JSI is a public health management consulting and research organization that works globally to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities.  Gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion are part of its larger program implementation. The organization collaborates with governments, NGOs, and other partners to address a wide range of health issues, including HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, nutrition, infectious diseases, and health system strengthening. To strengthen gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion in the organization’s operations, and project implementation, the organization has planned to conduct an audit to enhance understanding of gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion issues and develop a strategy to address them progressively. 

The purpose of the consultancy service

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct an audit of current practices related to gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion within our organization/project/ programs and subsequently develop a comprehensive strategy for improvement in these areas.

Specific objectives

• Generate an understanding of the extent to which gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion mainstreaming have been internalized and acted upon by staff.
• Assess the extent of gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion mainstreaming in terms of the development and delivery of products and services.
• Identify and share information on mechanisms, practices, and attitudes that have made a positive contribution to mainstreaming gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion in the organization.
• Assess the level of resources allocated and spent on gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion activities. 
• Examine the extent to which internal human resources policies and practices are gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion responsive.
• Set up the initial baseline of performance on gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion mainstreaming in the organization with a view to introducing an ongoing process of benchmarking to measure progress in promoting gender equality and social inclusion.
• Set up an action plan on gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion including benchmarks and follow-up actions for monitoring progress.
• Identify room for improvement and suggest possible strategies to implement the action plan better. 

Scope of the service

• Conduct an extensive review of existing policies, reports, and frameworks related to gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion in the organization.
• Review and analyze organizational data, including demographics, to assess current representation and participation rates.
• Conduct interviews and focus group discussions, with relevant stakeholders, including select staff, and management to collect qualitative and quantitative data.
• Analyze the findings from the review and data collection to identify specific areas where the organization can build on or improve to enhance its gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion practices.
• Develop a detailed strategy with clear objectives, activities, indicators, and targets to address the identified gaps.
• Present the audit findings and strategy to the organization's management team for feedback and validation.
• Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the audit findings, strategy, and recommendations, along with practical tools and guidelines for implementation.

Required key deliverables

• It is expected that the Consultant will produce the following deliverables:
• Inception report detailing the methodology and work plan for conducting the audit.
• Comprehensive audit report outlining the findings, challenges, and recommendations for improving gender, youth, and social inclusion practices.
• Strategy document highlighting the goals, objectives, activities, indicators, and targets for enhancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.
• Practical tools and guidelines to support staff in mainstreaming gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion across all programs and activities.

Contract details

The duration of the consultancy is a maximum of 38 days from the date of signature of the consultancy contract with JSI.

Tentative starting date: October 2/2023

The expected level of effort (tentative):  35 days

• The Consultant [A proposed lead by the firm] is expected to have the following skills:
• Experience conducting Gender Audits and/or organizational gender analysis in a development and health context.
• Experience in Gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion perspectives in the Ethiopian context.
• Have social science and humanity background qualifications in sociology, social work, law, and gender and development studies
• Facilitation and participatory methodologies skills to ensure ownership and engagement of e.g., staff groups and management.
• Excellent command of oral and written English skills.
• Gender audit certification is preferable