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 assists UN member states in setting international norms and standards for achieving gender equality and works with governments and civil society to develop laws, policies, programs, and services needed to implement these standards.

The Generation Equality Forum is a civil society-centered, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. This global gathering, started in Mexico City in March 2021 and continued in Paris in June 2021. The initiative has two objectives: firstly, it brought actors together, especially young people, to chart forward a fresh and bold agenda to foster intergenerational, intersectional and multi-stakeholder movement for gender equality. Secondly, it launched the Action Coalitions: set of innovative multi-stakeholder programmes to achieve tangible results on gender equality across six key thematic areas, to support the UN Decade of Action (2020-2030) and accelerate results towards delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Generation Equality Action Coalitions are mobilizing governments, women’s, feminist and youth-led organizations, international organizations, and the private sector to: catalyze collective action; spark global and local conversations among generations; drive increased public and private investment; and deliver concrete progress on gender equality across generations for girls and women.

Six specific themes are being addressed by the Action Coalitions: i) Gender Based Violence; ii) Economic Justice and Rights; iii) Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); iv) Feminist Action for Climate Justice; v) Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality; vi) Feminist Movements and Leadership and vii) Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action.

A Global Acceleration Plan for Gender-based violence

Through its emphasis on partnerships which centers civil society, the Action Coalition on gender-based violence is mobilizing governments, civil society, youth-led organizations, international organizations, philanthropies and the private sector to deliver transformational progress towards the elimination and prevention of gender-based violence through four concrete actions: (1) Creating enabling policy, legal and resource environments; (2) Scaling up evidence driven prevention programming; (3) Scaling up comprehensive, accessible and quality services for survivors; and (4) Enabling and empowering autonomous girl-led & women’s rights organizations to exercise their expertise.

A Global Acceleration Plan for Economic Justice and Rights

Economic justice and rights affect all women and girls globally. Four ambitious actions for economic justice and rights, grounded in unmet asks from feminist activists, have been put forward. These actions leverage the SDG framework, contributing to its targets while enhancing the resources that have been mobilized to achieve them. Furthermore, these actions reflect the need to forge an intersectional approach that addresses the needs of women and girls in all their diversity, everywhere. Together, the four actions of the Economic Justice and Rights Action Coalition will result in accelerated progress towards gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. They approach the critical constraints from all angles – transforming systemic barriers, breaking down discriminatory norms, enacting and implementing transformative laws and policies, ensuring adequate financing and service delivery and insisting on accountability at all levels.

The Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) is working to realize a world for women and girls in conflict and crisis in which financing, participation in peace processes, economic security, leadership and protection of their human rights are all possible. But to succeed, peace and humanitarian action processes need to include their perspectives and uphold their human rights. Since its launch at the Generation Equality Forum in 2021, the Compact has welcomed more than 190 Signatories, including countries, regional organizations, UN entities and civil society: women and youth organizations and networks, academic institutions and private sector. Together, this multistakeholder process is driving five years of transformative action for sustainable and inclusive peace through strong partnerships, improved monitoring and assessment of progress and a focus on financing and advocacy.

In 2021 Kazakhstan joined and committed under the two Action Coalitions on Gender-Based Violence and Economic Justice and Rights demonstrating an active position and adherence to principles of Human rights, Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The coordination and monitoring mechanism has been established to monitor and coordinate national efforts in implementation and delivering on GEF commitments.

Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue

In 2020 a prominent group of women leaders representing the Central Asian states and the United Nations launched a new platform, the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue to support women in the region to attain a more prominent political, economic and social role and enable them to increasingly influence the decision-making process on issues related to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Kazakhstan plays an active role in this initiative and plans further to accelerate the regional efforts related to strengthening women’s leadership and political participation.

The Dialogue is supported by the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.    

Virtual Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Knowledge Resource

UN Women and the Government of Kazakhstan are finalising the work on a virtual GEWE Knowledge resource for the Central Asia to advance gender equality. It will operate as a virtual learning platform to convene knowledge on priority GEWE issues in the current context of COVID-19 recovery and building back better. It will provide a space for partners from national Women/Gender Equality mechanisms, Gender Focal Points from the sectoral ministries, parliamentarians, CSOs and experts to meet regularly and exchange views and ideas on how to effectively integrate gender mainstreaming in their work, promote gender equality in line with the international standards and norms. The links between policy and programming by bringing experts and practitioners together in regular dialogues will be ensured.

Thus, the virtual learning platform is expected to support to exchange and network, enhance capacities, create a sense of community, develop and share innovation, and increase effectiveness and efficiency in knowledge management on gender equality and empowerment of women in Central Asia.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Commission adopts multi-year programmes of work to appraise progress and make further recommendations to accelerate the implementation of the Platform for Action. These recommendations take the form of negotiated agreed conclusions on a priority theme. The Commission also contributes to the follow-up to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so as to accelerate the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Advisor will work under overall supervision of the UN Women Representative in Kazakhstan and in daily coordination with the UN Women Programme Specialist. She/he will lead, provide advisory and expert support and perform overall coordination and interaction with the relevant national partners for ensuring Kazakhstan’s substantive and meaningful participation in work of the Generation Equality Forum Action Coalitions on Gender Based Violence and Economic Justice and Rights, Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action Compact, Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue, Virtual Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Knowledge Resource and the Commission on the Status of Women.  

The Senior Advisor will lead the design and implementation of the Work Plans for each thematic direction.  She/he will work closely with UN Women Country Office Kazakhstan, other relevant UN entities in Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Commission for Women and Family Affairs and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan (National Commission), Members of the Parliament and Senate, the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the UN, Civil Society Organisations, International and Expert communities and other relevant national and international partners on the national, sub-regional, regional and global levels to ensure coordination and collaboration in delivery on results across all workstreams.

Support UN Women Country Office in leading the strategy and engagement with national partners for substantive and meaningful participation in the work of the GEF Action Coalitions (GBV and EJR), WPS and HA Compact, the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue, Virtual Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Knowledge Resource and the Commission on the Status of Women

  • Lead the development of the strategic vision, plans, and documents to achieve strategic goals and objectives and allocate sufficient human and financial resources for effective implementation of the assignment.
  • Ensure that interventions are aligned with UN Strategic Note for Kazakhstan, UN Women’s Global Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the broader mission and work of UN Women. 
  • Lead strategic coordination with all relevant partners for reaching the consensus and ensuring substantive and meaningful participation in the initiatives mentioned above.
  • Lead the work of the GEF Action Coalitions, WPS and HA Compact monitoring and coordination group through regular exchange of information, meetings and reporting.
  • Lead organisation of events, meetings and dialogues according to the approved annual work plans.
  • Undertake high-level advocacy and strengthen partnerships for UN-Women’s priorities. 
  • Contribute to resource mobilisation for sustainable funding of UN Women’s support to the national partners.
  • Provide any other support to UN Women Country Office Kazakhstan for effective implementation of the triple mandate.

High-level representation and thought leadership of UN-Women  

  • Enhance UN-Women’s Country Office positioning through high-level dialogue and representation to relevant global and regional events in connection with the initiatives mentioned above. 
  • Upon request represent UN-Women Country Office in various events on gender equality, women’s empowerment.  
  • Support UN Women Country Office to ensure substantive engagement in national, sub-regional, regional and global initiatives as a strategic partner for national counterparts in Kazakhstan in advancing Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.   
  • Develop, finalise and clear written reports, newsletters, speeches, talking points, social media posts and other documents and solicitation of inputs from all relevant partners and ensure proper dissemination of these products.

Human and financial resources and knowledge management

  • Oversee the work of supervisees through ensuring timely and high-quality development of workplans, concept notes, briefs, presentations, agendas, minutes, official correspondence, budgets and other relevant documentation.
  • Oversee the design and proper and timely implementation of the budget.
  • Oversee the work of supervisees for ensuring the timely and high-quality organisation of events, meetings, dialogues, and engagement with all partners.
  • Ensure that supervisees effectively achieve their key performance indicators and provide them with guidance.
  • Oversee the development of high-quality Knowledge products and materials and its dissemination among the partners and involved parties  

Key Performance Indicators

  • Timely and quality strategic advice and expert support within the framework of identified initiatives
  • Timely and quality delivery of planned initiatives in line with allocated budgets and workplans
  • Quality and timely performance of the team and consultants
  • Strong relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders. Positive feedback on substantive and meaningful involvement in initiatives from partners and other stakeholder
  • Quality of advocacy, communication and knowledge management initiatives. Effective strategic communications, outreach campaigns and pro-active engagement with public
  • Enhanced best practices, relevant information and lessons learned documented and circulated
  • Quality and timely preparation of written reports, newsletters, speeches, talking points, social media posts and other documents and solicitation of inputs from all relevant partners

Competencies

Core Values:

  • Respect for Diversity
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism

Core Competencies:

  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
  • Accountability
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Effective Communication
  • Inclusive Collaboration
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

  • Excellent knowledge of women’s leadership, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment context on the national, regional and global levels.
  • Excellent networking skills 
  • Ability to interact with donors, the United Nations system, international organisations, civil society, diplomatic community, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising  
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice  
  • Excellent representational and analytical skills 
  • Ability to write policy papers, speeches, briefings

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in social sciences and/ or other related fields. PhD is desirable;
  • Specialized training/ certifications in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment is an asset.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

  • At least 8 years progressively responsible experience in high-level and senior leadership positions in the Governments, International organisations, international human rights and gender equality mechanisms advocating for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment with concrete demonstrable results in this area; 
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including leading the diverse team;
  • Experience in establishing and managing networks, working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations at the national and international level; 
  • Knowledge of the UN system is an asset.  

Language:

  • Fluency in oral and written English/ Russian is required.   Knowledge of Kazakh is an asset.
  • Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.  

Evaluation process

Applicants must meet the above minimum qualification requirements which will be included in the technical evaluation process in the future. The next stage of the assessment process will be maintained by cumulative analysis methodology of technical proposal (70%) and the financial proposal (30%) of the candidate.

Technical evaluation criteria:

 

Criteria

Maximum points

Education

Advanced degree in Social and Political Science, International Law, International Affairs, Research methods, Gender studies, Development studies, Public Policy and Administration, and other related fields

100

Professional work experience

At least 8 years progressively responsible experience in high-level and senior leadership positions in the Governments, International organisations, international human rights and gender equality mechanisms advocating for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment with concrete demonstrable results in this area

200

 

 

Experience in establishing and managing networks, working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations at the national and international level

150

 

Demonstrated leadership skills, including leading the diverse team;

100

 

Experience with UN agencies and other international organizations, as well as with government agencies for promoting gender equality is an asset;

100

Languages

Excellent writing and speaking skills in Russian/ Kazakh

 

Excellent writing and speaking skills in English

25

 

25

Maximum total technical scoring (70%):

700

Only candidates, who will accumulate at least 490 (70%) points of the maximum 700 points during the technical evaluation process, will be qualified for financial proposal*.

* Each candidate will be requested to submit financial proposal that should represent daily remuneration fee in KZT.

Application Process:

The financial offers of the technically qualified candidates will be requested and will be weighted in terms of selection points as per below formula:

B = T + Clow / C x 300 where

T- is the universal technical score awarded to the evaluation of the proposal (only those proposals that pass 70% of the technical evaluation);

C is the financial offer of the candidate; and

Clow- is the lowest financial proposal among all evaluated candidates;

300 is the maximum financial point that can be obtained.

The successful candidate will have accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical and financial scoring).

Payment will be made only if expected results will be achieved agreed package of documents and reports provided without delay and approval of UNW.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc.

Only candidates who have passed the preliminary selection will be informed.

Kindly note, that the system will only allow one attachment, hence all supporting document e.g. P11, CV and financial proposal must be scanned as one attachment. Applications without the completed UNDP P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

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.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided?on the basis of?qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)