Background

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women 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 leads and coordinates United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) is one of the five Independent Commissions established in terms of Section 245 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31). Section 246 of the Constitution and the Gender Commission Act outlines the mandate of the Commission which among others is to; monitor and ensure implementation of the gender equality provisions in the Constitution, investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender; receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate; to recommend prosecution for criminal violations of rights relating to gender; and to secure appropriate redress where rights relating to gender have been violated.  The Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act Section 8(1) further provides for the ZGC to convene and host a National Gender Forum annually to discuss or deliberate any issues related to the Commission' s mandate and functions. It is against this background that the ZGC will host a National Gender Forum on the 17 and 18 October 2018. The proposed theme for the 2018 Gender Forum is 'Review of the 2018 harmonized Elections from a gender perspective; What went wrong and strategies for 2023’.

 

UN Women Strategic Note 2016-2020 states that CO will provide technical and financial support to the operationalization of the Gender Commission for it to exercise its oversight role and mandate.  Within this framework UN Women seeks to support procurement of a consultants to develop the following background paper on Women in Decision Making : Public Sector Participation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist, the Consultant will have the following responsibilities, which are to be implemented in close collaboration and consultation with the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission:

  • Draft a background paper on Women in Decision Making: Public Sector Participation
  • Present the paper at the Gender Forum.
  • Facilitate the round table discussions on   Women in Decision Making: Public Sector Participation.
  • Prepare a comprehensive paper incorporating inputs from the forum round table discussions.

 

Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver the following:

  • A comprehensive draft paper to be presented at the Gender Forum

A comprehensive final paper consolidating inputs from the Gender Forum

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:

 

The assignment requires the services of a consultant with experience in organising high-level capacity building initiatives and facilitating at workshops. The successful consultant will have the following expertise:

  • Strong and sound knowledge of women’s rights including national, regional and international human rights and governance frameworks;
  • Experience of working for the promotion of gender equality and women´s empowerment an asset;
  • Experience in public sector administration an added advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced degree in Public Policy and Administration, Political Science, Development Studies or a related discipline.

A minimum of 7 years of  relevant experience