Gender Impact Assessment Consultant

Terms of Reference – Gender Impact Assessment

Climate Resilient by Nature Project

WWF – Greater Mekong seeks National Consultant(s) in Lao PDR to conduct the end of project Gender Impact Assessment. Consultants may apply as individuals or teams.

Location: Lao PDR with travel to project sites in Khong district, Champasak.

Start Date: August 2025

Total Working Days: 20 days

Deliverables: See Schedule Below

1. Background

Climate Resilient by Nature (CRxN) is an Australian Government initiative, in partnership with WWF-Australia, advancing high-integrity, equitable nature-based solutions to climate change in the Indo-Pacific. This project is funded under Component 1 of Climate Resilient by Nature (CRxN), supporting the expansion of existing nature-based solutions approaches. The Mekong-Australia Partnership – Water, Energy & Climate (MAP-WEC) funds this project.

Launched in 2021 and concluding in December 2025, it supports projects that work with communities to restore and protect critical ecosystems, build sustainable livelihoods and increase resilience to climate shocks.

2. Objectives

The objective of the Gender Impact Assessment is to evaluate the extent to which GEDSI objectives have been achieved specifically within CRxN project sites in Laos, as well as to assess the GEDSI-related outcomes, lessons learned, and remaining challenges. The findings will inform future programming and contribute to organizational learning.

The specific objectives of the assessment are to:

• Assess the effectiveness of GEDSI integration in project design, implementation, and monitoring
• Examine changes in GEDSI relations, roles, and power dynamics within the target communities as a result of project interventions
• Evaluate the impact of project activities on women’s, men’s, and marginalized persons access to and control over resources, decision-making, and participation
• Identify best practices, lessons learned, and areas for improvement in GEDSI programming
• Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen GEDSI integration for future interventions and phases

3. Roles & Responsibilities

The Consultant(s) will work under the supervision of the CRxN Programme Manager, WWF-Asia Pacific Senior Gender and Inclusive Conservation Advisor, and in close coordination with Country Office Teams, to fulfill the following tasks:

• Review relevant background and supporting materials provided by WWF staff
• Familiarize themselves with data collection tools and approaches
• Administer and Facilitate Surveys, Interviews and Focus Group Discussions in the project sample sites
• Clean, code and analyze qualitative and quantitative data
• Provide a written report in English (not exceeding 15 pages, excluding Annexes).

4. Approach & Methodology

The Gender Impact Assessment will be conducted through a review of relevant project documents, including reports and case studies, and primary data collection. Data collection tools will be provided by WWF.

The consultant will apply a mixed-methods, community-based, participatory research approach using the following tools and techniques:

Stratified Sampling: A total sample size of 202 individuals across six (6) target villages in Khong District.

Primary Data Collection:

• Individual Interviews (disaggregated by gender and inclusion criteria)
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with community leaders, government officials, and implementing staff (WWF) and CSO partners.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with targeted stakeholder groups, including: Village Development Fund and Fish Conservation Zones

Secondary Data Review: Existing project documents, progress reports, GEDSI strategies, and previous assessments.

Tools: Kobo Toolbox (preferred); survey templates and guidance to be provided by WWF.

All data collection will be conducted in person at the project sites. WWF will arrange all permissions, logistics, and in-country travel requirements.

5. Schedule of Deliverables
Deliverables                                                                                              # Day
1. Inception meeting and finalization of workplan                                  0.5
2. Document review and familiarization                                                   1.5
3. Methodology review and finalization with WWF (tools, sampling
strategy)                                                                                                          1
4. Field data collection in 6 targeted villages (travel and interviews,
FGD, KII)                                                                                                           7.5
5. Data coding and cleaning                                                                         2
6. Data analysis and synthesis                                                                     2.5
7. Draft report preparation                                                                          2.5
8. Presentation of key findings to WWF team                                           0.5
9. Feedback integration and final report submission                              2
Total Working Days 20

Submission of Final Report: No later than September 30th 2025

6. Qualifications & Experience Required

• Fluent in English and Lao- both written and oral
• Advanced education in Gender Studies, International Development, Community Development or a related field
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting community-based research
• Demonstrated expertise in data collection and analysis, familiarity with Kobo an advantage
• Comprehensive understanding of gender, disability and social inclusion at the institutional, policy and programmatic levels
• Previous experience in conservation, climate change, and/or Nature Based Solutions projects an asset
• Advanced analytical, report writing skills, and working familiarity with participatory/rights-based approaches
• Proven experience within the Country Context of application
• Ability to work independently within a tight deadline and produce quality results on schedule

Applicant(s) should provide the following in PDF:

• CV and Letter of Intent addressing Qualifications and Experience Required (above).
• Proposed Daily Rate*.
• Sample of previous relevant work (max 10 pages submitted as a single PDF or web link).

*For team applications please submit as a complete daily rate, not per person.

7. Terms and conditions of payment

Payment will be made upon successful submission of the above deliverables according to the schedule. No advance or partial payments will be made.

The Consultant is subject to tax under the national policy in addition to tax requirements in their country of residence.

8. Equal Employment Opportunity

WWF is committed to diversity in our work and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment. We strongly encourage applicants from marginalized and diverse backgrounds to apply.

Applications should be submitted to Toulor.xiamai@wwf.org.la and phetdavanh.oliyavong@wwf.org.la, by 28 Jul 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.