UN WOMEN Jobs - 104401- Consultant to Develop Africa Strategy 2.0

Consultant to Develop Africa Strategy 2.0

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Home-Based with possible travel

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Feb-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English French

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

The UN Women Africa Strategy 2018-2021 was the first-ever Africa wide Strategy mobilizing the three UN Women regional offices (East and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa and North Africa) to lead on distinct cross-regional initiatives such as COTLA, AWLN and Migration and -as articulated in their respective Regional and Country Strategies- to enhance synergies, coordination and learning for promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls on the continent.
The Strategy recognized that the continent encompasses States with different political, social, cultural and economic contexts. However, the strategy took into cognizant that there exist common opportunities, challenges and partners in the realm of gender equality. The interplay between this diversity and commonality formed the basis of the Strategy. The approach is to leverage on the shared experiences between the three regions, while -at the same time- recognizing the need for diverse actions to respond to the different contexts they face.
The first ever Africa Strategy was derived from the UN Women Global Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and was aligned to the AU Agenda 2063 and the Global Agenda 2030. Its uniqueness allowed for the three UNW regional offices to better align, integrate their technical, advisory and policy support in partnership with Member States, Regional Organizations including the Africa Union, the Economic Commission for Africa, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Civil Society organizations and other regional and sub regional structures and institution across the African continent. It further allows each of the Regions to be the Center of Excellence in respective thematic areas ( COTLA, AWLN, Migration), thereby serving as hubs for knowledge and technical expertise on gender equality and women’s empowerment on the continent.
The strategy placed women at the center of the continent’s transformation, articulated UN Women’s objectives and proposed actions towards supporting the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, focusing on its First Ten-Year Plan (2015 - 2025). It was informed by key intergovernmental norms and standards including CEDAW, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and the Maputo Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Rights of Women in Africa, and other commitments ratified by the African Union Member States.

After implementation of the strategy for the first two years, it was taken under a review to examine the progress and effective on the strategy its governance including implementation and overall relevance to the work of UN Women on the continent. The findings will inform the new Africa.2.0 strategy
Also, since the above review, several changes occurred in the institutional environment internally (new global strategic plan, change in senior leadership & new vision, Generation Equality and Action Coalitions) as well as externally (conflicts, climate, trade, legal frameworks, etc.)

UN Women Regional Office in East & Southern Africa (on behalf of all three Regions on the continent) is now seeking an international consultant to work with relevant stakeholders and facilitate the design of UN Women Africa Strategy 2.0 - that will capture the new context, purpose and approaches and help deliver on our common strategic goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, UN Women seeks to contract a consultant to undertake the following tasks.

Lead consultations with the three Regional Directors, Country Reps and relevant personnel on the revival of Africa Strategy 2.0. to collect guidance and ensure ownership of the strategy.
Outline key priorities that need to be addressed and the modalities of addressing these priorities by the three regional offices
Draft a clear Theory of Change that aligns to the three Regional Strategic Notes, GEF mandate and the Global Strategic Plan
Develop a communications plan on awareness creation of the strategy to be validated by the three regions
Conduct consultations with key external stakeholders, including CSOs and Regional Economic bodies for their engagement on the updating and implementation of Africa Strategy 2.0.
Consult internal stakeholders to outline the most efficient and effective governance of & accountability to the implementation of the strategy, including the role of the Addis Liaison Office, and the monitoring and evaluation framework that ensures the results are achieved, reported on and well communicated.

Key Deliverables

Inception report presenting how the consultancy will be conducted to generate the expected results
Internal Consultation Notes summarizing guidance and orientations from RDs and selected Reps.
Priority Log outlining for elements of our SNs that adds value to and benefit from the Africa Strategy
Theory of Change aligned to the three Regional SNs, GEF and the Global Strategic Plan
Strategy Document with and Executive summary and a PPT presentation
Communications & awareness plan validated by the three regions
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan showing how results will be achieved, reported on and evaluated.
External consultation Notes with key external stakeholders, including CSOs and RECs
Governance Structure for efficiency, effectiveness accountability, with emphasis on the role of the Addis Liaison Office,

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

Functional Competencies:

In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues.
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

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in International Development, Human Rights, Law or related field, with a strong expertise in Gender and Governance.
Relevant first level degree with over 10 years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree

Experience

At least 7 years of experience in the development sector preferably in Women’s Rights and Gender Equality with solid facilitating and moderating abilities.
Strong understanding of policy and legal frameworks on gender equality, human rights and gender-responsive Peace & Security programming.
Experience in programming on initiatives that address the issues affecting women and girls including Political participation and Governance.
Experience of working at regional level on gender equality and women’s rights is an added advantage

Language requirements

Excellent written and oral communication skills in both French and English is a requirement given the scope of the assignment

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)