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.

In efforts to advance peace, stability and inclusive development in Africa, UN Women and the African Union commission, through the office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security and with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany have been implementing a project on women’s leadership initiative for stability in Africa, which was launched in December 2016. Under this project, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) was launched in June 2017 in New York.

The AWLN seeks to enhance the leadership of African women in the transformation of the continent, in line with the Africa Agenda 2063 and the Global Sustainable Development agenda 2030. AWLN serves as a continental platform to galvanize women’s leadership towards lasting peace and sustainable development, the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment in all sectors and at all levels, building on, and working with, existing women networks. AWLN also serves as a practical instrument to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) at regional level. The network seeks to increase women’s participation in decision-making through peer learning and mentoring, enhanced solidarity, advocacy and capacity-building among other strategies. 

To date, the African Women Leaders Network continues to grow through the national chapters at country level who contribute to expanding and operationalizing the network. AWLN activities and advocacy are based on the Network’s six pillars: peace and security, governance, finance, agriculture, youth and social mobilization, which are advanced through the Networks (now) 25 National Chapters.

In November 2021, the Network will host a Third Forum. For this purpose, the AUC and UN Women seek to recruit a Report Writer and Rapporteur to support with developing three documents:

  • A brief on AWLN’s work since its inception (to be finalized before the Forum).
  • An outcome document to be read at the end of the Forum
  • A short report of the Forum’s outcome.
  • A comprehensive outcome report of the Third Forum, highlighting the Forum’s results and synthesis of recommendations.  

Although interpreters for English and French will be recruited by UN Women for the workshop separately, the report writer is requested to be fluent in both English and French to comprehend inputs provided during the meeting and take substantive notes. The recording of the workshop’s session will be also available for the report writer in case some cross-reference check is needed. The incumbent will report to the Policy Specialist on Gender and Mediation at UN Women Headquarters in New York and work in close consultation with the AU Representative’s Office at the United Nations in New York, and the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security in Addis Ababa. The incumbent will be home-based.

Duties and Responsibilities

UN Women is seeking to hire a consultant who will provide knowledge management and communication support by:

The key tasks and deliverables of the consultancy are listed here in chronological order:

  • Review previous AWLN Reports and published material from (2017 – 2021) to be provided by UN Women and the African Union.
  • Draft brief on AWLN Activities, Results and Impact - 4 pages long. The draft should be presented in a way that is accessible to a non-technical audience and that captures the main results of AWLN since 2017.
  • Final AWLN brief in English integrating inputs provided by UN Women.
  • Preparation for the Third Forum which includes the design report template and outline to be approved by UN Women.
  • Comprehensive notes of inputs provided during the Forum taken.
  • A brief outcome document to be read at the closing ceremony
  • Summary report (2-3 pages) of the Forum to be submitted a day after the Forum.
  • Draft outcome report in English of the Third Forum including decisions taken and recommendations made.
  • Final outcome report in English that includes inputs provided by UN Women on the draft report. 

    Provide any other support as requested by supervisor.

    Key Performance Indicators:

  • Quality and timeliness of reports, background papers and other research related documents;
  • Adherence to all UN Women operational rules and regulations;
  • Improved global visibility of women’s leadership in the African region.

Competencies

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 Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

    Functional Competencies:

  • Strong understanding of AU mission, objectives, rules and regulations and its working partnership with the United Nations;
  • 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;
  • Discretion and sound judgement in applying expertise to resolve complex and/or sensitive issues;
  • 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A Masters or higher-level degree in Women and Gender Studies, International Development or a similar field related to political and economic development, etc.
  • A first-level university degree with the additional 2 years of qualifying experience in gender and women issues may also be considered.

    Experience:

  • A minimum of 7 years’ relevant experience in the field of international development, gender equality and women’s and human rights.
  • Exposure to international organizations with strong understanding of AU mission, objectives, rules and regulations and its working partnership with the United Nations.
  • Demonstrated experience in writing high quality documents and reports.
  • Previous experience with UN agencies, funds or programmes, and/or at international organizations is considered an advantage.
  • Experience in knowledge management and in engaging in policy advocacy and development is desired.
  • Excellent command of written English.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner; ability to organize work efficiently and deal with multiple tasks.
  • 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.
  • Previous experience working in Africa is an asset.

  • Languages:

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

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment. 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.