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 Regional Office for the East and Southern Africa in Nairobi has identified a number of sectors and issues as priority for the implementation of the Strategic Note 2018-2021. As per the ESARO strategic note, the office will focus on; (i) leadership and governance, (ii) women’s economic empowerment: WEE, (iii) ending violence against women and (iv) peace, security and humanitarian action. In addition to the above, UN Women also actively participates and contributes to various UN inter-agency processes and collaborates with UN organizations around specific programme areas.

UN Women ESARO is in the third year of implementing the Strategic Note for 2018-2021 and the office has made good progress on the work on WEE. The implementation of the SN is however being affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The global pandemic has affected almost every country in the world and the impact ranges from social, to economic and has been described as a human crisis. While countries across the East and Southern Africa region are in different stages of preparedness, containment, mitigation, and response to the disease itself, the socioeconomic impacts are already deeply felt: the International Labor Organization (ILO) predicts that, due to COVID-19, globally unemployment could rise significantly with women being affected disproportionately because of  the gender division of labour and pre-existing labour market inequalities.

UN Women is recruiting a Socio-economic Advisor who will provide technical leadership in aligning its women’s economic empowerment programme to the new realities consequential of the COVID responses.

Generally, the WEE programme focuses on the economic empowerment of women in ESAR for more inclusive and resilient economies and societies. The programme is oriented to increasing opportunities for women to effectively engage in: (i) sustainable agriculture (climate resilient agriculture, innovative technologies, increasing agriculture inputs for women, access and increased user rights and ownership of land for women farmers); (ii) entrepreneurship including in public procurement, energy and infrastructure sectors; and (iii) decent work (including domestic work) and unpaid care work. 

At regional level ESARO contributes to policy formulation, research and high-level policy dialogues.  ESARO also provides oversight to M/CO on programme development on WEE flagship programmes.

Under the supervision of the Regional Director or Officer in Charge, the Socio-Economic Adviser, based at the Regional Office in Nairobi, is expected to engage proactively to help advance women's economic empowerment in the region and deliver on key functions working in close coordination with the Economic Empowerment section in the Policy Division at UN Women Headquarters. The scope of work of the Socio-Economic Adviser requires experience and in-depth understanding of the trajectories of economic development in the ESAR region; the socio-economic status of women in the region; and entry points for influencing national and regional economic policy making in the phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also requires developing mutually reinforcing partnerships with relevant Regional Organizations, UN organizations, and CSOs.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Analyze and document macro-meso-micro economic trends in the ESAR from a gender perspective reflecting the dynamic context as a result of COVID-19 pandemic;
  • Identify and advise on strategic entry points and emerging areas of work on WEE to mitigate/reduce the impact of COVID-19 on women;
  • Provide advocacy and technical advisory services to UN Women Offices, member states and inter-governmental processes as needed, especially in the context of the COVID response;
  • Guide the undertaking of gender assessment of socio-economic impacts of COVID in the region;
  • Programme development and technical support with a focus on the Women’s Economic Empowerment flagship programmes;
  • Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners; 
  • Prepare analytical reports, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence and talking points;
  • Programme development and technical support with a focus on the Women’s Economic Empowerment flagship programmes;
  • Represent UN Women at inter-governmental and regional meetings on Women's economic empowerment in the region;
  • Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, regional and international actors and development partners in shaping the COVID-19 response and recovery of economies in the East and Southern Africa region;
  • Provide technical advice to country offices in the region to ensure women benefit from macroeconomic measures being put forward by countries to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of Results:

The Socio-Economic Adviser will guide the formulation and implementation efforts of UN Women's Economic Empowerment programmes and initiatives, in the East and Southern Africa Region with particular reference to the COVID impacts.

Deliverables:

  • Provide timely and quality technical advice and support;
  • Ensure leadership in area of expertise in the region;
  • Produce quality reports and other strategic documents drafted and submitted in a timely manner;
  • Ensure regular communication and information flow with other UN Women WEE staff;
  • Produce quality strategic documents delivered in a timely manner;
  • Ensure timely and quality knowledge products;
  • Build strong relationships with various partners and stakeholders;
  • Ensure that UN Women is well represented in important meetings on topics related to expertise;
  • Provide quality mentoring, training, and coaching that supports the improved performance of staff.

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/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

  • Substantive experience and record of accomplishment in the area of Gender and Economics especially on Gender responsive Budget, Gender Responsive Social Protection and women’s entrepreneurship;
  • Demonstrated People Management Skills;
  • Familiarity with the ESARO Region, women's rights organizations and networks in the region and globally;
  • Good knowledge of UN Women and the UN system;
  • Proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, programme development and implementation, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships and mobilize resources.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as economics with specialization in rural development/informal sector/small business development, or agricultural economics, international development, gender, or environmental studies, is required.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing programmes and advocating for women’s economic empowerment in the region;
  • Experience working on climate resilience agriculture and understanding of its relation to women’s economic empowerment and gender equality;
  • Demonstrated experience working with, and building partnerships with regional organizations, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field.

Language:

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

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.