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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women ECO Strategic Notes (2017/2020) and 2018 Annual Work Plan (AWP) focus on supporting the development objectives of the Ethiopia Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP II) (2015/16-2019/20) in relation to Pillar 8 on equity and empowerment as well as being aligned with United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2016 – 2020). The strategic approach and attendant workplan includes UN Women ECO's core principles in leading and promoting coherence within UN system work and supporting regional initiatives given the presence of UN ECA and African Union in Ethiopia. The Country Programme Division under the leadership of the Deputy Country Representative manages the Programme support to Ethiopia in partnership with Government of Ethiopia, regional governments, donors, UN agencies and CSOs to enhance gender equality and empowerment of women in Ethiopia. In its work, UN Women ECO is focusing on four main development result areas: 1) Women supported to lead and participate in decision-making at all levels; 2) Women, especially the poorest and most excluded, are economically empowered and benefit from development; 3) Women and girls live a life free from violence; and 4) Governance and national planning fully reflect accountability for gender equality commitments and priorities.

Anticipating an increased focus on gender and protection in humanitarian settings, UN Women ECO in 2018 started intensifying its engagement with the humanitarian community present in Ethiopia to ensure that initiatives implemented in the country are gender sensitive and responsive to the needs of women and girls.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative and the direct supervision of the Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG) programme Specialist, the consultant will support the implementation of the UN Women health (HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, SRHR and HIV/AIDS GBV) activities across all units, raising awareness and interest in UN Women's work and expertise. She/he will also assist with various communications initiatives, support the UN coordination mechanisms (e.g. UNDAF result group) and enhance the partnerships with CSOs, government and donors on health-related areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assist the team with dialogue and action at the community level in reducing barriers women face to optimal health related to gender discriminatory practice and violence
  • Support the work with health workers and extension workers in psych-social support and management of GBV survivors, including provision of integrated and quality MNCH services to mother and children
  • Research and draft reports, minutes and other document related to HIV/AIDS, SRHR, GBV in relations to UN Women Ethiopia programme
  • Provide technical assistance in development, integration and mainstreaming of appropriate and cost-effective activities in public health, reproductive health and HIV prevention, treatment and care as required by programme staff.
  • Actively participate in the UNAIDS co-sponsor working group and ensure that decisions are implemented as agreed upon.
  • Promote an HIV Do No Harm approach prioritising education and prevention activities.
  • Work closely with UN Women programme staff to identify priority health issues and key data requirements for programme planning and monitoring. 
  • Update and disseminate standard practices and guidelines in public health, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health among all partners.
  • Support the development of a training plan, organise and act as resource person in workshops and training.
  • Share with local and international partners on the ground relevant guidelines and information materials on refugee HIV, reproductive health, general health and nutrition.
  • Promote information sharing on all aspects related to HIV and the UN Women role in the UNAIDS division of labour. 
  • Ensure regular update and share information within Un Women as well as with relevant government, UN and NGO counterparts and donor communities in Ethiopia on the health status and needs of women and girls. 
  • Any other duty as may be required

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:

  • Ethics and Values: Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity
  • Organisational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgement
  • Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative
  • Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relationships 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 behaviour towards others.
  • Conflict Management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards mutually acceptable solutions.
  • Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge

Functional Competencies:

  • Experience and understanding of development, gender equality and women’s empowerment issues
  • Familiarity with public health, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health
  • Effectiveness and proactivity
  • Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance
  • Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Master Degree) in public health or other related fields. Medical degree is an asset.

Experience

  • At least three years of relevant professional experience. Working with refugees or displaced persons experience an advantage. Experience in managing public health programme in development and/or humanitarian settings.
  • Training and/or experience in HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health, Nutrition and/or Community Medicine.
  • Previous experiences of working in coordination with other UN Agencies like UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS etc. as well as CDC and Ministry of Health
  • Proven ability to draft clear, concise and compelling reports and brief
  • Strong computer skills in word processing, PowerPoint and Excel
  • Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.