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's Peace, Security and Humanitarian Section is responsible for providing technical support to UN Women Country Offices in a number of areas, including: conflict prevention and peacebuilding, justice sector and security reform, promoting women's political participation and mainstreaming gender issues into governance reforms. It has global components but is grounded in country-level activities. The Section supports UN Women to fulfill its coordination mandate in the area of peace and security and UN system efforts to promote improved monitoring and reporting on the implementation of global commitments on women and peace and security, including as set out in Beijing Platform for Action and in Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000), and subsequent resolutions and relevant Statements by the President of the Security Council.

In a bid to enhance the participation and leadership of women of Africa in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Africa as envisioned by Agenda 2063, the African Union Commission, through the Office of the African Union Commission (AUC) Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security and UN Women are undertaking a project, with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany on “Women’s Leadership Initiative for Stability in Africa” for the period 2017 to 2021. It aims to operationalise the “African Women Leaders Network” (AWLN), an initiative that seeks to enhance the role and leadership of women in the transformation of Africa, in line with Agenda 2063 and the Global Sustainable development Agenda 2030.

The African Union Permanent Observer Mission at the United Nations in New York will support the rollout of the project’s implementation. Moreover, the project will ensure, the AWLN is supported with the necessary coordination and administrative structures to facilitate its sustainability, including through strengthening of the Office of the AU Permanent Observer to the UN in New York. For this purpose, the AUC and UN Women seek to recruit a Policy Analyst on Women, Peace and Security to support the implementation of the project. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Peace, Security and Humanitarian Section at UN Women Headquarters in New York and work in close consultation with the Office of the AUC Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security in Addis Ababa and the AU Representative at the United Nations in New York. The incumbent will be based in the AU Permanent Observer Mission in New York.

Provide policy analysis support on women, peace and security related to the African Union Commission  (AUC):

• Analyze, research and review policies on women, peace and security as they relate to the AU Commission and AU Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, New York;
• Provide policy coordination on women, peace and security issues between UN Women, the AU Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, the Peace and Security Council, the Africa Governance Architecture, the Women, Gender and Development Directorate and other relevant departments on the overall Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Agenda of the African Union Commission;
• Carry out routine policy analysis of trends and priorities as regards peace and security in the African region;
• Draft policy briefs and reports on the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) initiative and women, peace and security issues in Africa more broadly.

Provide partnership building and advocacy support:

• Serve as Liaison and Focal Person for the AWLN at the AU Permanent Observer Mission in New York and facilitate, inter alia, the participation of women leaders to various high-level events to enhance their visibility and exposure both in New York and in Addis Ababa;
• Provide technical inputs in increasing the visibility of the AWLN, including its Steering Committee, National Chapters, and Groups of Friends, by coordinating the preparation and distribution of the Network newsletter, and supporting AWLN’s representation in the media, including social media platforms;
• Organize advocacy and visibility events in New York for the network membership;
• Support the activities of the AWLN New York Group of Friends (GoF) including by assisting with the organization of the GoF’s periodic meetings and thematic discussions, and of fundraising and advocacy events;
• Provide advocacy support on women, peace and security issues with African Union Member States.

Provide coordination support to the AWLN and other initiatives:

• Provide coordination support to the implementation of activities of the AWLN, including the preparation of solidarity missions, the establishment of women’s platforms for peaceful elections, and convening of thematic discussions on women, peace and security;
• Identify and facilitate the organization of intergenerational dialogue opportunities bringing together senior women leaders and young women leaders for mutual learning and experiences sharing;
• Facilitate the organization of annual meetings of the AWLN Steering Committee and support follow up activities as required for the implementation of the AWLN workplan, the AWLN communications, information sharing and knowledge management strategies, and the operationalization of the AWLN Secretariat;
• Provide quarterly reports on the activities of the ALWN;
• Assist the Special Envoy during her missions in New York, including coordinating visits with all relevant parties, and accompanying the Special Envoy on field missions and produce mission reports.

Provide knowledge management and communication support:

• Disseminate information on the activities of the Network and WPS activities in the region.
• Assist in the development of communication materials and knowledge products related to the Network.

Provide any other support as requested by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Quality and timeliness of policy briefs, background papers and other research related documents;
• Timely submission of information on trends and priorities related to Women, Peace and Security;
• Timely organization, coordination and facilitation of meetings, and advocacy events, as per workplan;
• Timely coordination and technical support of the AWLN network;
• Increased awareness of opportunities for engagement of African Member States in Women, Peace and Security agenda;
• Improved global visibility of women’s leadership in the African region.

Core values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework: 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:

• Ability to analyze and identify key issues on women’s participation in peacebuilding and propose recommendations on course of actions to enhance the role for women in leadership;
• Knowledge of women’s movements and exposure to Women, Peace and Security issues, including in conflict and post-conflict situations;
• Ability to formulate policy advice, position papers and reports; Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats, using appropriate IT functionality;
• Ability to work in a stressful environment; Ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, respond to competing demands and work under pressure of frequent, multiple and tight deadlines;
• Ability to speak and write in a clear manner and to handle situations with calm and discernment;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education:

• Master`s degree (or equivalent) gender studies,  conflict and peace studies, political science, international development,  or any related discipline.
• A first-level university degree with  additional 2 years of qualifying experience in gender and women issues may also be considered.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of work experience on gender, peace and conflict issues, networking and partnership;
• Exposure to international organizations with strong understanding of AU mission, objectives, rules and regulations and its working partnership with the United Nations;
• Experience in knowledge management and in engaging in policy advocacy and development is desired;
• Familiarity with the UN system and Intergovernmental processes in New York, experience in inter-agency coordination and previous experience working on gender equality issues is preferred.

Languages:

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

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

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.