West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) is looking for a Short Term National Consultant.

Background
Established in 1999, West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) is a voluntary, rural based women’s association, covering the southern part of Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. WARA supports the promotion of self-reliance, economic empowerment and leadership for rural women and girls through access to savings and loan schemes, and skills and knowledge development initiatives across a diverse range of subjects pivotal to women’s transformation.

WARA also engages with the Are’Are Arahana Traditional leadership through its House of Chiefs (HOCs) networks and activities to chart and foster positive development

Scope of work
In West Are’Are, WARA aims to economically empower women and communities to better cope with increasing financial pressures.

The consultant is expected to evaluate the existing and future plans of the current network provides such as “Our Telekom, Bemoblie, Satsol, SI submarine cables company (SISCC)and the Ministry of Aviation on any new network entrants in the country. The consultant is expected to concentrate in the Malaita region especially the west Are’Are constituency. Besides, the consultant is expected to consult with other possible stakeholder like the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), the National Provident Fund (NPF) U Save team as well as the Our Telekom on their partnership with CBSI on the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program with the United Nation Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Part A.
The consultant will undertake a desktop evidence-based market analysis: This will be divided into:
a) Review of the current infrastructure both hardware and softare
b) Review the internal and external infrastructure.

Part B.
This initial desk top analysis will be supported by a field visit to West ‘Are ‘Are (Mareho ward and Tai wards) by the consultant who will:

a) share the findings of the desk review with all West Are’Are focus groups /interviews and get documentary comments feedbacks.
b) Assess household interests in current technology platforms and their access and capacity to do so given the skills within the community and local distribution network.
c) Assess the interests of focus groups /interviews in establishing producer groups or cooperatives and comments on pros/cons of the digital platform.

Travel will be coordinated by the WARA office and a WARA member will accompany the consultant at all times.

Part C.
The consultant will develop and:

a) compile a summary report of the field visits
b) Present a series of feasible digital platform recommendations for women/families in West ‘Are ‘Are including a cost benefit analysis of each option, specifically on what is realistic for WARA members in terms of their own capabilities, service availability, resource’s and time, versus the demands of roles and responsibilities involved.
c) Perform a SWOT analysis of each proposed recommendations.
d) Send the report to WARA members and Kotui Project team for their review/feedback.
e) Incorporate all comments into a final report which makes specific recommendations for digital platform for women empowerment in West ‘Are ‘Are and present to WARA.

Resources and Timeframe
In total, 36 days will be allocated for this assignment, and it will be implemented in September/October 2023. The rate of approx. SBD1400/day which include some out of pocketexpenses. The consultant is expected to use her/his own laptop for this assignment.

Submission and Closing date

1) A detailed curriculum vitae outlining your qualifications and professional experiences,
2) A statement on how you will address the requirements of this assignment,
3) A post graduate qualification in IT information, other social Media or another relevant field with 4 years of professional experience, or a bachelor in IT with a minimum of five (6) years
of professional experience in the e-commerce sector in the Solomon Islands
4) Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written English, and also Pijin.
5) Evidence of past experiences in similar work with demonstrated skills in conducting consultations especially in rural communities.
6) The candidate should be self-motivated, dynamic and able to relate to work well with local communities.
7) The candidate demonstrates the ability to collect, analyse data and report.
8) The consultant demonstrates the ability to meet set deadlines and deliver results.
9) Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Closing date for interested bidders is 25 th August, 2023, at 4 pm. You may contact our office for the copy of the ToR, or submit your interest in hard or soft copy to WARA Project Manager, Christina on 7222489 or email: xtinapaeni@gmail.com or Lois on 7222489 or email: auaririloise@gmail.com.