ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON RURAL WOMEN IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN THREE WEREDAS OF SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, AMHARA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE

1.     Background: MEDA/EMERTA Project

MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) is an organization dedicated to creating business solutions to poverty. MEDA’s EMERTA project (Ethiopians Motivating Enterprises to Rise in Trade and Agri-business), which is funded by Global Affairs Canada, is committed to increasing the income and employment opportunities for entrepreneurs and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) focusing on three value chains: rice, vegetables and gemstones with gender equality and environment sustainability are cross-cutting themes.

The project has an environmental sustainability strategy that is designed to encourage clients to adopt good environmental management practices and to protect natural resources for future use. MEDA designs activities to mitigate environmental and climate change risks associated with our work to ensure a do no harm approach to the environment, while supporting entrepreneurs in climate change adaptation and improving local environment conditions.

Similarly, the project has a gender equality strategy and focuses on mainstreaming gender into EMERTA activities and intervention to ensure that both men and women benefit from development outcomes. The project focuses on increasing women’s participation in economic opportunities and decision-making process in the household and community. This is done through various awareness raising events and training opportunities for women and men clients in the three value chains.

2.     The Task

In today’s world, climate change is one of the main challenges the world is facing. Studies show that in Ethiopia, climate change exacerbates the drought and flood cycle. Hence, wet become wetter and hot and dry areas become hotter and dryer. Thus, through this climate induced natural disaster, women are the first and most to be affected. In pursuit of this, MEDA is looking for a consultant to conduct research on the current changing climate and the vulnerability status of rural women farmers in Amhara Region, South Gondar Zone, three woredas: Fogera, Dera and Libokemkem.

Objective of the Consultancy

To assess the effect of climate change on vulnerability of women whose livelihood depends on agriculture

Specifically, the research should identify the major changes in weather patterns, assess the potential effects of climate change in the livelihood of women producers and measure the level of vulnerability of women in agriculture (producers of rice and vegetables particularly, but with a broader scope as needed); assess the level of demand of producers to participate in weather index-based or other types of crop insurance and the availability of insurance products in Ethiopia that helps to mitigate whether related small holder agricultural risks. The consultant should also identify and provide possible recommendations for climate adaptation and mitigation.

 Deliverables and Timeline

•  Draft report of the assessment to be delivered for MEDA
• Presentation of the report for project staff and concerned stakeholders
• Incorporate feedback and submit final report to MEDA

 Please Note that:

• Daily rates shall be the same for all the activities.
• Transportation expense, accommodation (hotel), and meals (as per MEDA perdiem rate) will be covered by MEDA.  

Venue and Date

The assessment will be conducted tentatively in February 2020

Presentation of the findings for project and concerned stakeholders will be held in Bahir Dar city (one day workshop)

The consultants must have:

• Qualifications in one of the following fields;

• BSc/MScs in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Climate Science, Rural Development and Agricultural Sciences or related fields
• BSc/MScs in Gender and Development, Developments Studies, Sociology or related fields

• Experience in socio -environmental studies;
• Practical experience of dealing with gender presentation, gender analysis, and mainstreaming in rural development and agriculture projects;
• Experience of working with grass roots people;
• Excellent communication, analytical and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent Amharic and English language skills.