Background

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.

Sudan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Persons of Disabilities in April 2009. Since then, it has taken measures to implement the provisions of the Convention. This includes the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the adoption of the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2017. Sudan also took several steps to incorporate provisions of the Convention into other existing laws.

Under Article 6 of the Convention, State Parties recognize that “women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination” and they shall “take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms”. State Parties are also required “to ensure the full development, advancement and empowerment of women”. Indeed, women and girls with disabilities fought for this article to respond to a lack of recognition of their rights.

in April 2018 reflected and addressed these concerns. While it seeks a clear action with time line to harmonize legislation with the Convention, it recommended Sudan to strengthen measures to address multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities and implement effective legal, policy and practical measures to address gender-based violence.

Against this backdrop, mapping and analyzing laws, policies and mechanisms of current Sudan help the country seize the opportunity to advance human rights of one of the most neglected groups by 1) providing knowledge resources for harmonizing legislation with the Convention with a focus on the rights of women and girls with disabilities, 2) raise awareness of their own rights as women and girls with disabilities under the law and sensitize stakeholders. The result of this mapping will be a joint initiative by OHCHR Sudan and UN Women Sudan identifying gaps and presenting key recommendations in ensuring rights of women and girls with disabilities in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Persons of Disabilities.

Concluding observations on the initial report of the Sudan, paragraphs 6 and 14, 10 April 2018, CPRD/C/SDN/CO/1

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities published its General Comment No. 3 on women and girls with disabilities, where three main subjects of concern were identified: violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and discrimination. The Committee’s concluding observations on Sudan

  • Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Summary record of the 371st meeting, 21 February 2018 (CRPD/C/SR.371)
  • Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, General comment No. 3 (2016) on women and girls with disabilities, 25 Novemebr 2016. (CPRD/C/GC/3)

Objectives

The overall objective is to identify gaps in the legal framework in Sudan for the protection of rights of persons with disabilities in comparison with the international normative framework, namely the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, to provide recommendations for harmonization of Sudan’s laws and policies with the Convention, with focus on the rights of women and girls with disabilities.

Institutional arrangement/reporting line

The consultant will support OHCHR Sudan and UN Women Sudan with conducting the mapping and analysis under direct supervision of the UN Women Rule of Law Consultant with day-to-day support provided by the Gender Officer; and provide updates on regular basis and when required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

The national consultant will support in the development of the study, by performing the following tasks:

  • Review the draft study with a legal feminist lens and provide inputs to ensure the document is gender sensitive;
  • Collect primary data including but not limited to consulting closely with women and girls with disabilities to receive their feedback on the study and incorporate these accordingly;
  • Coordinate and facilitate a roundtable discussion with women with disabilities and women lawyers to present the draft study and receive feedback from the stakeholders;
  • Incorporate the feedback from relevant stakeholders and make amendments to the study where needed;
  • Incorporate feedback received by UN Women Sudan and OHCHR Sudan into the study;
  • Ensure the timely delivery of the study in accordance with the timeline set out in the deliverables.

Deliverables

  1. Submit a draft to UN Women Sudan and OHCHR Sudan identifying gaps in the legal framework for the protection of rights of persons with disabilities at the national level in comparison with the international normative framework, namely the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The draft should also include a set of recommendations;
  2. Submit the draft study for review and inputs within 18 working days from the signature of the contract and in accordance with the ToR and contract;
  3. UN Women Sudan and OHCHR Sudan will provide their inputs to the draft within ten working days from the day of receiving the draft study;
  4. Consultant to deliver a final draft incorporating the inputs and feedback given by UN Women and OHCHR within 7 working days from receiving the inputs.

Competencies

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:

  • Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
  • Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic 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;
  • Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in law (human rights), social science and/or any other relevant fields with sound knowledge and experience on human rights issues, focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular those of women and girls.

Experience

  • At least 5 years of experience at the national or international level on working on human rights and gender mainstreaming;
  • Demonstrated expertise and experience in conducting research in human rights, including national legislations, policies and mechanisms
  • Experience  presenting and facilitating .

Please note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment .

UNWOMEN 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.