UN WOMEN Jobs - 56576- Gender and Political Empowerment Specialist/Consu

Gender and Political Empowerment Specialist/Consultant (SSA International)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six Months (68 working days)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six Months (68 working days)

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

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women 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 centre of all its efforts, UN Women 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.

UN Women is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s human rights in Afghanistan. Staff and consultants of UN Women Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized. Respect for diversity and human dignity is required, as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues and partners. UN Women is structured to ensure greater cohesion between the programme areas through three pillars: Eliminating Violence Against Women Pillar (EVAWP), Coordination and Advocacy Pillar (CAP), and Political and Economic Empowerment Pillar (PEEP), in which this post is placed.

The role of the PEEP is to support national counterparts – including the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI), Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Parliamentary bodies, Electoral bodies, and civil society in implementing the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) in the areas of political and economic opportunities for women. The Pillar builds on partnerships developed with ministries, the international community, the UN Country Team, etc., to promote increased women’s participation in political and economic development.

UN Women will be recruiting an international Gender and Political Empowerment Specialist/Consultant (PES), who will be based at home and provide support as per the deliverables listed below as and when need arises by the pillar. The incumbent will not necessary require to work full time, but will be approached by PEEP to deliver as per the ToR. The PES will be responsible for providing strategic input to the implementation and coordination of the programmes of political empowerment and women’s inclusion in the peace process within PEEP, in accordance with UNSCR 1325 and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the PEEP Programme Manager, the PES is tasked with the below functions: Design programme initiatives for women’s political empowerment and their active involvement in the peace and democratic processes;
Technical support to the PEEP Programme Officer responsible for women in the peace process activities of UN Women;
Advisory support for strategic partnerships and resource mobilization;
Advocacy support, knowledge building and management.

Design programme initiatives for women’s political empowerment and their active involvement in the peace and democratic processes:

Based on research and evidence gathered, design and formulate programme initiatives for women’s political empowerment and active participation in peace and democratic processes, translating UN Women’s priorities into local interventions;
Provide technical support to the political empowerment team in identifying and selecting partners for implementing activities for women’s political empowerment and active involvement in peace and democratic processes;
Review and assess policies relating to women’s political empowerment and active involvement in the peace process with the objective to identify gaps and opportunities for development of new policies and to guide the overall team priorities and work plans;

Deliverables:

Formulation of programme initiatives for women’s political empowerment and active participation in the peace and democratic processes (10 days);
Assessment of women’s political empowerment area, identifying UN women’s entry points, and providing recommendations for next steps (10 days).

Focal Point for UNSCR 1325/the Women in the Peace Process Activities of UN Women

Under the guidance and oversight of the supervisor, provide technical support to the Political Empowerment Officer (PEO) responsible for the coordination of planning, implementation, management, and reporting aspects of UN Women’s support to the High Peace Council;
Ensure effective application of RBM tools and monitoring the achievement of results;
Support technically and administratively the PEO to manage the portfolio of Women in the Peace Process and track progress on programme results and indicators;
Prepare timely and quality technical reports, briefs and required documents for the project team, contractors and project partners.

Deliverables:

The project with HPC and women in the peace process is technically supported (10 days).
All political empowerment related substantive technical reports, briefs and required documents of the project team, contractors and project partners are prepared with high quality(10 days).

Strategic partnerships building and resource mobilization support:

In coordination with the Information and Analysis Unit, create and regularly update the mapping of different partner interventions in the areas of women’s political empowerment and their engagement in the peace process;
Provide analysis and research of information on donors’ strategies in the political sphere; preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.

Deliverables:

Mapping of different partners working in political empowerment and women in peace process is conducted and report produced (5 days);
Research on donor strategies conducted and substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation produced (10 days).

Advocacy support and facilitation of knowledge building and management

Support the establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linkages to international networks related to women’s political empowerment.
Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to women’s political empowerment and their engagement in the peace and democratic processes.
Prepare periodic information products for ACO (briefing notes, reporting) in coordination with the Reporting Officer.

Deliverables:

A report on women’s participation in peace processes and political empowerment for best practices and lessons learned produced (10 days);
Periodic briefing notes and information package prepared for ACO ( 3 days).

Competencies

Knowledge about gender issues in Afghanistan and peace and security challenges and preferably previous experience of working on projects relating to UNSCR 1325/ Women, Peace, and Security Agenda;
Proven coordination and management skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and contribute to a team environment of respect, recognition, and mutual accountability;
Experience and/or understanding of financial management and administrative issues;
Excellent inter-personal and general communication skills;
Must be self-starter with excellent demonstrated teamwork skills;
Ability to work under pressure to follow deadlines and handle numerous tasks simultaneously and still deliver quality work products;
Strong and proven integrity, time management and work prioritization and analytical skills;
Understanding of UN Women/UN procedures, rules and regulations an asset;
Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles and projects;
Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UN Women Afghanistan.
A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations;
Essential computer skills – familiarity with Microsoft Word programs, internet, e-mail.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in political science, human rights, development cooperation, gender studies, women’s rights, public administration, or other related fields with a minimum of 5-6 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

Minimum of 4 years of progressively relevant professional working experience, in the fields of Women, Peace and Security; Human Rights; Development Coordination; Gender/Women’s Rights; or Public Administration;
Demonstrated experience of coordination between government agencies, donors, the international community, and civil society;
Experience working in government institutions an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluent spoken and written English;
Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu an asset.

Submission of Applications:

Timeframes and Institutional Arrangements

The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 68 working days. He/she must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate the qualifications:

Cover letter: (not more than 450 words) explaining their suitability for the work and a brief description of approach to work/methodology;
Financial proposal: indicate fee per day as well as travel cost by most direct and economic route (return ticket);
Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references and signed P11 form.

Financial Proposal:

The contract is based on fees per day tied to achievement of deliverables as per the scope of assignment and deliverables table. Payments will be made upon receipt of deliverable reports, certified by supervisor and approved by the Country Representative.

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