UN WOMEN Jobs - 56083- International Consultant Governance Dimension of W

International Consultant Governance Dimension of WCARO Strategic Plan

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

03 Months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

03 Months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) was established by General Assembly resolution 64/289 of 2 July 2010 on system-wide coherence, with the mandate to assist countries and the United Nations system itself to progress more effectively and efficiently toward the goal of achieving gender equality, women’s empowerment and upholding women’s rights. This strategic plan, developed pursuant to paragraph 77 of resolution 64/2892 is the first such plan created by UN-Women.

The mission statement of UN-Women was set out in the proposal of the Secretary- General as follows: “Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the composite entity will work for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, the composite entity will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.”

In order to operationalize the global and regional strategy at the regional level, UN Women WCARO has developed (Annual Strategic Work Plan 2014 -2017). The plan builds and expands on its preceding Plan which focused on four (4) key result areas with potential to transform the gender equality landscape of the country:

1) Expanding Women’s Voice, Leadership and Participation;
2) Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment;
3) Preventing Violence against Women and Girls and expand access to service; and
4) Increasing women's leadership in peace, security and humanitarian response.

With the creation of UN Women, the adoption of a global strategic plan and the articulation of a regional and annual work plans, there is the need to reposition UN Women, UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office to function more effectively in its new role within the UN and with strategic partners. This is particularly important given the mandate of UN Women in contributing to the UN system’s effectiveness in advancing gender equality and empowerment of women. It is therefore critical that UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office is staffed and managed by personnel who are well positioned at appropriate levels of authority to take UN Women to the next level. One of such key roles is the position of Policy Advisor Governance.

Even though studies have shown that women constitute over half of the world’s population and contribute in vital ways to societal development they play very limited roles in all sectors of the economy. Women currently occupy very low of elective positions in the National Assembly. Yet women's effective participation in politics remains key for the West and Central Africa Region’s development. Thus, it is pertinent for UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office given its critical role of promoting gender equality and women empowerment to engage government, political parties, the media, National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to ensure women's increased leadership and participation in decisions that affect their lives.

In the light of the above, UN Women seeks to engage a Policy Advisor Governance to implement its Governance strategy and policy Programme under the overall supervision of the Regional Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Analysis and monitoring of trends and opportunities:

Provide policy recommendations, strategic advice and proposed courses of action to the Regional Director and Country Representatives;
Prepare analytical reports, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, talking points and others as required by senior management;
Engage in regional post-2015 discussions dealing with governance, conflict and personal security.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Integrity:

Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Ethics and Values:

Demonstrate and promote ethics and integrity by creating organizational precedents.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Work in teams:

Build and promote effective teams;
Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Demonstrated people management skills.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism:

Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work;

Organizational Awareness:

Build support for the organization and ensure political acumen;
Development and Innovation: Support staff competence development, and contribute to an environment of creativity and innovation;
Good knowledge of UN Women and the UN system;
Proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Good knowledge of the actors involved in gender issues in West and Central Africa.

Communication and Information Sharing:

Create and promote an environment for open and effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Development studies, Law, Human rights, Politics, Gender, Peace & Women studies or related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years progressively responsible experience in the area of governance, women’s leadership, women’s political participation, preferably with 5 years field experience in one or more of the regions in which UN Women operates;
Substantive experience and record of accomplishment in the area of women, governance, leadership and political participation.

Languages:

Fluency in English and French, both written and oral;
Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.