Consultancy for conducting a scooping exercise of cooperatives, and establishing cooperatives in Red Sea State, Sudan

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality in the United Nations Charter, strives to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve gender equality in development, human rights, humanitarian action, peace, and security. By complementing and strengthening the efforts of other UN entities, UN Women aims to fulfill the broader mandate of gender equality.

Since 15 April 2023, conflict between Sudan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country, resulting in at least 14,700 deaths and nearly 30,000 injuries. Extensive fighting has displaced approximately one-third of the population—primarily women and children—and has left nearly half of Sudan’s 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Women and girls, in particular, face escalating threats to their safety and significant barriers to accessing essential services in conflict zones.

UN Women’s focus on livelihoods directly addresses Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis by helping women and their families become less dependent on aid and more capable of generating income. This approach strengthens their roles as decision-makers within IDP or host communities. However, recurring conflict, along with incidents of sexual and domestic violence, family illness or loss, and unemployment, can quickly destabilize women’s income-generating activities, depleting their resources. With limited economic opportunities while displaced, many women and girls are forced to take harmful measures to survive, risking violence and exploitation when collecting firewood in unsafe areas or exchanging sex for food to supplement inadequate humanitarian aid.

In Red Sea State, where 246,358 IDPs have been registered, the crisis is particularly severe. Women and IDPs face restricted access to essential goods and services due to rising prices and disrupted trade routes, exacerbating food insecurity and leaving many reliant on humanitarian aid. Sudan’s strained health sector, grappling with outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles, poses additional health risks, especially for IDPs in vulnerable areas like Red Sea State.

To address these challenges, UN Women is committed to empowering women through livelihood programs aimed at reducing aid dependency and enhancing resilience within IDP and host communities. This consultancy will play a key role in assessing the potential for cooperatives in Red Sea State, particularly by examining how informal groups led by women IDPs and other vulnerable populations can transition into formal cooperative structures, thereby promoting economic independence and resilience.

What is a Cooperative? 

This assignment shall apply the following definition of a cooperative: “A cooperative is defined by the International Co-operative Alliance and the International Labour Organization as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically- controlled enterprise. Cooperatives enter into agreements or raise capital on terms that ensure democratic control of their members. Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives, and inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Scope of the assignment: 

Under the supervision of the Gender in Humanitarian Action, Specialist, and in close collaboration with leads of women economic empowerment, women peace, and security thematic areas, the consultant will conduct a scooping exercise of cooperatives, including other member-based organizations engaged in various livelihoods activities for resilience building. S/he will explore the role and performance of such cooperatives/women membership groups (informal and formal) in Red Sea State. The scooping exercise will also Analyse the potential of informally formed groups of small businesses belonging/operated by women IDPs, and vulnerable women in host communities to coalesce into cooperatives. 

The overall objective of the consultancy is to undertake mapping of the cooperatives/informal and formal women groups; and build the capacity of the formal and informal women groups to function as cooperative organizations. The consultant will also provide support for creating a conducive regulatory environment for the cooperatives to function.

Specifically, the consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Identification of member-based organizations engaged in various livelihoods activities for resilience building; and explore the role and performance of such cooperatives/women membership groups (informal and formal) in Red Sea States.
• Analyse the potential of informally formed groups of small businesses belonging/operated by women IDPs, and vulnerable women in host communities to coalesce into cooperatives.
• Undertake analysis of relevant social and solidarity economy[1] organizations (e.g. cooperatives, social enterprises[2]) involved in the provision of livelihood opportunities to displaced populations.
• Undertake analysis of the relevance of the cooperatives and other similar organizations (as referred above) to the needs of their members, especially on how they contribute directly to their livelihoods.
• Identify major challenges that are specific to cooperatives, women’s economic groups, and other similar member-based organizations.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the cooperatives, groups, and other similar organizations in terms of leadership, membership, infrastructure, participation in the markets, and their economic viability;
• Assess whether cooperatives have access to financial services or provide financial services in the target areas;
• Identify and analyze skills gaps and specific training needs for cooperatives, groups, other similar organizations, and their support organizations.
• Assess the involvement of women IDPs within existing cooperatives or their own formed cooperatives following their displacement. Analyze whether women IDPs are allowed to join or establish a cooperative.
• Make recommendations as follows:
• The most quick and fast implementable cooperative model for women to establish considering the current context in Sudan.
• Different ways women can build resilience through livelihoods under the auspices of cooperative groups.
• Provide training to women on how to run a cooperative, including setting up governance structures, leadership, and management.

Deliverables

1. Scooping report covering existing cooperatives, including membership groups (formal and informal), women groups, etc.
2. Report on the formation of women’s cooperative groups
3. Training reports for cooperative members in the Red Sea State.

Timeline

The consultancy will be for 15 working days spread over a period of two months .

Payment schedule 

The consultant will be paid a daily professional fee to be agreed upon by both parties; and will be paid as follows:

1. A first payment of 10% following the submission, to the satisfaction of the UN Women, of the inception report, within a week after signing the contract.
2. A second payment of 40% following the submission, to the satisfaction of the UN Women, of the draft report-
3. A third (and last) payment of 50%, following the submission of the final report, to the satisfaction of the UN Women.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Required Qualifications, Experience, and skills:

Qualifications: 

Education and Certification:

• A master’s degree in social sciences or other relevant subjects.

Experience:

• Knowledge and awareness of the cooperative structure, legal framework, and operations in Kenya
• Knowledge and experience in working in Red Sea State.
• Specific knowledge of participatory research methods
• Good analytical skills, as well as the ability to elaborate high-quality research documents
• Familiarity with Kobo Tools box for data collection is an added advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Knowledge of the local languages of the target regions is an asset.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

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