CALL FOR APPLICATION
 Terms of Reference for a gender Expert to support the Implementation of a Menstrual Health Education Project in Mehe, Mayo Sava Division,

Far North Region of Cameroon

Title    Gender Expert
Location    Maroua/ Mehe Mayo Sava Division, Far North Region of Cameroon
Start Date    01st October2024
Duration    10 working days for this specific Assignment and 3 months for the gender policy document preparation for GNCMR
Budget    TBD

CONTEXTE
About Good Neighbors:
Good Neighbors is an international Korean NGO founded in Seoul in March 1991. It is present in 49 countries around the world and aims to make the world a better, hunger-free place, where people live together in harmony. It focuses on community development to protect children's rights and encourage community autonomy.
Good Neighbors started its operations in Cameroon since 2014. It has a head Office is in Yaoundé and field Offices in Maroua and Mbalmayo. GNCMR's work is focused on community development, implementing projects in the sectors of Health, Gender, Child Protection, livelihood (Income Generation Activities), food security, Education, Water and Sanitation hygiene and Environment. Good Neighbors Cameroon works with different international partners such as the United Nations and INGOs to seek sustainable solutions to development and humanitarian challenges. The organization also targets different international donors for funding opportunities.
Health is a key intervention sector of Good Neighbors because good health care is a prerequisite for staying alive. In vulnerable communities where basic health care is a serious issue, women are more affected as compared to men. This is particularly in relation to female related realities such as child birth and menstrual hygiene which are strongly related to women’s health. Good Neighbors therefore places a particular attention on gender aspect in basic health care with a strong consideration on the health situation of women.
I.    PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Menstrual hygiene management is a crucial aspect of women's health that is often overlooked and stigmatized. Proper management of menstrual hygiene can prevent infections, reduce reproductive health issues, increase confidence and self-esteem and improve access to education. According to the government of Cameroon, 70% of menstruating women and girls lack access to regular basic sanitation products.
This is even worse in vulnerable communities. It was discovered through an assessment that 4 out of 5 girls have never heard of menstruation before their period. What's more, 99% of these women use old, dirty cloths as absorbents for menstrual blood during their periods. Menstruation is still a taboo and there are so many myths surrounding menstruation in this community. This prompted Good Neighbors Cameroon to design a project entitled “Improving menstrual health education among the women and girls of Mehe, in the division of Mayo Sava, in the Far North region of Cameroon”. The aim of this project is to improve menstrual health among the women of Mehe by providing them with better access to reliable, factual information on menarche and menstruation. Thanks to this project, women and girls should also become aware of the health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene management. The project will have 1500 direct beneficiaries aged between 13 and 40.
The purpose of this project is to improve menstrual health and hygiene for women and girls in the village of Méhé, Township of Meme in Mayo-Sava Division, Far North Region of Cameroon, so they can participate fully in educational, cultural and civic activities in their community with dignity, thereby improving their well-being and that of their families.
The ultimate outcome—to improve menstrual health and hygiene—contributes to reduced gender inequalities that arise due to misinformation and stigma and inadequate facilities and supplies

II.    OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
From the above background, Good Neighbors Cameroon is seeking the services of a gender expert Consultant to build the capacity of project staff in integrating gender equality principles and gender mainstreaming approaches into all aspects of the menstrual health Education project. The Consultant will also ensure that a gender sensitive approach is used to improve menstrual health and hygiene knowledge, practices and decision making power of women and girls in Mehe, Mayo Sava Division in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Specifically, the Consultant will,
1.    Conduct a rapid gender assessment of the project’s existing design, current approaches and implementation plan to identify areas for improvement
2.    Train project staff on gender equality and gender mainstreaming principles with the aim of promoting gender equality and mainstreaming in all aspects of project design, implementation and monitoring
3.    Train project staff on gender equality principles, gender mainstreaming and their application in Menstrual health and hygiene programming, implementation and monitoring
4.    Facilitate out a sensitization campaign in Mehe village to promote gender equality and women empowerment in general and specifically, in the context of menstrual health and hygiene
5.    Support the development of gender sensitive materials and tools for menstrual health and hygiene education and community engagement
6.    Understand Good Neighbors Cameroon’s vision and goal and provide general technical guidance on integrating gender considerations into project design, implementation and monitoring for Good Neighbors Cameroon
7.    Propose a Gender policy for Good Neighbors Cameroon and organize a workshop for project staff to explain this policy ( 2 months after this specific Assignment)
NB:
Any other relevant element not mentioned in these TOR may be added
The Consultant may decide to work with a collaborator or assistants to facilitate her work (This collaborator or assistant is NOT the responsibility of Good Neighbors Cameroon).
Good Neighbors Cameroon is responsible for;
1.    Ensuring access to project information, information about the Organization , mobilization of Community members and focal persons for activities in the community

2.    Ensuring follow-up of the Consultation


III.    EXPECTED OUTPUTS
1.    A detailed rapid gender assessment report which identities any possible areas for improvement in the project’s design and implementation plan and recommendations for in
2.    A gender mainstreaming action plan for the project
3.    Gender sensitive materials and tools for menstrual health education
4.    Final Consultancy report
5.    Gender Policy for Good Neighbors Cameroon

IV.    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1.    Masters degree in gender studies, social sciences or any other related field
2.    A minimum of 5 years experience in the field of gender equality and gender mainstreaming
3.    Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender in projects and programmes especially in the Far North Region of Cameroon
4.    Good Knowledge on the intersectionality between menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) and gender equality
5.    Good understanding of Menstrual health and hygiene global and national
6.    Strong facilitation and communication skills
7.    Proven ability to work in a diverse cultural context
8.    Fluency in French and Fulfulde language is required. Fluency in English is an added advantage

V.    EVALUATION CRITERIA
Criteria    Percentage
Technical expertise    40%
Experience    30%
Facilitation and Communication skills    15%
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability    15%



VI.    DUTIES, TIMELINE AND LOCATION
DUTIES    TIMELINE    LOCATION
Conduct a rapid gender assessment of the project’s existing design, current approaches and implementation plan to identify areas for improvement
                
             
            2 days                 

                 Maroua
Train project staff on gender equality and gender mainstreaming principles with the aim of promoting gender equality and mainstreaming in all aspects of project design, implementation and monitoring
         



    
             
             2 days              





                 Maroua
Train project staff on the application of gender equality and mainstreaming in Menstrual health and hygiene programming, implementation and monitoring
        
Facilitate out a sensitization campaign in Mehe village to promote gender equality and women empowerment in general and specifically, in the context of menstrual health and hygiene
               

              2 days    

    
       Meme and Mehe villages
Support the development of gender sensitive materials and tools for menstrual health and hygiene education and community engagement
                 
             2 days    
      

              Maroua
Provide general technical guidance on integrating gender considerations into project design, implementation and monitoring for Good Neighbors Cameroon
                2 days    
Propose a Gender policy for Good Neighbors Cameroon and organize a workshop for project staff to explain this policy ( 3 months after this specific Assignment)
             
         
 2 months for the policy and two days for the training session    
Yaoundé or Maroua.. We will make arrangement for staff in other field offices to attend the training session virtually

VII.    REPORTING

1.    The Consultant is expected to produce the report of the Consultancy no later than two weeks after the first 10 days of the Consultancy
2.    The Gender Policy document for Good Neighbors Cameroon will be produced and shared with GNCMR no later than two months after the start of this Consultancy

VIII.    SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS


•    The application deadline is Wednesday, September 25th, 2024. We look forward to receiving the independent consultant's training proposal and curriculum vitae, as well as references from other similar assignments.
•    Please send your application by email to the attention of Good Neighbor s Cameroon Administrative Department with the following address:  
recruiting.gncmr@gmail.com

•    Indicate in the Email subject line: GENDER EXPERT, MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT CONSULTANCY.

•    Applications to be sent by email must include:
- A cover letter;
- CV,
- A copy of certificates, diplomas and attestations;
- An offer memorandum outlining the consultant's METHODOLOGY, PROPOSED BUDGET and WORK SCHEDULE.