Gender and Development Economist - UNWomen Bridgetown, Barbados

[Sharon Lamonth]

The Building Back Equal (BBE) project aims to enhance the resilience of women's livelihoods, particularly those who are most marginalized, such as survivors of violence against women (VAW) and elderly women, across Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project focuses on bolstering access to comprehensive social protection packages tailored to reduce unpaid care work burdens, alongside establishing reliable referral pathways inclusive of sexual and reproductive health services. Strengthening healthcare systems to ensure quality sexual and reproductive health services for women and youth is also a pivotal aspect of the project's strategy.

The project's theory of change hinges on the premise that by expanding access to subsidized childcare, reliable sexual and reproductive health services, climate and shock-responsive social protection, and opportunities for innovative financing and environmentally-friendly business practices, women, particularly the most marginalized, will achieve economic resilience. This resilience, in turn, is anticipated to enhance productivity and contribute to national development, thereby fostering a more equitable society. Under the auspices of UN Women, the project is structured to address critical areas such as childcare, eldercare, and care for persons with disabilities, while also examining gender dynamics within taxation policies to promote equality.

The Gender and Development Economist, operating under the supervision of UN Women, will spearhead two crucial studies: the Care Economy Study and the Gender, Taxation, and Equality Study. These studies aim to elucidate the nuances of care work, both paid and unpaid, and its economic impact, while also scrutinizing tax policies for their gender implications. By conducting comprehensive research and delivering actionable recommendations, these studies endeavor to inform policy decisions and foster dialogue among stakeholders, including policymakers, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, and private sector entities, to drive meaningful change towards gender equality and inclusive economic development in the target countries.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

 Care Economy Study

Document outlining study methodology and approach.

A multi-country research report which should provide the following:

• Analysis of the budgetary allocations and public expenditures on budgetary allocation and public expenditures on care services (childcare services for children ages 0 to 5; eldercare; and care for person with disabilities).
• Assessment of the capacity of care services to meet current and future demand.
• Assessment of the capacity of accessibility and affordability for care services.
• Analysis of the macroeconomic impact of current budgetary allocations and public expenditures on care services.

Further to the above, the report should also provide the following:

 Childcare:

• The fiscal cost of targeted child benefits for custodial parents inclusive of the following scenarios:
• Scenario 1: 100% of parents living in households at or below the poverty line
• Scenario 2: 70% of parents living in households at or below the poverty line
• Scenario 3: 50% of parents living at or below the poverty line
• The fiscal costs of universal child benefits for parents living in households which children ages 0 to 5.

 Eldercare and Persons with Disabilities:

• The fiscal costs of both targeted and universal benefits for eldercare and persons with disabilities.
• Finally, the report should include policy recommendations to boost public investment for the achievement of universal access to care services.
  
  The consultant will also be expected to prepare and present a Power point Presentation on Methodology and findings to the following in the 4 target countries.
  
  
• Applications are to be submitted via the UNDP Portal
• The consultancy will be home-based, with travel expected to the four target countries.
• The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 200 working days within the period, 1 August 2024 to 31 December 2025.