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 empowerment in Afghanistan.  Staff and consultants of UN Women Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) 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.
 
Since 2003, UN Women has been actively supporting the government to promote women's advancement through an integrated program of institutional capacity building and technical support to ministries, gender mainstreaming across government, including in the justice sector, supporting economic empowerment initiatives for women, promoting women's engagement in peace building, advocating for elimination of violence against women, and legal and policy reform.  In line with the ACO's work on mainstreaming gender into national development strategies, UN Women had helped the government mainstream gender equality into the Government of Afghanistan's major policy frameworks through the Institutional Capacity Development Unit (ICDU). These include the Constitution, Afghanistan Millennium Development Goals (AMDG), Afghanistan Compact, and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). More importantly, UN Women helped the government develop and adopt the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) which serves as its   main vehicle for implementing its gender equality commitments.
 
Given all these, a bigger challenge of ensuring NAPWA implementation lies ahead. The Kabul Conference dated 20 July 2010 provided an avenue to jumpstart a systematic approach for government-wide implementation of NAPWA through the adoption of the MOWA Priority Program (NPP) entitled, Capacity Development to Accelerate NAPWA Implementation.  UN Women serves as MOWA's technical adviser in its effort to implement this NPP, and for which reason, UN Women committed to continue its program of support to the government on gender mainstreaming, particularly within the context of the MPP implementation in the next three years and through the ICDU program of Developing Government Capacities to Implement NAPWA and the ANDS Gender Strategy.
 
In addition to this, there are various strategic mechanisms in which the ACO plays a pivotal role. One of these is the UNCT Gender Working Group (UNCT GWG) which helps ensure that gender equality continues to be a central agenda of the UN Development Assistance Framework and the Integrated Strategic Framework. Recently, UNCT GWG adopted Dai Kundi as the pilot site for piloting the implementation of NAPWA under 'delivering as one' approach.  As Chair of this mechanism, UN Women is expected to bring all UN agencies' to organize and implement actions around NAPWA implementation.
Likewise, the ACO serves as Secretariat to the Gender Donor Coordination Group (GDCG) which serves as a major networking, coordination, advocacy and facilitating mechanism for UN agencies and donors' support to the government in implementing its gender equality commitments.  Recently, UN Women was also named as co-Chair and lead adviser of the MOWA and Ministry of Education's Human Resource Development Board in the Gender Mainstreaming Task Force (GMTF), a technical forum and policy recommending mechanism under the Human Resource Development Cluster whose main objective is to facilitate mainstreaming, implementation and coordination of the gender-related components of the 22 National Priority Programs (NPP) that were adopted in the July 20, 2010 Kabul Conference.
 
Under the direct supervision of the ACO Country Director, the ICBS will serve as the lead technical staff of ICDU to provide substantive leadership and guidance on the interventions of the ICDU in its identified priority areas. The ICBS will work within the context of the Institutional Capacity Development's Program on Strengthening Government's Capacity to Implement NAPWA and ANDS Gender Strategy and enable the ICDU team to collaborate with the Chief Technical Specialist and Unit Managers in designing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on inter-unit activities that will strengthen the leadership of the ACO in the aforementioned inter-agency mechanisms, as well as in inter-governmental, multi-stakeholder processes for the implementation of the NPPs.

Key Results:
 
The key results expected from the ICBS are the following:
  • Technical advice and papers to enable ACO to lead in the above mechanisms with utmost credibility and technical excellence.
  • Technical advice and papers in inter-unit collaborative activities around mainstreaming of gender in the NPP implementation.
  • Strategic policy and program recommendations to the ACO management through the Unit Manager, MOWA and other agencies of government in managing its leadership roles within UNCT GWG, GDCG and GMTF.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.   Technical support to government in mainstreaming gender into the implementation of the National Priority Programs: 
 
The purpose of this function is to ensure that the  national priority programs of government that were adopted in the July 20, 2010 Kabul Conference will be implemented with consideration of the government's gender equality commitment, as provided in NAPWA. Along this line, and within the framework of the ICDU's program on Strengthening Government's Capacity to Implement NAPWA and ANDS Gender Strategy, the ICBS will:
  • Serve as principal technical support to the Institutional Capacity Development Unit in assisting MOWA and other agencies of the government to mainstream gender into the implementation of the NPPs. 
  • Facilitate the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of existing NPP mechanisms and assist in the establishment of enabling mechanisms for gender sensitive MPP  implementation, including data base and other technical resources.
  • Monitor and recommend ways to address bottlenecks, conduct inter-ministerial coordination and monitoring meetings and prepare gender inputs to government reports on NPP implementation.
Outputs - Substantive inputs and suggested processes to mainstream gender into the NPP implementation; assessment and recommendations on how to develop or strengthen the existing gender mechanisms; recommendations on how to address bottlenecks to NPP implementation; technical inputs or drafts of government reports on NPP implementation.
 
Timeline: First six months.
 
2.   Capacitate and assist MOWA officials and staff in implementing the MOWA NPP and in promoting and monitoring gender mainstreaming in other NPPs:
 
The aim of this function is to ensure that MOWA will be able to implement its NPP and lead other ministries effectively in the process of mainstreaming gender into their respective priority programs.  Along this line, and in partnership with the members of the ICDU, the ICBS will:
  • Develop and build capacity of MOWA to develop strategies, guidelines, tools, and technical and policy papers on gender mainstreaming for the use of MPP implementers and advocates.
  • Provide substantive guidance to the MOWA Program Management Unit (PMU) in overseeing the implementation of MOWA NPP components by the various working groups. 
  • Facilitate and build capacity within MOWA in designing, organizing and conducting briefing sessions and mainstreaming workshops for members of MOWA NPP working groups, and concerned staff of MOWA and its partners.
  • Clarify the concept and facilitate the strengthening of MOWA NPP working groups, including the development of operational guidelines, facilitating coordination among them, and linking them with resources and capacity building opportunities to enhance their performance.
  • Guide the work of  other professionals who may be contracted to assist in mainstreaming gender in the MOWA NPP implementation. 
  • Provide technical support to MOWA in developing the fully articulated proposal on the MOWA NPP.
  • Assist and strengthen capacity of MOWA officials and staff in articulating policy positions and gender mainstreaming recommendations in the NPP processes.
Outputs - Strategies, guidelines, tools and policy papers; fully articulated proposal on the MPP; guidance notes to PMU and MOWA NPP working groups; briefing/workshop plans; meeting reports; technical inputs to policy positions.
 
Timeline: Throughout the contract period.
 
3.    Provide guidance and advice to ICDU and, as required, to other ACO units in conceptualizing, implementing and monitoring ACO interventions in implementing ACO programs in Dai Kundi:
 
This function aims to ensure that the ACO is pursuing a cohesive, strategic approach in the pilot implementation of NAPWA in Dai Kundi. In this connection, the ICBS and ICDU will: 
  • Provide advice in the development of an inter-unit strategy to participate in the Dai Kundi pilot implementation of NAPWA under delivering as one approach. 
  • If necessary, and through the ICDU Unit Manager, advise concerned staff in strategic interventions in the implementation of their interventions for Dai Kundi.
  • Enable ICDU to process, analyze and document its performance, experiences, and insights in Dai Kundi. 

Outputs - Advice in the development of common inter-unit strategy to lead and work with GWG in piloting of NAPWA implementation in Dai Kundi; recommended approaches for knowledge and skills development of ICDU staff in sub-national gender mainstreaming;  inputs to analytical reports of the ICDU and the ACO team working on gender mainstreaming in national priority programs; other technical documents.

Timeline: Third month to end of contract period.

4.   Ensure UN Women's sustained leadership in the UNCT GWG, GDCG and GMTF:
 
This part of the TOR will ensure that the profile and achievements of the ACO in leading vital inter-agency coordination and advocacy groups are strengthened and sustained. In this regard, the ICBS will work directly with the ICDU and Country Director to undertake the following: 
  • Provide strategic direction and substantive leadership in planning and organizing common activities among the members of the above inter-agency mechanisms.
  • Provide technical support to the relevant unit(s) of the ACO in coming up with documents, information and other interventions in line with fulfilling its mandated roles in such interagency mechanisms.
  • Facilitate a process of internal reflection on the roles that the ACO play in the above inter-agency mechanisms and come up with analytical reports and recommendation on the strengths and weaknesses of ACO's approach in managing such roles. 
  • The ICBS will also serve as lead backstop of ICDU in enabling ACO to execute its roles as Chair of the UNCT GWG on behalf of UN Women. The ICBS will work with various units of ACO through the ICDU Unit Manager who will coordinate with the Chief Technical Specialist to ensure that key activities of the GWG on UN delivering as one in Dai kundi are successfully pursued. 
Outputs - Reports on work performed in relation to the above inter-agency mechanisms; technical inputs to strategic documents; and analytical reports and recommendations.
 
Timeline - Throughout the contract period.
 
5.   Serve as lead technical support to ICDU:
 
Enable the ICDU staff to successfully implement the various components of its programs and meet its performance and reporting commitments with the ACO management, partners and donors.   
 
6.    Performance of other related tasks. 
 
The incumbent will oversee and/or undertake routine duties such as contribution to reports of the ACO, organizing relevant seminars/conferences, representing UN Women in pertinent events, making presentations, networking, liaising with and consulting national and international partners and such other related tasks that the Country Director may assign from time to time.

Competencies

Core Values and Ethics:
  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and able to work in a multi-national environment.
  • Support the Organization's corporate goal.
  • Comply with UN Women rules, regulations and code of conduct.
  • Demonstrate integrity.
Teamwork:
  • Build effective client relationships and partnerships.
  • Interact with all levels of staff in the organization.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Build and share knowledge.
  • Provide guidance and support to others.
  • Apply existing knowledge to work.
  • Make valuable practice contributions.
Communication:
  • Excellent oral and written skills.
  • Listen actively and respond effectively.

Task Management:

  • Plan, prioritize and deliver a variety of tasks on time.
  • Exercise sound judgment/analysis.
  • Develop creative solutions.
Learning:
  • Promote learning environment in the office.
  • Provide constructive coaching and feedback for others.
Technical/Functional:
  • In-depth knowledge of program management and implementation.
  • Excellent inter-personal skills, especially in a multi-cultural setting.
  • Excellent programming skills, including programme development, management, implementation and monitoring.
  • Capability to process and analyze huge amount of information, design and conduct gender trainings, and design advocacy tools.
  • Knowledge of UN Women business, operations and programming cycle (preferred).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Masters degree (or equivalent) in International Relations, Development, Management, Social Sciences or related area.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of substantive experience preferably with some managerial responsibilities.
  • Prior experience in leading gender mainstreaming at the macro level, involving multiple institutions and actors will be an asset.
  • Prior experience in working with NGOs and civil society organizations will be an advantage.
  • Familiarity with the Afghan culture and experience in mainstreaming gender in a post conflict environment will be an asset.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluent in English language. Strong, confident command of both written and oral English.
  • Knowledge of local languages, Dari and/or Pashto, an asset.
Computer Skills:
  • High level of proficiency in computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications.
Note:
 
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
 
All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.