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.

Despite several attempts to reach a ceasefire for the armed conflict that broke on 15th April 2023 in Khartoum and other parts of the country, fighting continues especially in Khartoum, Darfur with less tensity in other parts of the country. Shortages of food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel are becoming extremely acute, especially in Khartoum and surrounding areas. In a country where around 4 million children and pregnant and lactating women were already severely malnourished, food shortages—coupled with the temporary suspension of humanitarian aid—have heightened consequences for women and girls, who have been disproportionately dependent on international assistance.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the ongoing hostilities. Gender-based violence is a major concern, with an estimated 2.7 million women and girls at risk of gender-based violence before the conflict. New reports of gender-based violence (including sexual violence and rape) are surfacing and being perpetuated due to the disruption of services and lawlessness as a result of the conflict.

Women of Sudan have always played a key role in shaping Sudan's political development, and in supporting its peace, security, and resilience. Women were at the forefront of the protests that led to the ousting of the al-Bashir regime in Sudan in the spring of 2019. The way in which they raised their voices to create change epitomised their resilience and strength, with reports that, at times women accounted for as many as 70% of protesters, despite threats and acts of violence and rape against them. However, the sad reality remains that women’s participation remains largely informal and has not been matched with equal voice and representation in the formal halls of power. Yet, evidence has shown that women are important in driving political transition and advocating for sustainable peace and stability.

Amidst the current crisis, Sudanese women and groups continue to demonstrate high levels of organization and resilience. In some areas across the different regions (Blue Nile, Darfur, the Eastern and Kordofan, Northern and Middle Region) women organized to advocate for peace. These women-led peace initiatives have released statements individually and have collectively agreed upon and drafted ten demands to stop the war.

The women-led initiatives have done credible groundwork in their advocacy for peace, reaching out to regional women-led organizations and networks to support their calls for peace further.

Based on the request of “Peace for Sudan Platform”, the Office of the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security, with support from UN Women and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), held a virtual meeting on 12 May 2023 in coordination with the "Peace for Sudan Platform" to support and amplify their call to end the conflict, highlight the impact on women and girls, and mobilize support to women’s peacebuilding and protection efforts in Sudan.

Sudan became a recipient of funds from the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund  (WPHF)in 2021. A total of $2,000,000 was allocated to be managed by the Resident Coordinator who chairs the National Steering Committee (NSC) comprising UN agencies, donors, and CSOs. In line with proposals put forward to the NSC as discussed with WPHF, support is proposed to ensure immediate institutional capacity enhancement of the 15 CSO partners to the maximum amount of $30,000, so that their capacities are strengthened for full implementation of their programmes when situation in Sudan improves based on the Cooperation Agreements already signed with the partner CSOs and UN Women

Reporting to the UN Women Country Representative for Sudan, the consultant will play a key role in coordinating UN Women’s women, peace and security programming, coordination with UN Country Team members and UNITAMS counterparts, liaising with women’s organizations and women’s human rights defenders to advance women, peace and security objectives in the country.

Sudan. 2022 HNO: IM Global GBV Country | Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility (gbvaor.net)

https://cdn.odi.org/media/documents/gesi_sudan_wp566.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Provide programme development advisory services and develop programmes in the area of Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action:

  • Oversee and manage the design and formulation of programme proposals and initiatives; Identify programmatic areas for support and interventions.
  • Finalize country strategy documents, programme/ project proposals, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents.
  • Organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders, women leaders, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs on programme design, as necessary.

2. Manage the implementation and management of the Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian action programme under the WPHF funds:

  • Manage the implementation of the annual workplan and budget
  • Manage the technical implementation of the programme/ project; provide technical advice; ensure synergies with other teams.
  • Review the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports as required.
  • Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators.
  • Lead Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings.

3. Oversee technical assistance and capacity development to WPHF project partners:

  • Provide technical advice to partners.
  • Build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian action programme; respond to any potential problems.
  • Serve as an expert resource to partners on mainstreaming gender into emergency response and peacebuilding.
  • Implement and oversee capacity building opportunities and initiatives.
  • Provide partners with advanced technical assistance, training and capacity development initiatives.

4. Manage the monitoring and reporting of the WPHF project:

  • Manage the process of monitoring the project’s resources and finances using results-based management tools.
  • Finalize quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
  • Write donor and UN Women reports.

5. Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

  • Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.
  • Finalize relevant documentation on donors and develop potential opportunities for resource mobilization.
  • Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

6. Manage inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action:

  • Provide substantive technical support to the Representative and Deputy Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees.
  • Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.
  • Take part in country level Common Country Assessment (CCA)/ United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework (UNSDPF) processes and similar exercises related to the RC system.
  • Prepare substantive inputs to CCA/ UNSDPF and other documents, as necessary.

7. Lead advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts:

  • Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action.
  • Manage advocacy strategies and their implementation.
  • Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning.
  • Lead the development of knowledge management strategies and methodologies and products on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Timely and quality programme strategies and contributions to Strategic Note.
  • Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget, workplans and the Strategic Note, as well as in line with operational rules and regulations, including security.
  • Strong and clear leadership/ supervision of team, including through performance plans and reviews.
  • Partners and other stakeholder provide positive feedback on advisory and technical services.
  • Quality reports and timely submission.
  • Quality of advocacy, communication and knowledge management initiatives.

Competencies

Competencies

Core values:

  • Integrity.
  • Professionalism.
  • Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

  • Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills.
  • Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them.
  • Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management.
  • Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making.
  • Excellent knowledge in Women Peace, Security and mainstreaming gender into humanitarian action.
  • Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation.
  • Strong networking skills.
  • Ability to negotiate and interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, particularly in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
  • Technical experience in Women Peace, Security and gender-responsive humanitarian action.
  • Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.
  • Experience working in the UN System is an asset.
  • Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Languages:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
  • Knowledge of Arabic language is highly desired

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 https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc.

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.