Background

As demanded by UN Security Council Resolution 1794, the UN in DRC (MONUC and the UN Country Team) has developed a Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence in the DRC. The Strategy was launched with the Government of the DRC in Kinshasa on 1 April 2009. The role of the Strategy is to coordinate the UN’s support behind Government’s efforts to prevent sexual violence, bring perpetrators to justice and ensure that the survivors of sexual violence receive comprehensive response and redress.
 
The Strategy was developed on Sexual Violence, funded by UN Action during 2008 to early 2009. An independent assessment of UN Action’s strategic support to the UN system in DRC was carried out in March 2009. One of its main findings was the need for continued strategic support to facilitate the operationalization of the Comprehensive Strategy and to develop a feasible implementation plan of prioritised tasks and outcomes agreed with various UN, Government, NGO and donor stakeholders. The implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1794 requires the UN system to work together at the country level, including countries that have peacekeeping missions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, strategic policy and technical advice to the UN’s response against sexual violence, as well as to the DSRSG/RC/HC and SRSG on taking forward the Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence in the DRC;
• Develop a detailed plan to build ownership of the Comprehensive Strategy with relevant Government Ministers and officials;
• Oversee and manage a process to finalize a feasible implementation plan for the four pillars of the Comprehensive Strategy (combating impunity, prevention and protection, security sector reform, and multi-sectoral response for survivors) with identified lead UN entities;
• Lead and strengthen coherence and coordination between UNCT and MONUC on sexual violence through participation in, and briefing on relevant fora (for example, the Protection Cluster, GBV Area of Responsibility, Security Sector Reform Group, Joint Protection Teams, work with UN Police, Protection, etc.);
• Guide and manage the process of establishing the Sexual Violence Unit in MONUC.

Analysis

• Oversee the development of data management to strengthen efforts and update on status of data needs, methodology, analysis and outcomes for tracking and reporting on sexual violence as well as guiding programmatic coordination on the ground;
• Lead and coordinate consultations on and drafting of UN reports (and inputs to UN reports) with a view to update the status of efforts to combat sexual violence for the Security Council and other global UN bodies

Developing Partnerships and Networks

• Develop a detailed plan to build partnerships with key donors and NGOs in support of the Comprehensive Strategy;
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with existing national and international initiatives, especially those that focus on sexual gender-based violence and the protection of civilians;
• Represent the DSRSG in existing UN system coordination fora;
• Promote collaborative work with the UNCT, peacekeeping and political actors, other UN actors at country level, and key multi-lateral, and donor organizations.

Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

• Coordinate and oversee the development of a country-wide advocacy strategy on sexual violence, in consultation with UN agencies – streamlining messages on sexual violence and informing UN media campaigns/advocacy initiatives;
• Strengthen and coordinate outreach initiatives with a range of actors including donors and NGOs through participation in fora such as the Sous-Groupe Thematique;
• Finalize costing of implementation plans to identify potential gaps and highlight existing commitments as a basis for a resource mobilization strategy.
• Coordinate the development of as resource mobilization strategy in support of the Comprehensive Strategy

Knowledge Management

• Represent UN Action in relevant international conferences
• Represent UN’s efforts to combat sexual violence in national conference as required
• Monitor the implementation of pillar plans at both national levels and in the Eastern part of the DRC
  

Perform other duties as required

Impact on Results 

• The UN’s efforts to combat sexual violence in the DRC contribute to the UN’s wider efforts to end sexual violence as a tactic of war – which are spearheaded by UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. UN Action is providing strategic support to up to 5 Integrated UN Missions where UN Peacekeepers have a protection of civilians mandate and sexual violence is being used as an explicit feature of the conflict.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the Integrated UN Mission in the DRC
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

• Ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for coordinating the UN’s response to sexual violence, placing equal emphasis on prevention, protection, service provision and judicial redress
• Demonstrated analytical, programming and advocacy skills on women and security issues especially with regard to policy advocacy, in line with Security Council Resolutions 1820 and 1325.
• Demonstrated ability to translate policies and strategies into practical and feasible programmes
• Establishes and maintains strong links with international, regional and national networks on gender based violence
• Clearly communicates the purpose and aims of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

• In-depth knowledge of women, peace and security issues.
• Knowledge and experience of gender based violence and gender mainstreaming issues
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
• Shares and applies knowledge, information, and best practices across the UN Action network

• Ability to lead and contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, work planning and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships, advocate effectively and communicate to various constituencies

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support, and is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
• Consistently approaches work with energy and positive, constructive attitude
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
• Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to work under pressure and with multi-disciplinary and multi cultural team and possess excellent inter-personal skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Provennetworking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
• Ability to establish priorities for self and others, and to work independently

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree in social science especially gender studies, or relevant discipline.   

• A minimum of ten years experience with issues in conflict and post-conflict countries and substantial direct experience and commitment to combating sexual and gender based violence
• Experience of working in gender sensitive programming in Africa, particularly in crisis and post-crisis contexts
• Good understanding of the UN system’s procedures and operational activities – previous experience of working in theUN is desirable
• Familiarity with research on gender based violence programming, monitoring and evaluation
• Strong gender sensitive data capacity
• Sound political judgement
• Good strategic awareness and analytical capabilities

• Excellent written and oral skills in English and French