Consultancy to support Economic Empowerment Programming in the Business Incubator Unit within the Ministry of Human Services & Social Security - Spotlight Initiative Guyana

THE UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)

Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean/Guyana invites applications from suitably qualified individuals from the Caribbean

Purpose of Consultancy

To support the Business Incubator Unit of the Ministry of Human Services & Social Security in strengthening its economic empowerment programming that targets vulnerable women and girls seeking to develop or expand their own businesses. 

Background

Supporting women’s and adolescent girls’ access to and control over economic resources can be an effective means to enhance resilience, reduce vulnerability, mitigate the risk of GBV, and help ensure that the needs of women, girls and their families are met. Access to education, vocational training and skills development can promote self-sufficiency, empowerment and resilience. Economic empowerment programmes also can help shift negative gender and social norms that confine women to the domestic sphere, build women’s agency and participation in public life, and enhance the economic, physical and psychological well-being of individuals, families and communities.  Economic empowerment also plays a crucial role in a GBV survivor’s ability to gain the independence needed to assist them in escaping their situation and rebuilding their life. 

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security remains committed to the empowerment of women through its various programmes such as its WiiN (Women's Innovation and Investment Network) initiative. WiiN aims to improve the education and skillset of our most vulnerable women in communities across the country to increase their opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. To support the work of the WiiN programme, the Ministry launched its first business Incubator in August 2021. The incubator aims to assist women entrepreneurs in starting or expanding their businesses, and will provide services such as business plan development, access of financing for businesses, and marketing services/products, among others. The Ministry understands that economic instability and poverty are among some of the main reasons that women stay in these violent relationships. As such, it is essential that women be given the opportunity to develop their own businesses and become financially independent. An Economic Empowerment Consultant is therefore needed to work within the Business Incubator Unit of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.  
 

Scope of work – inter alia

Scope of work – inter alia

The Consultant engaged will be expected to undertake the following tasks (in support of the Business Incubator Unit within the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security): 

1. To plan, guide implementation, monitor and provide oversight of the economic empowerment programme of the business incubator within the Ministry, while  ensuring that the economic empowerment programme of the business incubator functions in accordance with the GBV Guiding Principles, inclusive of the Survivor Centered Approach and the Do No Harm Principle and international best practices.
2. To support the Ministry in ensuring that the economic empowerment program of the business incubator within the Ministry adequately guides women and girls who participate in the programme in starting their own business or expanding their current business through the provision of support in developing a business plan, accessing financing for their business, marketing their services/products as well as any other assistance they may need to expand/start their business. 
3. To support the Ministry in ensuring that the economic empowerment program of the business incubator within the Ministry adequately builds the capacity of women and girls involved in the economic empowerment programme to  enhance their knowledge and skills     base for save avenues for generating income, microenterprises, financial management, natural resource management and leadership; to aid the ability of women and girls to  leave abusive relationships. 
4. Monitor the programme  to ensure that the interventions consider risks to women and girls before, during and after the programme, in order to mitigate potential harm to participants. The consultant should actively monitor both positive and negative unintended consequences of the programme and be able to identify any challenges those involved in programme may be faced with so that assistance can be given to them in overcoming such challenges while improving the programme.  
5. Support Ministry personnel working on the Ministry’s economic empowerment programme to ensure they follow guidelines and implement the programme in line with the survivor centred approach. 
    

To apply, kindly submit application letter and CV to:

Vacancy #: 2022/GUY/EE-IC [Re-advertisement]

The Spotlight Initiative

14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston

Email:  guyana.office@unfpa.org

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note:

• There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. 
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. 
• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.