International Consultancy: Climate Change Consultant, Syria

Research on the Impact of Climate Change on Women and Girls in Daraa: The research will explore the impact of climate change on women and girls in terms of who controls resources, decision making around property, livelihood, education and health and how climate change impacts women and girls wellbeing. Additionally, the research will look at how climate change can exacerbate GBV and IPVs in the Daraa context

The Context in Syria

The Mena region is the most water-scarce region in the world, including 15 of the most water-scarce countries worldwide. These past years have seen an increase in extreme heat and drought events

In Syria in particular, the combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the protracted humanitarian crisis and increased climate change effects such as drought and low water levels of the Euphrates have exacerbated the population’s vulnerabilities. This includes threats to their livelihoods and capacity to meet the most basic needs and increased vulnerabilities specifically for women and girls.  In Syria, the Euphrates runs through Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir-ez-Zor governorates. The dramatic decrease in water levels has impacted the availability of drinking water, power generation, and agricultural productivity. The Euphrates River and its related water bodies (lakes, canals) are the sole sources of drinking water for approximately 5.4 million people in Syria. The current drops in water levels have also compromised the water quality as the concentration of chemical, biological, and agricultural waste is likely to increase in the river. In addition, negative coping mechanisms such as overexploitation of water resources and the use of sewage water for irrigation are having important negative impacts on the health of the populations.

In November 2021, UNFPA performed a rapid resilience analysis in Daraa. UNFPA performed 12 FGDs in rural and urban communities in Daraa, 70% of FGDs participants were women. The analysis showed that climate change is causing clear socio-economic disruptions and bringing more load to the vulnerable communities whose adaptive capacities have been affected because of the armed conflict. the consultations with the communities showed a link between the scarcity of drinking and irrigation water, delay and low rainfall, and desertification with GBV risks and other negative coping strategies like: early marriage, displacement of male breadwinners, changing hygiene practices, increasing household debt to afford water costs, child labour, or joining armed groups. These linkages need to be further analysed and investigated through this research. The results of the assessments have been checked with the local authorities who confirmed that climate change is not efficiently incorporated in the government strategies and policies.

Recently, based on a rapid assessment conducted by health authorities and partners in Syria, the results confirmed the outbreak of Cholera epidemic, the analysis showed that the infection could be linked to people drinking unsafe water from the Euphrates River and using contaminated water to irrigate crops, resulting in food contamination. Cholera outbreak is an indicator of severe shortages of water throughout Syria.

Some recent literatures illustrate the linkages between climate change and harmful practices, in particular, gender-based violence. The impact of climate change is expected to double humanitarian response needs by 2030. With more widespread displacements anticipated, the demands on the humanitarian response system to address the needs of those affected, especially those relating to their sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, will grow substantially. When a climate-related disaster strikes, women and girls are at greater risk of gender-based violence. Girls who are unable to attend school if they are displaced, for instance, risk being married off early by parents who can no longer afford to look after them if they have lost their livelihoods. A girl married off to a much older man is at greater risk of intimate partner violence due to the power imbalance in the relationship (UNFPA guidance note on climate change). Climate action plans need to include investment in the health, education and empowerment of women and girls, as this will go a long way towards strengthening the ability of individuals and communities to adapt to the changing climate. It is also critical to consider the needs of the most vulnerable and furthers behind, older persons, people with disabilities, indigenous people and other marginalized groups, especially in ensuring robust early warning systems that prevent losses, protection during disasters and social protection measures that can reduce the impact of loss of livelihood.

In Syria, in addition to the climate change impact described above, the persistence of armed conflict, economic deterioration, displacement, shortages of food, limited access to healthcare, and the COVID-19 crisis all have a gendered and disproportionate impact on girls and women in Syria. This impact is manifested primarily through the GBV that girls and women are subjected to, but also, in their unequal and more precarious experiences of these strenuous conditions.

WASH is key to women’s and adolescent girls’ needs and rights. In addition to being critical for the health and hygiene of women and children, menstrual hygiene, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential for women’s social and economic development, and the realisation of rights. Women are the primary users, providers, and managers of WASH at the household level. Lack of access to safe water can cause difficulties in pregnancy and has a negative impact on the health and survival of both mother and baby.

Women are often involved in agriculture-based livelihoods and in small-scale food production and in securing water supply for their families and communities.

 Research’s Objective

Climate change is a risk multiplier, especially in contexts that are prone to social tensions and conflicts such as Syria. Its impact on the Syrian population, and on the operational context is already very visible and particularly in the areas of the Euphrates River and Daraa. The Scope of this research will be Daraa.

The research aims to contribute to strengthening the area-based process to present more evidence on the linkages between climate change and gender aspects, and analyse gendered impacts of climate change at the individual, community and systems level. The research will also provide a narrative on adaptive capacity to improve understanding of impacts of climate change on women and girls at the local level and available capacity for transformation.

Findings of this study will be used to inform policy makers and practitioners on the linkage between climate change and gender. The research will look at drivers such as relevant gender responsive policies, relevant capacities, women engagement, local knowledge and participation at the different levels, available disaggregated data, and available alternative livelihoods for women. The study will also provide evidence-based information on active local actors, innovative initiatives and implications of climate change on local communities and how it can translate into possible interventions carried out with the support of UNFPA and other key partners.

In particular, the study needs to achieve the following specific objectives, including:

(i) To identify/highlight the linkage between climate change, and RH gender with specific evidence, data and at least 3 case studies from some selected communities in Daraa (the selection of communities will be done in collaboration with key stakeholders engaged in the consultations and UNFPA CO)

ii) Identify existing national public policies and programmes and initiatives from climate change, gender and RH perspective and the gaps in their implementation to ensure the integration of gender in national climate policies.

The researcher is expected to review the available relevant global and regional secondary data sources, but the research will be very specific to Syria context.

Research’s Analytical Questions (adjustable based on the result of the secondary data review)

This research will analyse the compounded effects of climate change and conflict^[1] from a gender perspective and will seek to understand the linkages between climate-related challenges and gender equality. Broad research questions include:

1. What are the linkages between climate change and gender in Daraa?

Through a desk review of national available studies, data, case studies in selected areas and stakeholders interviews, the study should assess the linkages between climate change, gender and RH in Daraa. Please see the following questions to guide the assignment. 

• What are different impacts of climate change on women and girls with focus on their RH outcomes?
• What are the implications of climate change on women’s safety in public spaces, well-being and access to economic opportunities?

What are the impacts of climate change on maternal health outcomes? In which areas these are likely to be stronger (Identify hotspots)?

• What evidence exists of the impact of climate change on GBV (Identify hotspots)? In which areas and circumstances these are likely to be stronger?
• What is the evidence of the impact of climate change and access to RH services?
• How is RH impacted by climate change or other environmental crises in Daraa?
• What key indicators can be identified to measure these different impacts?
• What are gender differences in adaptive capacity?
• What are the characteristics and causes of these differentials?
• Identify successful adaptation solutions at reducing climate risk and increasing resilience related to either health, poverty reduction or social equity at the local level.

2.  What are the existing public policies and programmes that address the impact of climate change on gender equality and RH (this including policies included in the current adaptation plans or other sector policies) and what are the gaps in implementation to ensure the integration of gender and RH in national climate policies?

Through a desk review of national available information, data, case studies in selected areas, stakeholders interviews and using the UNFPA multi-pronged action framework assess the existing responses to strengthen women’s resilience to climate change with focus on RH issues. Please see the following questions to guide the assignment.

• What are the existing adaptation responses that address gender-based vulnerability?
• What is the institutional capacity of health and other sectors to manage the risks of climate-sensitive RH outcomes?
• How can health system resilience to climate change be strengthened to ensure continuity of quality of services for maternal and RH?
• How does the social protection system enable prevention and response to GBV as climate related stresses on different social factors (livelihoods, security of place etc)?
• How preparedness and emergency response in emergencies could be strengthened to ensure continuity of services and protection of women and girls RH?
• How can the engagement on the climate agenda be part of a national coordinated response mechanism on women’s empowerment and protection from violence?
• How can we activate greater articulation between policies responses to CC and policies aimed at inclusive social development, including the social protection system, health services and education, among others?
• What innovations are being implemented in social protection systems or could be developed for integrating responses to CC (reduction of vulnerability, adaptation) in order to provide services to this population?

How do climate change adaptation efforts address gender-based vulnerability and what are the existing public policies and programmes that address gender and RH issues?

• How can stakeholders strengthen gender mainstreaming in the current Egypt National Climate Change Strategy?
• How do climate change adaptation efforts address gender-based vulnerability?

Answering the above and other questions that will be further elaborated during the research will help build the evidence base on the relationship between climate change, gender, SRHR, and GBV in Syria, and support UNFPA to design risk-mitigating interventions and best address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the resilience of women and girls. Evidence will also serve to inform gender-responsive preparedness and adaptation plans and ensure the equitable engagement and decision-making of women and girls throughout their development to inform the selection and implementation of project activities that best integrate climate change and gender-based related considerations.

Scope of the Research

1. Conduct a desk review of existing literature and develop specific research questions, a research methodology, and work plan

The desk review should draw upon using existing data, official information, statistical bulletins, grey literature and national reports, as well as reports produced by other UN agencies in similar areas of work. The literature reviewed should focus on the aspects named in the background section of this ToR, namely, gender and natural resource management, and linkages between climate change and harmful practices in the Daraa context.

The authors are encouraged to undertake independent analysis, information collection and review building on existing data and information. While this research will NOT collect primary data on gender- based violence, the Supplier must be familiar with, and articulate the use of, standard ethical and safety recommendations for researching GBV.

2. Carry out research in line with the agreed research methodology and develop an annotated outline: Research, which may take the form of qualitative or quantitative research building upon the literature reviewed, should be carried out in a participatory matter. All key findings should be presented in an annotated outline for the review of the Steering Committee.
3. Draft the full assessment report and facilitate peer review and validation: Lead the production of the full draft report, based on agreed zero drafts from the annotated outlines, contributions/inputs from partners and authors, and available data and information from credible sources. Draft will include the draft design of infographics (when necessary) and other visual presentations.

Validate the draft based on the research methodology agreed with the Steering Committee.

4. Finalize the assessment report in line with feedback from the Steering Committee and key partners

The final assessment report should be copy-edited in line with UN guidelines, and contain all design of infographics or visual presentations.

• The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Resilience Unit and in close cooperation with other thematic units.
• The UNFPA Syria Resilience Unit will be responsible for managing the overall implementation of this consultancy.

• Expected Travel:  The Consultant is expected to conduct two visits to Syria with a total of up-to 40 working days

Required Expertise and Qualifications

• A minimum of a Master’s degree or higher degree in Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Political Sciences, Development Studies, or Gender/Women’s Studies
• A minimum of five-year experience in the area of gender research and analysis, project design and implementation of field-based, institution building and policy programs, stakeholder consultations, gender monitoring and evaluation and mainstreaming including policy analysis and design of programmes that address gender equality issues. It is highly desirable that the candidate have previous experience in the Arab Region in General and in Syria context specifically.
• a minimum of 2-year experience in the area of climate change research and analysis. experience in conducting research on the impact of climate change on gender dynamics is strongly recommended.
• Strong research and writing skills (research design, data collection using a variety of methodologies, analysis and reporting). Ability to locate gender data, analyse data using simple statistics and translate findings into usable conclusions and recommendations.
• Skills in social research and statistics will be an added advantage
• Strong proficiency in oral and written English with excellent communication skills as demonstrated by an ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively. Proficiency in Arabic is a strong asset.
• Computer literate with competencies in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation and the use of the Internet.

Recommended

• Experience working with United Nations agencies.
• Experience in gender analysis and climate change.
• Experience working on the social dimensions of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Experience in performing similar work in the Region

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates can apply their CVs and Cover Letter to the email: hr.syria@unfpa.org

PS: The subject of the email must be the (Climate Change Consultant), otherwise, the email will not be considered to be reviewed.