Vacancy Business & Women Empowerment Mabutsane, Botswana Project description Background of the project: Mana is a national Non-profit Development Organization registered year 2001. The development work is rooted in a commitment to fight alongside the poor in a collective process that supports people to make changes, improve their lives and solve their problems. The organization’s projects utilize systematic grassroots approaches, empowering people with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to foster sustainable long-term development. The organization worked directly with 150.000 beneficiaries during 2014 through 150 staff members. Mana has built a strong network of community support among local authorities all over the country, health agencies, business leaders, local entities, and the central government. The project intends to implement (and also enhance the capacities of Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) to effectively implement programmes and advocacy initiatives) to foster women empowerment in 9 villages of Mabutsane Sub District, directly benefiting female and male members of the Bakgalagadi tribe. It will assist in addressing the challenges faced by females in Botswana, and by minority tribe members in particular, as well as to highlight the need and relevance of the proposed action within the country’s strategic priorities and development needs. The proposed project will not only build on and boost existing legal frameworks, it will also take advantage on public structures vast experience on HIV programming, such as the Village Development Committees (VDC), District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committees (DMSAC), National Aids Council (NAC), and will tap on CSOs and FBOs expertise. Problem Statement: The Botswana National Gender Based Violence Indicator Study, gender based violence (GBV) is prominent throughout the country; a key factor to take into consideration is the existence of entrenched cultural practices adverse to women which have had a great influence over gender norms development. Gender norms and poverty are the main causes and driver of GBV and The SADC Gender Barometer, most women in Botswana are occupied in precarious and informal employment, showing their high levels of poverty and making them more vulnerable to GBV and other social ills including HIV. In addition, GBV survivors face difficulties when seeking help from law enforcement agencies and health facilities due to the inefficiency of services offered and/or due to fear of further victimization. Women and girls in Botswana are also faced with continued violation of their rights in their homes and public places. Research shows that violations towards the rights General project information Project name: Reducing women’s vulnerability through income generating activities and enhancing empowerment in Mabutsane Sub district, Botswana. Project type (practical/research/policy): Research mixed with practical activities in community socio-economic empowerment Intended for interns from following study fields: Business, Management, Small business Total project duration: ongoing Preferred starting period: a.s.a.p. Number of students required: 1 of women are increasing but these abuses remain largely unreported. Statistics on sexual and GBV prevalence in Botswana are startling despite government commitment to end GBV. Botswana’s GBV Study shows that 1.2% of women reported GBV cases to the police yet over 67% of women have experienced some form of gender violence in their lifetime. 29% of women experienced Intimate Partner Violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. Most of cases reported occurred within intimate relationships with 62% of women affected and 48% of men admitting perpetrating partner violence. However, the GBV prevalence shown in the survey is 24 times higher than reported to the police. Similarly, 11.4% women and 10.7% men reported experiencing or perpetrating non-partner rape respectively. Botswana’s government is directing its efforts to reduce poverty through the Affirmative Action Framework for Remote Areas Communities (2013) and there has been a relative success rate. The portion of individuals living below Botswana’s Poverty Datum Line (PDL) decreased from 30.6% in 2002/3 to 20.7% in 2009/101 although, 20% still live in poverty and significantly 40% of total rural income is transferred by relatives and government support. Goal: The project targets the poor, marginalized and vulnerable women into GROW savings groups (Grassroots building Our Wealth), (a PCI/USAID Economic empowerment initiative), and helping them realize and explore their potential through continual support. It instills gradual changes in attitudes and enabling them to plan and act together to transform lives. It involves all the members of the groups in running and deciding upon group activities. They agree on own micro-saving schemes and formation of income generation activities. They also save social funds to assist members at times of need. The project shall enhance women’s influence at household level in the most vulnerable communities of Botswana and sustainably improve livelihoods among marginalised women in Botswana. This shall be achieved by increasing income-generating opportunities for women’s socio- economic empowerment in Mabutsane Sub-district. Role of the intern: The Intern shall provide expertise in making baseline and end of program research and capacity- building of both project staff and target groups and this shall the following specific duties: Training/ Development Needs Assessment for all the communities under the program Training of Trainers for project staff and community leaders in savings, financial skills and micro- credit systems Training in micro-business management skills Development of collective and simplified business plans Development and training of use of record books Training of target groups on the use of technology such as mobile phone accounting Supporting project staff and community leaders in data collection, analysis, monitoring and evaluation Supporting project staff and community leaders in reporting Supporting the GROW savings groups in any other way Supporting the project in any other tasks Specific activities and Outputs: R1 - 30 GROW savings groups are established and economic initiatives are created by 300 women Achievement of this result will be measured by: 300 disadvantaged women enrol in GROW groups and 30 groups are established; Kick-off of 20 business initiatives from GROW groups of which 70% are operative for 6 months or longer; 30% of Members are active borrowers from GROW groups. Organise community information sessions on GROW Methodology: Result 2, Activities: 200 Women are trained on leadership skills and management of income generating initiatives. Achievement of this result will be measured by: 95% retention rate of GROW group; 80% of women are satisfied with GROW group activities; 200 women are able to demonstrate comprehension of key concepts in training curriculum; 50% reduction of GBV cases for women targeted, and; 100 men in target area counselled on their GBV behaviour. Provide seminars on life skills, leadership, conflict and business management: Facilitate trainings on business registration and bank account handling Male and female partners amongst target group assisted by counselling to end gender based violence: Create a manual for FBO’s, CBO’s and NGO’s on how to establish community sustainable businesses: Facilitators collect success/ challenges stories from beneficiaries throughout the life span of the project: Result 3 Activities: Supportive environment of the promotion of women’s rights at community level is created: Achievement of this result will be measured by: 20 paralegals have been trained, 50% of whom are women and 50% local leaders; A District Focal Point for gender and human rights is designated; 450 men show an increased understanding and support for women’s rights; paralegals have assisted 100 people to know their rights and legal proceedings by the end of project; Representatives of Local and district authorities participate in roundtables to provide recommendations to improve women’s situation in Mabutsane; A manual on how to establish sustainable community businesses is developed. Capacitation of districts paralegals Bi-weekly visits to high-risk GROW members’ households Organise meetings with local businesses Coordinate meetings with representatives from the Dept. of Gender Radio Broad casting of Grow Success stories Media event to exhibit GROW products and skills Result 4 Activities: Strengthening positive attitudes of relevant stakeholders at national level in addressing women’s issues. Achievement of this result will be measured by: An informal Network of paralegals of local CBO’s and FBO’s is created; Data is compiled and a case study on the situation of women in Mabutsane Sub District is developed; Engagement with media outlets at district and national level; A documentary on the efficacy and impact of GROW is produced to promote project visibility. Training and appointment of District Focal Point on human rights and gender equality in the sub- district of Mabutsane. Bi-annual reports on women’s situation in Mabutsane to the BONELA Network Production of an evidence-based case study Mana, DITSHWANELO and BONELA participate in meetings with representatives from the Department of Social & Community Development and The Dept. of Gender Affairs to present project findings and recommendations and influence political agenda Disseminate media briefs on project findings and impact stories through media outlets Produce a Documentary (video) Measurable end product (report/advice/development/product): The project shall use and produce the following products/ reports and documents: 1. Create a manual for FBO’s, CBO’s and NGO’s on how to establish community sustainable businesses 2. Compilation of Data for Project Results, Monitoring and Evaluation 3. Annual Assessment and Impact Evaluation Reports 4. Household surveys Reports 5. Final Project Report 6. Meetings logs and minutes 7. Annual Assessments and Impact Evaluation 8. Facilitators’ Progress Reports 9. Household Surveys / Interviews/ Perception Surveys 10. Case Studies and Best Practices Facilities for intern Supervision on appropriate project field: The Intern shall be incorporated into the current Mana Mabutsane project staff and will comply with staff, management and reporting structures. They shall work directly under the Project Leader (Mabutsane) with Head Office supervision from the Senior Programs Manager and Country Director. Degree of Supervisor: The Intern shall be directly supervised by the Project Leader for the area but will be given room to work more creative and innovative to address the need of the project beneficiaries. She/he shall however be asked to adhere to Mana management and project principles as well as government regulations and donor guidelines. Workspace for Intern: The Intern shall share the office space at the project office in Mabutsane (a rural village) according to the demands of their jobs. Simple Office facilities shall be provided for their use accordingly as it shall be arranged from time to time by the management. The office has running water, electricity and internet connection most of the time (water and internet can fail more often). Introduction and Guidance during Project: The Intern shall be given proper introduction and guidance of the project and its key stakeholders to set a good platform for them to start their work. Accommodation Options: The Intern shall cover his/her own costs as agreed in the contract of placement. Mabutsane will be helpful to find a room that the intern can rent. Intern requirements Intern characteristics/qualities: Having the right attitude to work with the poor as an respectful and humble equal amongst all Highly creative and Innovative to adapt training and project tools to the local environment and needs Ability to learn and adjust to a rural Africa environment Ability to train people in basic and simplified content and participatory methodologies Ability to systematically collect, analyse and present data as well as report writing Self awareness and cross-cultural sensitivity Commitment to sharing knowledge and skills Flexibility and adaptability Resilience and ability to manage stress Fully self funded or reimbursement for accommodation & transport: The Intern shall be fully self funded besides transportation The project shall pay for agreed upon transport to other villages The organisation shall pay transport if the intern is called upon to work for a short period any other place in the country. Other criteria/selection procedure: The Intern must have finalised all placement contractual and placement agreements and logistics which also suits the Mana employment and volunteering guidelines. The intern must have a work permit. Role Let’s Go Africa * Assists with all preparation and organisational support for the internship * Matches vacancy with intern’s personal and University criteria * Publishes vacancy on the online internship board of different Universities in the Netherlands * Sends intern’s CV to the partner and does personal screening of candidates * Ensures accommodation costs are transferred to accommodation owners beforehand Roel van Hout (MA) General/Programme Manager Let’s Go (Southern) Africa T +31 (0)6 45197822 W www.letsgoafrica.nl E roel@letsgoafrica.nl Office address: Korhoenderveld 44 5431 HH Cuijk Chamber of Commerce: 60323310 BIC: INGBNL2A • IBAN: NL23 INGB 0006 3799 75 Visit our website| Like us on Facebook