Inclusive Legislatures for Gender-Responsive Policies International/Canadian Human Resources Consultant
Terms of Reference
Enhancing the capacities of Parliaments for gender inclusive human resources management and a respectful workplace – For Parliaments of Ghana, Togo and Kenya
LOCATION: Canada with possible travel to Ghana, Kenya, Togo
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 11, 2024
AREA OF EXPERTISE: Development and Implementation of Affirmative Action in HR Management and Respectful Workplace Policy including Prevention of Harassment, including Sexual Harassment
Project Overview:
Global Affairs Canada funded Inclusive Legislatures for Gender-Responsive Policies (ILGRP) project implemented in Ghana, Kenya and Togo aims at improving development outcomes and human rights. The project supports three partner parliaments and parliamentarians to consider the differential impacts of policies, laws, and budgets on the poorest and most marginalized populations, particularly women and girls. This project is a pioneer effort in providing support towards the strengthening of Parliaments on inclusiveness and gender equality issues. The implementing organizations are the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) and Parliamentary Centre (PC).
To facilitate this, the ILGRP project seeks an International/Canadian consultant to work in close collaboration with national consultants in the three project countries to provide consulting and advisory services in the adaptation of Canadian and International models to enhance gender sensitivity in the Workplace Culture, and strengthen gender equality in HR Management The successful candidate will work closely with the PC and ACEPA teams in the three project countries (Ghana, Togo, Kenya). The candidate needs to be:
- Experienced in Government of Canada practices in the areas of affirmative action and applying a gender lens in the HR management process to enhance recruitment and retention of women in the workplace.
- Familiarity with all domains of HR, usually as an Executive Advisor and planner. This involved supporting senior leadership in the initiatives and process changes required to advance the modernizing/progressive HR in the organization.
- Knowledgeable and/or experienced in the principles of Government of Canada and/or Parliament of Canada workplace culture policies such as Values and Ethics/Code of Conduct, Respectful Woorkplace (including Respect for People as a core value and Prevention of Harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and violence in the workplace) as well as, mental health in the workplace
- Fluent in both English and French (written and oral) to function effectively in a bilingual project
- Combined government work and consultant experience of at least 20 years in the areas of human resources management and organization development.
- Previous experience working in the Government of Canada in an HR and organization development management capacity with knowledge of HR and other organization policies and how to implement complex organization change, would be an asset.
- Experience as a consultant with strong ability and skills to work electronically, and with the analytical skills for implementing strategy by putting these into operations via toolkits, strong change management, development of workshops agendas and facilitation of dialogue, and development of draft policies and programs.
Objective of the activities:
As part of the implementation of the project a number of activities are planned to accelerate implementation of the following key areas as outlined in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2024-25 of ILGRP to meet the outcomes of this project. Aligned to the AWP the project has developed detailed work plans at the Output level that ensure complete coverage and alignment with the activities referenced in the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) for ILGRP:
- Output Plan #1 (Strategy) Participate as required by PC and ACEPA in ensuring a Gender Lens for initiatives within the Strategic Plans of Parliaments;
- Output Plan #2 (Operationalize Strategic Priorities for Gender Maintstreaming)
- Output Plan #3 (Operationalize changes to Services and HR Management of Parliament). This is to ensure an effective program of Gender Inclusion in all aspects of HR management and develop programs for HR priorities. This will also include developing a vision, framework and program for a Respectful, Inclusive and Healthy Workplace Culture and mechanisms to address the consequences of unacceptable behavior including Harassment, Bullying, etc
- Output Plan #4 (Participate as required in onboarding and workshops with Gender Champions in the three project countries regarding the development of the above program and promoting its practices)
- Output Plan # 7 (Support where needed in working with all three project countries as a Community of Practice to share experiences and best practices for:
- Women’s Caucus/Members of Parliament to develop a Respectful Workplace and mechanisms to prevent and address unacceptable behaviours including harassment and bullying between Members of Parliament, their staff and employees within the Parliamentary Administration.
- Human Resources Professionals within the Parliament Administrations to apply a gender lens for each process in HR management.
Scope of Work and Deliverables:
The Canadian/international HR consultant(s) will work in close collaboration with ACEPA and the National Consultants in the three project countries, and with PC Office in Canada specifically on services/deliverables as described below.
The consultant is expected to initially carry out the work primarily for the implementation of Output Plan #3 (Operationalize HR Management and Respectful Workplace of Parliament). This is to ensure a program of Gender Inclusion in HR management and the development of a vision and program framework for a Respectful, Inclusive and Healthy Workplace Culture. This will involve the consultant being the lead in HR management and supporting, as required the work in Respectful Workplace and other output plans developed below.
For HR Management:
- Leads the development and adaptation of best gender inclusive HR practices to the country context and the unique nature of Parliaments and their administrations.
- Works with the HR Working Group established within the three country Parliaments to close gaps in human resources management processes for gender inclusion (identified from previous HR assessments in all three countries). The Working Group will be HR managers/professionals from the HR Unit, as well as other functional areas within Parliament and the administration
- Obtains/applies best practices from Canadian and International jurisdictions (including the federal government and Parliament) for ensuring Affirmative Action and application of a gender lens for all HR policies and procedures in the human resources management cycle.
- Collaborates with the national consultant(s) in each country on the design of policies and practices for gender inclusive HR policy and processes
- Co-Creates with the Working Group and National Consultants to adapt and develop a required action plan and toolkit for ensuring effective integration in HR processes of Affirmative Action.
- Assists in the review of existing legislation to ensure any proposed policies or new HR strategies proposed align with existing legislation or require recommendations for change as a long-term measure.
- With the Gender Specialist, develop a Community of Practice for HR leaders/practitioners in the three country Parliaments (program of discussions to share best practices and developments, and supports development of required materials for facilitation and reporting on key meetings).
For Respectful Workplace, as required:
- Works with other Canadian and National Consultants in the design of workshops for the Respectful Workplace Working Group established within the Parliament and provides advice on facilitation approaches for both in-person and virtual meetings to ensure full, inclusive and culturally sensitive participation by all participants selected in workshops
- Co-Facilitates meetings, with the Working Group established within Parliament to develop a framework which includes Vision, Outcomes, Program Structure, Governance of process, tools, and change management requirements for Respectful Workplace and Prevention of Disrespectful behaviours.
Other
- For Output Plan #4 (Participate as required in onboarding and workshops with Gender Champions in the three project countries regarding the above tools and practices)
- For Output Plan #11 (Participates as required with the Gender Specialists in meetings of the Community of Practice (Woman’s Caucus/Female MPs) on selected topics which may include the development for Members of Parliament: Respectful Workplace and Anti-Harassment Code of Conduct
Outputs and Deliverables:
- Collaboration with PC, ACEPA and national consultant(s) on the design and delivery of the sessions with the HR Working Group.
- Collaboration with PC, ACEPA and national consultant(s) on the design and delivery of the sessions with the Respectful Workplace Working Group.
- Facilitation materials with agendas and summary of results and actions
- Best practice materials on applying a gender lens on HR Management
- Development of tools, models checklists, programs, policies and practices adapted to the country context
- Contribution to reports, programs and policies
Duration of assignment and Level of Effort:
The consultant is expected to devote up to 50 days over three months (starting November 1 to January 31, 2024). Should the consultant be involved or required to participate in training activities or the development of the online platform of the project, these will be separately identified in time tracking.
Qualifications and experience:
- University Degree with HR designations
- Prior experience in the design and implementation of Government of Canada’s Human Resources Management policies and programs including affirmative action, inclusion, as well as, knowledge and/or experience in Values and Ethics/Code of Conduct and respectful workplace programs and policies such as Anti-Harassment and Mental Health in the Workplace.
- Developing engagement approaches, including conducting workshop facilitation/training/train the trainer with senior level stakeholders
- Proven communication skills (oral and written) in both English and French
Skills/Knowledge:
- Fluent in french and english with strong writing and communication skills;
- Ability to have dialogue sessions with senior management/executives and Members of Parliament in a manner which is also empathetic and culturally sensitive
- Ability to analyze and synthesize results of dialogue sessions and working groups;
- Meet commitments but recognize that flexibility is required as the work of Parliament may at times delay progress in scheduled work;
- Capacity for innovation;
- Good team spirit;
- Sense of responsibility;
- Assume all responsibilities and honor commitments;
- Compliance with Parliamentary Center policies (Accountability and Safeguarding • Parliamentary Centre (parlcent.org) ensuring an open and respectful workplace where honesty and integrity are observed by our employees, board of directors, partners and vendors and all those with whom we engage. This requires high standards of ethics in every aspect of our conduct in Canada and abroad.professional technical standards and quality;
- Be immediately available.
Application file: Applications must include:
- A letter of application addressed to Parliamentary Centre;
- An updated copy of curriculum vitae (CV);
- A financial offer (daily rate);
Note: The International/Canadian consultant will work closely and collaboratively with the Director, Africa and MENA, Parliamentary Centre (PC) and ACEPA ILGRP Teams in Ghana, Kenya and Togo, as well as national consultants in those countries. Everyone will leverage their respective expertise and experiences to achieve the project objectives. Regular communication, coordination, and knowledge-sharing between the consultant, PC and ACEPA are essential for the successful implementation of the project.
Applications must be sent by email with the mention ‘’OFFER-ILGRP-Activities – Implementation Consultant”
The application file must be sent no later than October 11, 2024 at 17:00 EST to the following address: mdomagalski@parlcent.org . If you have any questions, please send an email to mdomagalski@parlcent.org.