UN WOMEN Jobs - 91675- International Consultant: Senior Gender Adviser to

International Consultant: Senior Gender Adviser to the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission to the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2020

Application Deadline :

29-May-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP 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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

South Sudan has been in conflict since December 2013, shortly after independence in July 2011, after years of liberation struggle from Sudan. To resolve the current crisis, the parties to the conflict signed a peace agreement in August 2015, ‘Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan’ (ARCSS). A transitional government, the Transitional Government of South Sudan (TGoNU) was constituted by the parties to the conflict at the signing of the Peace Agreement.

However, the implementation of the 2015 ARCSS was affected by the July 2016 fighting which erupted at the Presidential Palace forcing key members of the opposition to flee Juba and leading to the resumption of the war in the country. This required the revitalization of the peace process and a new agreement, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed on September 12th, 2018. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) was established on 22nd February 2020 with the swearing in of the First Vice President and four Vice Presidents. On 12th March 2020, the President appointed the members of the Council of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the RTGoNU. This marked the end of the Pre-Transitional Period and the beginning of the Transitional Period, which is expected to last for thirty-six (36) months.

Following the signing of the R-ARCSS, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) was reconstituted in November 2018 pursuant to Chapter VII of the R-ARCSS. The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) is responsible for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the Agreement and the mandate and tasks of the RTGoNU, including the adherence of the Parties to the agreed timelines and implementation schedule. In case of non-implementation of the mandate and tasks of the RTGoNU, or other serious deficiencies, the RJMEC shall recommend appropriate corrective action to the RTGoNU.

The RJMEC oversees the work of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), the Economic and Financial Management Authority (EFMA), the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board (SDSRB), the National Elections Commission (NEC), and all other transitional institutions and mechanisms created by the R-ARCSS. The reconstituted CTSAMVM, EFMA, the SDSRB, the NEC, CTRH and other institutions and mechanisms created by the R-ARCSS shall present regular reports to RJMEC for this purpose.

UN Women has facilitated women, peace and security interventions in South Sudan since the outbreak of the current conflict, including women’s mobilization to develop a 7 Point Agenda to influence the Peace Agreement, supported women’s participation and engagement in negotiating the Peace Agreement to ensure the inclusion of gender sensitive provisions, and has supported the government to develop a national plan of action on UNSR 1325. UN Women with support of Sweden, has also previously supported the placement of a senior Gender Adviser within RJMEC to ensure that the gender provisions of the Peace Agreement are adhered to, implemented and reported, and that accountability mechanisms are established for those provisions. UN Women continues to support the engagement of the signatory to the Peace Agreement representing women, the Women’s Bloc of South Sudan, Women Coalition and other women peace networks, including the South Sudan Women Peace Network, to effectively engage with all the implementation arrangements and structures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical assistance and strategic partnerships:

Provide systematic guidance and support to the RJMEC Secretariat to ensure implementation of commitments to promoting women’s meaningful participation and representation, addressing women’s needs in conflict resolution and prevention efforts including at community level, and build strategic links with the work being done under international frameworks on women, peace and security issues;
Provide advice to the RJMEC Chairperson and senior management on women, peace and security issues and mainstreaming gender into the work of RJMEC secretariat;
Serve as the RJMEC primary liaison person to the RTGoNU on gender issues and the pre-transitional and transitional institutions and mechanisms created by the Agreement. Also assess the implementation of gender provisions, integration of gender-related considerations and compliance with the Agreement by the RTGoNU and by the pre-transitional and transitional institutions and mechanisms created by the agreement; report on the work of these institutions and mechanisms from a gender perspective to the RJMEC leadership; and identify needs for assistance to the institutions and mechanisms as appropriate;
Advise the RJMEC leadership, on challenges and deficiencies in the work of the pre-transitional and transitional institutions from a gender perspective, and identify opportunities for correction, where appropriate. Also, assists in developing strategies and priorities for RJMEC engagement on gender related issues linked to the implementation of the R-ARCSS;
Strengthen and enhance partnership/cooperation/consultation/coordination of the RJMEC Secretariat and key South Sudanese stakeholders with women and gender advocates including UN entities, national, regional and international civil society actors, especially UN Women Regional and South Sudan Country Offices, the AU Liaison Office in South Sudan, the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, as well as South Sudanese women's organizations, to ensure women’s engagement in the implementation of a sustainable peace agreement in South Sudan;
Represent RJMEC at the Women, Peace and Security Working Group meetings;
Identify relevant actors/forums, seize advocacy opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships to facilitate access of South Sudanese women’s organizations to peace building forums organized or supported by RJMEC, IGAD, the African Union, the United Nations, and/or other relevant stakeholders;
Facilitate and support the participation of South Sudanese women, in all implementation institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement, and by closely collaborating with RJMEC thematic advisers on questions of women’s representation, inclusion and engagement in the institutions, mechanisms and processes specified by the peace agreement;
In coordination with the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, liaise with international partners on relevant gender specific issues, and collaborate with external subject matter experts and consultants, where necessary;
Provide gender expertise and training to R-ARCSS mechanisms as requested and encourage women’s involvement in such mechanisms and institutions;
Facilitate the participation of South Sudanese women, and the inclusion of their needs, concerns and perspectives in the proposed legal, security and policy reforms, permanent constitution making process, and transitional justice, accountability, reconciliation and healing mechanisms outlined in the R-ARCSS;
Participate in the various RJMEC working committees meeting to ensure the integration of a gender perspective in their work;
Advocate for equitable representation of women and gender expertise in the R-JMEC secretariat and in its working committees;
Liaise with all Thematic Advisors, RJMEC leadership, compile activities report, contribute to reporting requirements of RJMEC to national and international interlocutors as provided for in Chapter VII of the R-ARCSS and contribute to development of RJMEC quarterly and special reports;
Assist the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff (Strategy, Monitoring and Evaluation) with tasks as required.

Policy dialogue and analysis:

Develop with other RJMEC Advisors, working papers, policy analysis and memoranda as shall be required;
Ensure appropriate information flow between RJMEC and relevant stakeholders to promote women’s engagement in the peace process, including through the development of joint statements and press releases;
Facilitate training workshops and sensitization of government, women’s organizations and civil society organizations on effective inclusion and engagement of women in the implementation process of the peace agreement.

Deliverables:

A work plan prepared, indicating proposed activities and expected results, indicators, outcomes, timeframe or proportion of time to be devoted to each. The work plan will be reviewed every three months and adjusted as necessary in consultation with the RJMEC Chief of Staff and the UN Women Country representative.

Reporting:

Gender Policy Briefs from implementation of the R-ARCSS and in consultations with women peace networks/groups, Women Coalition and the Women’s Bloc of South Sudan, to inform the RJMEC Monthly Plenary Session;
Press releases developed from the RJMEC Plenary Session on behalf of women peace networks, Women Coalition, the Women’s Bloc of South Sudan, highlighting key achievements and gaps in the gender implementation of the Peace Agreement;
Quarterly monitoring report on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the peace process covering all progress and results in integrating a gender equality perspective in the implementation and monitoring of the peace agreement. The report will summarize lessons related to achieving gender equality results and recommendations for future action;
Reports on activities and accomplishments (monthly report on achievements; six-monthly accomplishment report on progress, issues and recommendations including adjustment to the work plan; year-end and/or end-of-contract report that adds to the six-monthly report a summary of lessons learned and recommendations related to the advisory function (e.g. lessons and recommendations related to ways of working, priorities, mechanisms).

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity;
Integrity;
Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

Effective Communication;
Inclusive Collaboration;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Accountability;
Creative Problem Solving;
Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent analytical skills especially on Peace Agreements;
Excellent knowledge and experience on women, peace and security;
Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, law, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required.

Experience:

At least 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in women, peace and security;
Experience on negotiating and working on Peace Agreements is an asset;
Previous experience working in a similar position is an asset;
Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies, bilateral partners and UN agencies.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;
Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

UN WOMEN 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.

Application Information:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment, scan your documents into one single file.

Qualified women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Note:
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.