Antecedentes

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.

The UN Women Liaison Office to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) engages with the AU and its various organs, the United Nations system particularly ECA, regional CSOs and international NGO, as well as the diplomatic community and in particular, delegations to the African Union. Through the office, UN Women provides technical support to member states, the AU and ECA in the adoption, implementation and monitoring of commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) at the regional level, and in accordance with its mandate.

UN Women through its Liaison Office to the AU and ECA provides technical assistance to the African Union Commission departments for the gender responsive development and implementation of regional initiatives. Accordingly, in line with AU Theme of the Year 2022 - “Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent: Accelerate the human capital and social economic development” and existing commitments to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment and opportunities in agri-food systems, UN Women through its Liaison Office to AU and UNECA purpose to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment towards the development of a continental policy framework and strategy on women in agriculture in Africa.

In this regard, UN Women proposes to engage the services of qualified individual consultant to develop a continental policy framework on women in agriculture, accompanying guidelines and implementation strategy. 

 

Description of Responsibilities :

With guidance and overall supervision of the Head of Rural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment of the AU Commission, in close coordination and technical support from UN Women Special Representative to AU and UNECA, and under close supervision from the Liaison Specialist, the Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks;

  • Conduct a desk research on the state of women in agriculture in Africa and develop a baseline study for a continental policy framework and strategy on women in agriculture in Africa.
  • Develop the Policy Framework for Women in Agriculture in Africa, with a particular focus on climate smart agriculture.
  • Develop a guideline and an implementation strategy for the policy framework on women in agriculture in Africa.

Conduct a mapping of existing women in agriculture-related platforms in Africa and identify promising practices and existing partnerships that could inform the formation   of the Continental Platform for African Women in Agriculture (PAWA).

Deberes y responsabilidades

With guidance and overall supervision of the Head of Rural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment of the AU Commission, in close coordination and technical support from UN Women Special Representative to AU and UNECA, and under close supervision from the Liaison Specialist, the Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks;

  • Conduct a desk research on the state of women in agriculture in Africa and develop a baseline study for a continental policy framework and strategy on women in agriculture in Africa.
  • Develop the Policy Framework for Women in Agriculture in Africa, with a particular focus on climate smart agriculture.
  • Develop a guideline and an implementation strategy for the policy framework on women in agriculture in Africa.

Conduct a mapping of existing women in agriculture-related platforms in Africa and identify promising practices and existing partnerships that could inform the formation   of the Continental Platform for African Women in Agriculture (PAWA).

Competencias

Professionalism:

  • Demonstrate solid professional competence and expert knowledge in the area of gender agriculture, climate change and sustainable development.

Teamwork:

  • Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Ethics and Values:

  • Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

  • Be able to communicate easily and effectively, using various communication channels.

Other Relevant Skills

  • The consultant will be required to be computer literate, have excellent writing, analytical and communicative skills and be flexible in terms of working hours.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Acadamic Qualifications/education:

  • Advanced University degree in Gender Studies, Sustainable Development, Agriculture, Climate Change, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Development Studies, Project Planning, Rural Development, or other relevant fields. PhD will be considered an asset.

Experience:

  • Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in designing policy documents at regional or national levels with a special focus on mainstreaming gender into such documents
  • Proven experience in writing comprehensive reports, research and strategies aimed at audience that include policy makers
  • Extensive experience in research development including women in the agriculture sector, climate smart agriculture and climate change.
  • Familiarity with the African Union gender equality related various protocols and policies that address the gender imbalances in agri-food system
  • Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives and other stakeholders.
  • Ability to work as a team player in a complex working environment.
  • Experience in working with regional or multilateral organizations such as the African Union, UN System in the region

Languages Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is key. Knowledge of other AU languages is an asset

Application:

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.)