Consultant

The required changes are three-fold:

• To delay the inheritance procedures for six months (or more according to the context) following the loss  (It should be noted that Jordan has worked on amending the reconciliation period from one month to 3 months, following the death of the testator, furthermore it has been advised through the Civil Status Law in Jordan that this period is sufficient for mourning, and does not impact inheriting women’s economic conditions, taking into account that the long period would prevent heirs from gaining access to their legal heritage, the issue that might affect their economic situation and life conditions)  
• To register her inheritance shares in her name first; to waive them later if she should so decide
• To raise women’s full awareness of their full human and legal rights, through a joint campaign between the media and relevant bodies.  

Main Duties:

• Review all aspects of laws as well as various interpretations of Shari’a (fiq’h/jurisprudence) in the assigned countries related to inheritance and women’s ownership and their application
• Provide comprehensive information on legislations pertaining to women’s inheritance rights  and ownership rights in all the targeted countries
• Provide a comparison analysis between the inheritance laws which will highlight good practices that will support and protect women’s  inheritance rights
• Suggest mechanisms or legislations that can guarantee women’s inheritance rights (i.e. all inheritance should be distributed and transferred legally to all beneficiaries before any of them can waive it to others )
• Suggest mechanisms or legislation that make it difficult and inconvenient for women to waive their inheritance rights (i.e. giving away any inherited property  cannot be allowed before a certain period of time  (i.e. 6 months) after the death of the testator, or as mentioned above: make it illegal for a women to waive her inheritance rights)
• Present the key findings and recommendations in a regional meeting for validation/discussion, which will also serve as a platform to build/strengthen the national and regional coalitions; serve as the first planning meeting/activity for the national and regional coalitions
• Provide final report based on recommendations of the regional validation/discussion meeting and that incorporates any other changes recommended to the draft report. Final report will be approved prior to the validation/discussion meeting by KPOs

Deliverables:

• Desk review - description and analysis - of women’s inheritance rights legal framework in the targeted countries (report in Arabic and summary in English);
• Mapping of the main decision-makers, both at the national and regional levels;
• Recommendations on mechanisms guaranteeing equitable distribution of inheritance and women’s rights to inheritance enjoyment;
• Compilation of best practices that stem from both successful experiences of women enjoying their inheritance rights.   
• Regional meeting to validate the findings of the desk review and identify the most relevant legal arguments/practices as well as define accordingly the strategic framework of intervention with identified members for the coalitions

Reporting Requirements:

• During the course of the mandate, the consultant or consultancy firm will report to ASALA (main contact at Asala to be determined), and the consultant will deliver the following reports:
• An Inception Report within one week of signing the contract detailing the proposed work schedule and general approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment as well as a proposed structure of the final report;
• A draft report that details findings, recommendations and mapping/profiling of main decision-makers and influential personalities and groups in the different countries and region, compilation of best practices;
• Pre and post presentation reports for a validation workshop with key actors;
• A final report that incorporates any change recommended to the draft report.
   

Education:

• Minimum of Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in governance related field (or equivalent work experience) including: Law (specifically Islamic law), Economics, Public administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Social Science, Political Science, Gender knowledge …

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in rule of law, justice, governance or closely related field. Experience of public service delivery and organizational change management in public institutions an advantage;
• Proven experience working in a developing context and in the MENA.
• Experience of drafting user-friendly knowledge products such as books, articles, research papers, toolkits, guides, methodologies, analytical documents, policy papers and notes, project and program documents, baseline studies, desk reviews, comparative studies, etc. is an asset.
• Knowledge of high-level governance, capacity and public communication support is an asset.

Technical Skills and Expertise

• Demonstrated theoretical understanding and practical experience of women's rights/gender equality in the Middle East and North Africa
• Understanding of and familiarity with religious law/texts
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal frameworks in the MENA
• Demonstrated knowledge in preparing documents for discussions
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English is obligatory.
• ICT literacy

Core Competencies

• Professionalism – Strong knowledge of the field of expertise with strong analytical skills, drafting and reporting abilities.
• Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision
• Planning & Organizing - Ability to plan work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Communication – Strong spoken and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to present information in a clear and concise style.
• Teamwork - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a regional environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Other - Creative, solution oriented, flexible, positive attitude

Mandate:
To apply for this mandate, interested candidates should send their proposal: including resume   (with detailed information about prior relevant experience), a letter of motivation, 2 references, a written sample of relevant article/ publication/report in electronic format and a description of the assignment as understood, a methodology and a financial proposal to salma@asala-pal.org   Please reference Women’s Rights to Inheritance Desk Mandate.

Please note that we will be reviewing applications as they are sent in and may make contact with applicants before the application deadline.
REEWP/Oxfam-Québec sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level:Regional Consultant
Languages Required: Arabic and English, French would be an asset
Duration of  Contract: 2 months

Interested candidates are invited to submit their expressions of interests and CVs directly to the contact address indicated in the ToRs document. attached.

For more elaborate information please check the attached Document "ToR Desk Review Ragionall Adviocay"