Background

UN Women, is grounded in the vision of equality and enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works to eliminate discrimination against women and girls; to empower women; and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. In East and Southern Africa Region, UN Women maintains presence in 13 countries with programme presence in Somalia and Zambia

As the world battles one of the largest health emergencies resulting from COVID 19 that has affected over 25 million and killed over 800,000 people, effective and consistent engagement of women and girls at all levels remains a challenge. This is despite that fact that the crisis is already affecting women and girls disproportionately due to pre-existing inequalities. Gendered implications are already being seen, and whilst early evidence suggests that fatality rates are higher amongst men than women, the socio-economic impact on most at-risk women are already being recorded, from exacerbating violence against women, sexual abuse for girls especially in displaced and overcrowding settings to decreasing women’s livelihoods and resilience strategies

To minimize the spread and start the recovery path, an all-inclusive and gender sensitive approach is needed at regional, national and community levels. To Build Back Better, communities, particularly women and girls should play a major role and be at the canter of response and recovery given their responsibilities in hygiene matters, caring for the families including the sick, educating children and handling of household affairs among others.

According to a guidance note by CEDAW, “Governments, multilateral institutions, the private sector and other actors should ensure women’s equal representation, including through women’s rights organisations, meaningful participation and leadership in the formulation of COVID-19 response and recovery strategies, including social and economic recovery plans, at all levels and recognize women as significant agents for societal change in the present and post COVID-19 period” This is in line with the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS:2016) commitment which called for  gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights to become pillars of humanitarian action as well as increased programming to enable women and girls to take on roles as leaders and decision-makers.

To strengthen the engagement of women and girls in COVID-19 response and recovery including those living with disabilities, UN Women ESAR in collaboration with other UN agencies (UNHCR, UNFPA, OCHA etc) is planning for two major activities:

  • the first one is to hold a regional forum that will provide an opportunity for women and girls to voice their concerns, needs and capacities crucial for an all-inclusive response and recovery from COVID-19;
  • the second activity involves organizing for a webinar on the impacts of COVID-19 on refugee and IDP women and girls;
  • Conduct a rapid survey of impact on COVID-19 on women and girls including those in refugee camps and to identify ways in which they can effectively engage in recovery interventions.

To achieve these, UN Women ESARO seeks the services of an international consultant to support in the planning and organizing of these activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Undertake desk review to gather data, trends and pattern of various forms of violence, hardships and discrimination faced by women during COVID and provide an analysis in collaboration with other UN entities and key INGOs;
  • In consultation with UNHCR, UNFPA, OCHA and other key stakeholders, develop an online survey tool and other relevant methods to gather information on the impact of COVID 19 on women and girls including those in refugee camps and ways in which they can effectively engage in recovery interventions;
  • Synthesis the survey and provide summary of key findings;
  • Work with UNHCR, UNFPA, OCHA and other stakeholders to organize and hold an online regional dialogue with women’s organizations including those in refugee camps to identify ways in which women and girls can effectively engage in COVID 19 response and recovery;
  • In consultation with relevant stakeholders, organize and hold a webinar to disseminate the survey on the impacts of COVID-19 on women and girls including those in refugee camps;
  • Develop a regional policy brief focusing on effective engagement of women and girls in COVID-19 recovery.

Deliverables:

  • Inception report on methodology of tool and administration of the webinars;
  • Desk research and survey report identifying key impacts of COVID-19 on women and girls and pathways for recovery;
  • Report from Regional Dialogue forum with analysis and recommendations;
  • Report from the webinar on impacts of COVID-19 on refugee women and girls;
  • A policy brief based on the desk research, survey findings, regional forum and webinar;
  • Key Messages for advocacy materials around women engagement in COVID response and recovery;
  • Submission of final report of the two activities.

Work Schedule:

  • Desk research to capture data, trends and analysis;
  • Development and finalization of the survey tool in consultation with the team and relevant stakeholders;
  • Administration of tool, synthesising of the report ;
  • Organize and hold regional forum and webinar in consultation with relevant UN entities and other key stakeholders;
  • Developing policy brief and final report;
  • Develop a power point presentation with key findings and recommendations;
  • Key messages for advocacy materials.

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:

  • In-depth knowledge of gender equality, humanitarian action, conflict and disaster risk management;
  • Demonstrated ability to produce clear reports and guidance with in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations in English in the relevant field;
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
  • Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner and delivery quality results.
  • Knowledge of policies and legal frameworks on gender equality, Disaster and Humanitarian crisis.

Required Skills and Experience

Education requirement:

  • Advanced Degree in the field of, Disaster Risk Management, Humanitarian Affairs, Conflict Management, Social Sciences, Gender Equality, Program Management, or a closely related field.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of experience in the development sector preferably in Disaster, Humanitarian, Conflict Prevention and Gender issues;
  • Experience in programming on initiatives that address the issues affecting women and girls in humanitarian settings;
  • Experience in organizing and facilitating virtual events including policy dialogues and knowledge events at the regional level;
  • Experience of research on gender equality and women’s empowerment is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English.

Note:

The consultant should take note that all UN Women knowledge products are taken through a plagiarism check and must comply with the global standards of below 15% in line with UN Women quality assurance process.

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.