such as cultural factors, formal and informal legal, geo-physical and policy environment, etc.;
• Assess the impacts of money politics and implication for women politicians.
• Give a comparative analysis of men and women politicians particularly at party level
• Provide an overall assessment of the needs of female politicians for planning in support of Women’s participation.
• Recommend steps and measures that should be taken to increase nominations of women by political parties
• Facilitate a national stakeholders’ meeting including making of power-point presentations of results
• Provide a comparative analysis of registered and unregistered female politicians.
• Facilitate stakeholders’ meetings including provision of power-point presentations of results

Deliverables

• Work Plan of action covering the duration of assignment
• Tools for the survey
• Final report (financial and narrative) of the findings)

Qualifications/Competences

• An advanced University degree (Masters Degree) In Development Economics, Development Management, Social Sciences, social Works, gender development and other relevant fields.
• At least 10-15 years experience In research, design, implementation and monitoring of development projects, focus group discussions especially projects targeting governance and political participation, gender mainstreaming, other cross-cutting issues such as HIV and AIDS, etc.
• Proven experience with the baseline survey, other strategic planning approaches, M&E methods and approaches (including quantitative, qualitative and participatory), information analysis and report writing;
• Excellent communication skills (written & oral English) is an essential requirement; A working knowledge of French would be an added advantage
• Experiences in working with UN Agencies/bi-lateral development Agencies, government organizations. Knowledge of Nigeria, socio-cultural differences, particularly knowledge of the political terrain and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing management of public resources would be distinct advantage; and Nigerian languages especially Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and broken (pidgin) English
• The consultant should also have a good knowledge and understating of gender analysis. In addition, previous work experience in conducting social research of this magnitude and complexity and ability to supervise a team of researchers from various disciplines is desirable.

Duration: The duration of the consultancy will be for a period of two months (60 working days) starting from the date of signing of contract. During this period, the Consultants will report to UN Women on progress with assignment.

Closing Date
Applicants are request to send on 17th December, 2012 an Implementation plan, including a financial proposal, with evidence of capacity to conduct the analysis.

Remuneration: The Remuneration will beat UN SSA Category NO “C” Minimum

All correspondence, detailed CV, proposal including work plan should be forwarded to unwomen.ng@unwomen.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Supported by the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) II Project