UN WOMEN Jobs - 61984- Consultant for the Organization of Side Event at t

Consultant for the Organization of Side Event at the High Level Partnership Forum

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

04-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 Days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works 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. UN Women engagements globally are guided by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (PFA). The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, adopted in 2000, is of particular importance for fragile states as it recognized that war impact women differently, and reaffirmed the need to increase women’s role in decision-making with regard to conflict resolution and prevention. Six consequent additional resolutions on women, peace and security were added, together representing a critical framework for improving the situation of women in fragile and conflict affected countries. Also, the Sustainable Development Goals set time-bound and measurable targets to promote gender equality. Through the strengthening of regional and country offices, UN Women highest priority is to ensure the capacity of UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and the UN Resident Coordinator system to advance gender equality.

UN Women’s revised Strategic Note 2014 – 2017 defines a programmatic focus on ‘women and security’. In its effort to stabilize areas liberated from Al-Shabaab, the Federal Government of Somalia has been appointing caretaker governments. The UN and the international community are providing stabilization support. Different security and justice arrangements are in place in different districts. In Jubaland, for example, in addition to AMISOM (including KDF), and local militias, Administrations have appointed security officers at the most local level. These, in coordination with the local community chief and elders are part of the local accountability mechanisms. They address problems with the District Administrations. In the more urban areas, such as Kismayo, where kin structures and alliances are more diverse, arrangements may differ significantly. Other areas, such as Galmudug, which have more recently been liberated from Al-Shabaad have other challenges and the process to address women and security in local areas are even less advanced. The same is true for the districts under South West Interim Administration (ISWA).

There has been little attention to women’s situations in these new areas, nor is there understanding what kind of security and justice arrangements exist and how women – who have recently been liberated from Al Shabaab rule - navigate institutions and individuals in order to be protected and to reach justice in their grievances. What is the impact of stabilization and security efforts if women, given they represent more than 50% of the population, lack security and access to justice? The cost of not providing women with security and justice in the newly liberated areas may be significant. If the international community wants to support Somalia in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help support the FGS address the UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security, understanding and improving the basic security situation for women is key.

The Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development in Somalia currently plans a side event at the High Level Partnership Forum in Turkey, in February. The event will draw attention to women, peace and security issues in the newly liberated areas. It will be an important follow up to the London Somalia Conference in 2012 where security and local stability were among the key concerns. Four years after, the FGS wishes to shed light on what has happened since then at the local level to provide security for women, and what remains to be done. The event will focus on getting increased attention on this issue by facilitating presentations on women’s situation in areas outside of Mogadishu, and by allowing a discussion on the topic.

Purpose and Objective of the Consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy will be to help the UN Women Somalia Programme Manager organize the side event on ‘Women and Security’ at the High Level Partner Forum in Turkey, in February 2016.

The selected consultant will work in close collaboration and under guidance of the Country Program Manager, as well as with the selected organization that will implement a rapid assessment on the ground situation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work is to:

Design the side event in close collaboration and consultation with all stakeholders;
Develop a framework for the organization of the event – what is required, who will be invited, time lines, any other organization detail;
Implement organization of the event;
Ensure contact with relevant donors, research organization, HLPF organizers;
Trouble shoot.

The selected candidate will be responsible to ensure the following:

Close coordination with the UN Women Somalia Country Programme Manager to agree on approach and keep in close dialogue on issues and way forward.

Deliverables:

A brief outline of the side event, including participants’ list and thematic focus;
A brief final report on the tasks performed, challenges and successes.

Competencies

Core Values / Guiding Principles:

Integrity

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

Professionalism

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

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.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values

Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation

Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in 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.

Communicating and Information Sharing

Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for 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.

Conflict Management

Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making

Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Proven ability to provide relevant programme advice;
Proven ability to design and implement relevant and targeted initiatives;
Ability to effectively contribute to strategic planning, programme/project implementation, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and develop inter-institutional coordination and communication mechanisms;
Demonstrated ability to organize events and/or project implementation;
Excellent rapport in dealing with high level partners, and specifically with donors and governments;
Demonstrated ability to work independently with a minimum of guidance while seeing consensus, and ability to deliver on target and on time;
High level of proficiency in computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Requirement:

Master degree in political science, law, international development studies or related field.

Experience:

Eight years professional experience working with international environment;
Demonstrated experience working on issues related to rule of law and specifically security issues in fragile sates.
Team leader experience from relevant assignments in fragile contexts required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in the English language required, with strong, confident command of both written and oral English.