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 centre of all its efforts, the 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. It also contributes to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities.

Many countries in the region have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the corresponding Optional Protocol (CRPD), the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the Continental Plan of Action of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities. Several women’s rights instruments also specifically mention the needs of women and girls with disabilities, including General Recommendation 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Committee, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Protocol of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women, and the Southern Africa Development Cooperation Gender Policy. The government has since initiated measures to ensure that the embedded principles and rights are implemented.

Despite the wider adoption of international, regional, and national instruments guaranteeing the rights of women and girls with disabilities, significant gaps remain in implementation. Information and data on women and girls with disabilities is limited in Eastern & Southern Africa (ESA), and their specific needs are not always addressed in initiatives promoting women’s empowerment. Women and girls with disabilities in ESA are more likely to experience gender-based violence, have less access to education and economic opportunities, and are excluded from the political system.

Aligned to the UN Women Global Strategic Plan, the global strategy on empowerment of women with disabilities and the ESARO recent mapping study on ‘Discrimination faced by Women with Disabilities in ESAR” covering Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, and as part of the UN Women participation in the the Global UNPRPD joint programme on COVID-19, UN Women ESARO in partnership with the UN Women HQ and partner agencies is intending to undertake research and make available knowledge products to guide the policy advocacy and program on disabilities inclusion with focus on COVID-19 response.

UN Women envisions a world where societies are free of gender-based discrimination, where women and men have equal opportunities, where the comprehensive economic and social development of women and girls is ensured so that they can lead the change that they want to see, where gender equality and women’s empowerment are achieved, and where women’s rights are upheld in all efforts to further development, human rights, peace and security. This vision is reflected in UN Women Strategic Plan (2018-2021), Africa Strategy (AS) and East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) Strategic Note (2018-2021) which, among other things, stipulate and prioritizes a results-based management (RBM) approach for monitoring, reporting and evaluation to track progress of the strategies, using the indicators presented in the Development Results Framework (DRF) and in the Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Framework (OEEF). Monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems were developed and an integrated Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Plan (MERP) is used as the calendar of major knowledge management, monitoring, evaluation and research activities that specifies priorities for the region. The Africa Strategy has 3 priority projects, each led by a Regional Office. 

ESARO provides programmatic support and oversight to Multi and Country Offices (M/COs) and collaborates with regional institutions to achieve the objectives. UN Women Regional Office for East and Southern Africa is recruiting a national consultant to help support national and regional Organizations of Persons with Disabilities to develop position papers/lessons learned/checklist on preventing, reducing, and mitigating the effects/impacts of violence. Specifically, the task shall involve development of position papers, background papers and journal papers from comprehensive research and data on women with disabilities. The papers developed under this output will be developed under the leadership of the EVAW Manager and Knowledge Management and Research Specialist and in close consultation other thematic units at ESARO and with organizations and networks of women with disabilities present in East and Southern Africa Region with the intent of providing these organizations and networks the evidence required to advocate for the inclusion of their rights with the UN System and more importantly directly with their Governments in the context of the COVID-19 crisis response and recovery efforts. The consultant shall also be encouraged to liaise with other regional office focal points on disability programming to encourage cross-regional coordination while ensuring that these advocacy products look the same and take similar (with room to design according to regional needs) approaches.

The position will support national and regional organizations working on Women with Disabilities to develop position papers/lessons learned/checklists on preventing, reducing and mitigating the effects/impacts of violence on women with disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the EVAW Manager and closely working with the Regional Knowledge Management and Research Specialist, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

  • Develop a variety of texts, including at least three (3) case studies, success stories, good and promising practices on women with disabilities in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • Undertake a regional analysis on trends and emerging issues related to women with disabilities in East and Southern Africa focusing on COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian context;
  • Support knowledge sharing on women with disabilities within ESARO, including cross-country and cross thematic knowledge sharing through networks and communities of practice;
  • Document good practices on response and recovery efforts by countries in ESA with regard to COVID-19 and women with disabilities;
  • Participate in proof-reading, data-checking, and providing comments on draft chapters and sections of women with disabilities reports and other knowledge products where necessary.

Results/Expected Output:

  • Regional analysis on trends and emerging issues related to women with disabilities in East and Southern Africa focusing on COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian context;
  • Develop at least 3 case studies on women with disabilities in ESAR countries;
  • Hold at least one webinar on the paper developed;
  • Documentation of good practices on response and recovery efforts by countries in ESA with regard to COVID-10 and women with disabilities.

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 women empowerment issues;
  • In depth knowledge of programming focused on persons with disabilities especially women with disabilities;
  • Demonstrated ability to produce clear study reports, case studies and papers and guidance with in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations in English in the relevant field;
  • Ability to hold virtual events including webinars and online seminars;
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships for disabled persons organizations;
  • Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner and delivery quality results.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences or other related fields.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of relevant work experience in development programming particularly programmes on persons with disabilities;
  • Knowledge and experience developing background papers, literature review, data analysis, policy reviews and write ups;
  • Experience in conducting research, using diverse tools including survey monkey, google forms and documentation on gender related issues;
  • Experience and understanding of implementing human rights, gender equality and women's empowerment projects and initiatives.

Language:

  • Fluency in oral and written English.

Note: The shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit evidence of similar papers developed.

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.