UN WOMEN Jobs - 72868- International Consultant (SCR 1325 NAP)

International Consultant (SCR 1325 NAP) - SSA

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kabul and home-based, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Jun-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 working days (23 days home based and 22 days in Kabul)

Languages Required :

English

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

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women 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 center of all its efforts, 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.

UN Women is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s human rights in Afghanistan. Staff and consultants of UN Women Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized. Respect for diversity and human dignity is required, as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues and partners.

UN Women Afghanistan Country Office (UN Women ACO) is structured to ensure greater cohesion between the programme areas through three pillars: Eliminating Violence Against Women Pillar (EVAWP), Coordination and Advocacy Pillar (CAP), and Political and Economic Empowerment Pillar (PEEP).

UN Women has partnered with Department of Human Rights and Women’s International Affairs(DHRWIA) of MoFA since mid-2013 to develop the Afghanistan National Action Plan (NAP) on SCR 1325 and its implementation modalities. The NAP was launched by H.E. President of Afghanistan in June 2015. The NAP is organized in 4 pillars, 9 objectives and 39 indicators. The four broad pillars of the NAP are: 1) Participation, 2) Protection, 3) Prevention and 4) Relief and Recovery. The implementation period of the NAP is from 2016-2023 where the lead and support agencies from within the government have been identified to implement the NAP.

While the initial responsibility for implementation of the NAP remains with the government of Afghanistan, many national and international stakeholders are/have been engaged in supporting the implementation of SCR 1325/Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the country. Often these interventions have been scattered and uncoordinated. The newly reactivated WPS-WG, coordinated by UN Women, has been one of the efforts to strengthen coordination, thereby, facilitating synergy amongst the stakeholders. As per the Self-reliance Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF), the implementation of the NAP 1325 officially starts in the first half of 2016. However, the various activities being implemented by the government entities are already contributing to the implementation of the NAP 1325. Recently, the government has been working to re-cost the four pillars of the NAP and is expected to be finalized with Ministry of Finance. For this purpose, UN Women Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) in collaboration with DHRWIA has developed a status report to get a better understanding of the implementation of NAP 1325 to track the progress, identify challenges, foster the exchange of lessons learned and formulate concreate recommendations for effective implementation. For this exercise, 10 out of 39 indicators in NAP 1325 were selected from all four pillars. Furthermore, UN Women ACO is committed to support the line ministries to raise awareness on the NAP, improve capacities for data collection and templates for reporting and refine the indicators making sure they are measurable and related to the set targets. UN Women ACO also stands committed to support the line ministries in finalizing realistic budget that corresponds to activities in the NAP 1325.

UN Women ACO would like to hire an International Consultant to undertake this exercise to help the government to meet its obligation re NAP 1325 implementation and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

Deliverable 1: # of 29 indicators are defined, targets set and baseline data collected.

In coordination with MoFA and consultation with relevant responsible ministry/directorate and other relevant organizations, the incumbent refines 29 indicators and ensures they are measurable and relevant to the concrete targets. In continuation of 2016 exercise, the incumbent helps MoFA to establish baseline and set targets for the remaining 29 indicators of NAP-1325, develops templates for monitoring, data collection and reporting of the NAP as well as producing the implementation status Annual Report of NAP 1325.

Key activities:

Working closely with DHRWIA in MoFA, define the indicators, where needed with relevant responsible ministry of the indicator.
Collect baseline data for the remaining 29 indicators, including listing all sources of information.
Develop user-friendly templates for monitoring, data collection and reporting on NAP implementation (a template was developed in 2016 and it could be further standardized in consultation with MoFA).

Tentative Timeframe: 22 working day.

Deliverables 2: Two training sessions and one high level discussion workshop are conducted for the government NAP focal points and government officials.

Key activities:

In consultation with MoFA and relevant responsible ministry develop training modules and conduct capacity building trainings for the relevant government staff, including Directors of Policy and Planning on NAP 1325, related resolutions, particularly on responsibilities of lead ministries under NAP (including data collection for monitoring and reporting based on the NAP Indicators) to effectively implement NAP 1325.
Conduct training for the NAP focal points and representatives of the lead implementing agencies on NAP (we need to make sure that the NAP focal points and representatives of the lead implementing agencies understand their obligations and responsibility under NAP both in terms of implementation and reporting on NAP).
Conduct a session with NAP Focal Points on the M&E of the NAP and data collection procedures based on NAP.
Under the guidance of DHRWIA, lead and facilitate a high-level meeting with senior government officials such as deputy ministers and Director Generals of the lead implementing agencies under NAP (including members of the NAP Steering Committee) to explain their obligations and responsibilities under NAP both in terms of implementation and reporting.

Tentative Timeframe: 6 working days including preparation.

Deliverable 3: With assistance and support of DHRWIA of MoFA, develop, revise and finalize the annual NAP 1325 implementation status report.

Key Activities:

Work closely with DHRWIA of MoFA and provide technical support in development, revision and finalization of the annual NAP 1325 status report;
Support DHRWIA of MoFA in organizing a NAP focal points meeting for sharing and validation of the NAP 1325 status report.

Tentative Timeframe: 17 working days.

Competencies

Proven knowledge about gender issues specifically Women, Peace and Security (WPS)/1325 situation/agenda in Afghanistan;
Proven coordination and management skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and contribute to a team environment of respect, recognition, and mutual accountability;
Demonstrated experience on SCR 1325 and working with government, preferably in Afghanistan;
Excellent inter-personal and general communication skills;
Must be self-starter with excellent demonstrated teamwork skills;
Strong and proven integrity and analytical skills;
Understanding of UN Women/UN procedures, rules and regulations an asset;
Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles and projects.
Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UN Women Afghanistan.
A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations.
Essential computer skills – familiarity with Microsoft Word programs, internet, e-mail.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in political science, human rights, development cooperation, gender studies, women’s rights, public administration, or other related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of progressively relevant professional working experience, in the fields of WPS; Human Rights; Development Coordination; Gender/Women’s Rights; or Public Administration.
Demonstrated experience of working with donors, coordination between government agencies, donors, the international community and civil society.
Experience of working in government institutions and civil society an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluent spoken and written English; knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu an asset.