Antecedentes

 

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.

 

The Peace and Security Section of the Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division supports UN Women to fulfill its mandate in the area of peace and security and UN system efforts to promote improved implementation, and monitoring and reporting of global commitments on women and peace and security (WPS) in contexts impacted by terrorism and counter-terrorism. UN Security Council Resolution 2242 (2015) encouraged Member States and the United Nations to ensure greater integration of their agendas of Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Counter Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism which could be conducive to terrorism and emphasized the importance of women leadership and participation in counter terrorism strategies[1]. As such, UN Women within its mandate, leverages its expertise, capacities, partnerships and platforms to support the UN system and Member States implement commitments enshrined in the WPS agenda as part of efforts to counter terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

 

Furthermore, UN Women works in close partnership with the UN Office of Counter Terrorism to integrate gender sensitive approaches in UN efforts supporting Member States implement the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy[2], where in several of its iterations has recognized the important role of women in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, as and when conducive to terrorism, and encouraged Member States and UN entities and international, regional and sub-regional organizations to ensure the participation and leadership of women in efforts to prevent terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism and to regularly consult with women’s organizations to inform this work. UN Women is also an integral party to the UN Global Counter Terrorism Compact - Gender Working Group[3].

 

UN Women’s contribution to the UN Counter Terrorism efforts is conceived and developed within the framework of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and the UN priority agenda on prevention and sustaining peace (GA resolution 262/70, and the SCR 2282). UN Women’s engagement also directly contributes to SDG 5 and SDG 16, and is aligned to the Pact of the Future, Action 19 on accelerating the implementation of commitments on women, peace and security, and Action 23 on commitment to pursue a future free from terrorism[4].

 

In 2025, it will be the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These two anniversaries will take place against the backdrop of the first anniversary of the Pact of the Future. As such, UN Women is currently revising its strategy in supporting the accelerations of WPS commitments in the context of the UN Counter Terrorism agenda, and in contexts impacted by terrorism and counter terrorism. This is with the view to better align its offer considering the global political context, regional and local dynamics to ensure agility and better leverage its mandate in support of Member States and other stakeholders. As such, UN Women is seeking a consultancy to support developing and finalizing its strategy outlining its support to accelerating WPS in counter terrorism engagement, and to deliver specific tasks as outlined below:  

 

 

 

 

Deberes y responsabilidades

  1. Develop and Finalize UN Women’s strategy on supporting the acceleration of WPS commitments in counter terrorism engagement:
  • Review existing policy briefs and programmatic notes on CT and PVE.
  • Carry out meetings with relevant stakeholders at the global, regional and country level working on counter terrorism, counter violent extremism, and/or preventing violent extremism to foster a better understanding of the gaps and needs for effective gender mainstreaming in CT efforts including the strengthening of inclusive processes.
  • Carry out consultations with UN Women community of practice and focal points overseeing programming in contexts impacted by terrorism and violent extremism.  
  • Conduct a desk review of existing policies on gender, CT and PVE.  
  • Map current and previous CT and PVE initiatives led and/or in partnership with UN Women.
  • Hold a workshop discussion with UN Women’s community of practice (in-person and online).

 

  1. Develop a gender responsiveness approaches tool-kit annex:
  • Informed by the consultations and review above, the expert will develop a gender responsiveness approaches check list for stakeholders to ensure gender responsive initiatives and/or services provision.
  • The annex(es) will be aimed at internal and external partners aiming to strengthen gender responsive and inclusive aspects of their work in support of the UN CT agenda and their international obligations in upholding women’s rights while countering-terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

 

The Expert will be working closely with the Peace and Security team in HQ including the technical, communication, and operations team members. 

Deliverables

  • Workplan detailing the following: desk review, mapping exercise, consultative meetings, validation processes and drafting tasks
  • Desk review and mapping exercise
  • Series of meetings and consultations with stakeholders.
  • Advance draft CT Strategy and gender toolkit.
  • Two-day consultation workshops with UN Women’s community of practice.
  • Validation meeting with reference group on comprehensive brief/toolkit document
  • Final outcome: UN Women global strategy on gender responsive approaches to Countering Terrorism

 

All products are considered final deliverable after the approval of the reporting officer.  

Key Performance Indicators

  • Expert knowledge of women, peace and security (WPS) and terrorism issues.
  • Expert knowledge of policy development and Strategy preparation
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong coordination and organizational skills.
  • Good planning, goal setting and prioritization for policy development.
  • Excellent drafting skills.
  • Strong inter-personal skills, communicate effectively with staff at all level of the organization.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy, comfortable with handling external relationships at all level.
  • Ability to work in a highly pressured environment.
  • Strong sense of responsibility, confidentiality and accountability.

Competencias

 

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:

  • Knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues in the context of terrorism and violent extremism.
  • Strong knowledge of women’s rights, women’s rights networks and human rights concerns related to counter terrorism are essential. Knowledge of latest developments in the women, peace and security agenda, preventing and countering violent extremism.
  • Significant past publications/studies/work on the thematic area is required.
  • Overarching knowledge of the UN’s frameworks on counter terrorism and related inter-governmental processes are an advantage.
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills; and
  • Experience with event management and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with UN experts, technical practitioners and other team members.
  • Relative knowledge and understanding of UN system is an asset.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

 

Education and certification:

 

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender studies, development, political studies, peace and security studies, international law, or a related field is required.

 

Experience:

 

  • A minimum of 10 years of experience working on gender and human rights issues in the context of peace and security, counter terrorism, and policy-development efforts.
  • Experience in supporting gender equality and women's empowerment.
  • Demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating events and activities.
  • Experience working with UN in-country is desirable.
  • Experience working with the UN system is an asset.

 

Language Requirements:

 

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.