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 South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) is based in Pretoria, South Africa and serves five countries: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and ESwatini.

UN Women is collaborating with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) to enhance socio-economic transformation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in South Africa. The DWYPD is mandated to lead on socio-economic transformation and the empowerment and participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities through mainstreaming, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation.

Women Economic Assembly (WECONA) is a catalyst platform for women owned/managed/led businesses/enterprises, anchored on collaboration between Government, private sector, and civil society.  It is an ongoing initiative and a preventative measure against gender-based violence and femicide aimed at preventing the scourge by encouraging women to be economically active.

UN Women South Africa Multi Country Office is providing technical support to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) to recruit a consultant. The role of the consultant will be to support the coordination and strengthening Women Economic Assembly work.

He/She  will sit in the Department of Women and will report to Chief Director of Social Transformation & Economic Empowerment in liaison with Programme Specialist (WEE, UNWOMEN SAMCO).

Objective of the assignment:

The main objective of the assignment is to provide programme coordination support to the Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities on the Women Economic Assembly work and National Gender Based Violence and Femicide Pillar 5 on Economic power, programme objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsbilities of the consultant include:

• Provide technical support and ensure effective coordination of activities of the WECONA and Pillar 5 efficiency;
• Support the development of systems and plans to ensure effective coordination of WECONA activities;
• Provide substantive support and advanced administrative support to the WECONA secretariat;
• Ensure timely preparation and quality control of substantive reports, briefs and required documents including reports;
• Ensure effective implementation, monitoring of the WECONA business plan and activities;
• Oversee the maintenance of a database of stakeholders involved in WECONA activities;
• Ensure effective participation of all sectors involved in WECONA (Government departments, Civil Society Organisations, Development Partners, Private Sector, and other institutions);
• Participate in National, Provincial and Local coordination structures on women economic empowerment issues as required.

Key Deliverabes:

• Holding consultation with officials from DWYPD and key stakeholders;
• Reviewing existing workplan and updating the Women Economic Assembly Annual Workplan;
• Providing technical and coordination support to WECONA Secretariat;
• Producing communication materials, briefs and reports;
• Providing support in the implementation of  WECONA projects including the development of high-quality program and monitoring;
• Preparing project progress report about implemented activities and achieved results. 

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and  Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Compentencies;

• Demonstrate responsiveness, objectivity, organization and have a good methodology in carrying out the work;
• Demonstrate ability to produce quality results on time outsourced and work under pressure.
• Demonstrate experience in drafting legislation and policies and measures to implement that legislation;
• Demonstrate strong communication skills oral and written.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences, or other related areas 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:

• At least 2 years of experience of relevant work in the field of gender equality and women empowerment;
• Understanding of the South African Constitution and laws on procurement in South Africa and other countries that have managed to implement preferential procurement for women, youth, and persons with disabilities;
• Proven experience in programme coordination conducting research and gender analysis;
• Proven knowledge and experience in working on women economic empowerment and transformation;
• Previous experience working with government, private sector, regional and international organisations is an asset;
• Demonstrate experience in drafting legislation and policies and measures to implement that legislation;
• Demonstrate strong communication skills oral and written.

Language requirements: 

• Fluency in English is required; 
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset. 

Note:

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

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, colour, 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. 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, colour, 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.

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.)