1. Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (ZCRA) GESI Analysis and GESI Strategy

1. 1. Background

Pakistan is the eighth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021. The Z Zurich Foundation-fundedZurich Climate Resilience Alliance (ZCRA) programme anticipates that communities will be better equipped to anticipate, adapt to, andaddress the risks and opportunities posed by climate hazards, including floods and heatwaves. The expected impact of the climate resilience component is the "increased capacity of at-risk, climate-vulnerable households and communities to anticipate, adapt to, and absorb the impact of shocks and stresses induced by climate change and natural disasters (including measurable changes in gender roles and social inclusion)."

The ZCRA programme is implemented in the two districts of Shaheed Benazirabad (SBA) and Matiari in Sindh Province through Sami Foundation (Concern's local NGO partner). Local communities will be involved in the identification of their multi-hazards and risks, employing anticipatory actions, participatory analysis, and climate-induced disaster management planning, and implementingappropriate climate risk reduction and resilience measures in coordination with the knowledge hub.

1. Purpose

The purpose of the GESI Analysis is to understand how gender and intersecting social identities including age, disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, geographical location and other context-specific characteristics influence climate vulnerability, climate resilience, access to resources, participation, decision-making and programme outcomes within the ZCRA Programme districts Matiari and Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh. The analysis will generate evidence-based recommendations in the form of GESI strategy to ensure programme interventions promote equality, inclusion and equitable outcomes while avoiding unintended harm. 

2. Objectives

The objectives of the GESI analysis include:

• Analyse gender roles and intersecting inequalities influencing climate resilience and livelihoods. 

• Examine how women, men, girls, boys and marginalised groups access and control resources, services and information. 

• Assess participation and decision-making at household, community and institutional levels. 

• Identify barriers, risks, discrimination and exclusion affecting different groups. 

• Identify practical and strategic opportunities to strengthen equality throughout programme implementation. 

• Produce actionable recommendations for integrating GESI across programme design, implementation, monitoring and learning. 

3. Scope of Work

The overall scope of work would be to:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of programme documents (including CRMC data, policy research on inclusive climate governance in Sindh, other project documents (Climate Resilience Measurement for Communities – CRMC, Inclusion research and existing policies’ analysis where needed) 

• Identify evidence, gaps requiring primary data collection. 

• Develop methodology and research tools. 

• Conduct an intersectional GESI Analysis using qualitative mixed methods. 

• Validate findings with Concern and partners. 

• Prepare a final ZCRA GESI Analysis Report 

• Prepare a ZCRA GESI strategy based on findings from GESI Analysis and present to Concern 

5. Research Questions

1. What gender and social inequalities influence climate resilience and adaptive capacity in the ZCRA target districts? 

2. What barriers and enabling factors affect equitable access to programme resources, services and information? 

3. What protection, safeguarding and exclusion risks should the programme address? 

4. What programme adaptations are required to improve equality outcomes? 

The GESI analysis will use the framework of Concern's four Equality Analysis domains to answer the identified research questions:

Domain 1: Gender Roles and Responsibilities: Division of labour, Care responsibilities, Livelihood roles, Mobility, Social norms 

Domain 2: Access to and Control over Resources, Services and Information: Land, Assets, Agricultural inputs, Financial services, Climate information, Early warning systems, Technologies, Extension services. 

Domain 3: Participation and Decision-making: Household decision-making, Community governance, Disaster management committees, Producer groups, Women's leadership, Participation of persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups 

Domain 4: Risks, Safety and Violence: Protection concerns, GBV risks, Climate-related protection risks, Safeguarding, Social exclusion, Programme-related risks 

The analysis will assess domains across Individual, Household and Community levels, and will take into account Institutional, Formal systems (laws, policies) as well as Informal systems (social norms), as relevant. 

7. Methodology

An intersectional mixed-methods approach including:

• Desk review 

• Key Informant Interviews 

• Focus Group Discussions 

• Community mapping and participatory tools where appropriate 

• Observation 

• Validation workshop 

Data would be disaggregated by gender, taking into account differences in age, disability, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, geographic location and other relevant identities. 

8. Stakeholders

The data would be gathered from Women, Men, Adolescent girls and boys, Older persons, PWDs/ Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, Women's organisations, Community leaders from ZCRA targeted villages, relevant district and provincial Government departments, Project staff, Relevant NGOs and UN agencies. 

9. Ethical Considerations: Informed consent, confidentiality, Do No Harm, safeguarding and protection standards, accessible and inclusive data collection, safe referral pathways, appropriate handling of sensitive, data protection and privacy would be ensured. 

10. Deliverables

The main outcome of the assignment include the GESI analysis and GESI strategy for ZCRA after desk review, data collection from field and stakeholder consultations. The GESI analysis will inform the development of GESI strategy for the programme.:

1. Review of existing relevant data by Concern Worldwide (CWW)

2. GESI Analysis Framework and research tools by CWW

3. Fieldwork and stakeholder consultations by CWW and partner staff

4. Data Analysis plan, Carry out data analysis and overall workplan for GESI analysis report and GESI strategy document by consultant 

5. Draft ZCRA GESI Analysis Report by consultant

6. An online validation workshop by consultant 

7. Final ZCRA GESI Analysis Report incorporating feedback from CWW. 

8. ZCRA GESI Strategy based on findings from GESI Analysis

CWW is aiming to conclude the assignment by September 30, 2026. 

11. Timeline:

Note: The consultant will be responsible for the highlighted tasks only and it is mainly remote role).  

• The specific timelines for each output are as follows

12. Lines of Communication

The consultant will report to Concern Sr. Technical Advisor GESI in close coordination with and Snr Technical Advisor Livelihoods and Programme Director to complete the tasks. 

13. Essential Qualifications and Desirable Experience 

Concern Worldwide is seeking an experienced consultant(s) with the following expertise:

• At a minimum 4 years professional level experience in GESI analysis and GESI strategy  development in the context of climate change.

• Minimum postgraduate level education in gender studies/social studies/climate change,  

• Experience in conducting qualitative data analysis skills/experience, producing GESI analysis, GESI Strategy & Action plan for Non-profit organizations, preferably in Sindh province of Pakistan. 

• Experience of conducting GESI analysis, GESI Strategy & Action plan for Non-profit organizations, preferably in Sindh province of Pakistan. 

• Strong communication and reporting skills.

• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.

• Working experience with Concern would be an advantage. 

• Ensure safeguarding of the people engaged from community during this assignment Concern Code of Conduct (CCoC) and Associated Policies

How to apply: 

Interested Consultant is requested to submit technical proposalsonly by 1200 hrs August 10, 2026 at Concern Pakistan, Plot#144, Street #30, I&T Centre, Sector G-9/1, Islamabad along with one relevant sample document each for GESI analysis and GESI Strategy and Action Plan. Women headed consulting firms/teams/ individual consultants are encouraged to apply. Financial proposals will only be requested from short listed consultants. 

Note: 

• The Evaluation committee reserves the right to change the quantities or cancel/reject any or all offers without assigning any reason. 

• Please make sure that you have submitted self-declaration (attachment available) of previous criminal conviction along with technical proposal as part of the application process. 

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a consultancy opportunity with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their consultancy contract. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to do consultancy work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, being hired as a consultant with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.