International Consultant-For the facilitation and rapporteurship of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) 3rd phase launch, planning and coordination Workshop

Contract

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Background

African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) declare “an enabling environment for STI development on the African continent” is one of the pillars for achieving the vision for Agenda 2063.1 AU through STISA hopes to raise Africa’s role in global research, technology development and transfer, innovation and knowledge production.

In this view, the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) was commissioned by UN Women and the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The African Union Commission (AUC) through the AU-Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) and the Education, Science, Technology & Innovation (ESTI) provide technical support to this initiative which aims to train and empower a minimum of 2000 young girls per year aged between 17-25, across Africa to become computer programmers, creators and designers, placing them on track to take up studies and careers in the information, communication and technology (ICT), education and coding sectors. The initiative has two key strategies namely: coding camps and mainstreaming ICT, coding and gender into the national curricula. Moreover, it promotes the implementation of national media campaigns involving role models (e.g. women in ICT, women teachers in schools) and utilizes an on-line platform to enhance networking among the girls, trainers and mentors.

The initial cohort of young girl coders from phase 1 of AGCCI were able to make a number of notable achievements in the ICT sector using the skills they have gained from the regional coding camp (2018-2021). A story book of their individual achievements in developing various innovative digital products that have been positively contributing to the lives of their communities, has been produced and shared among the program stakeholders.

2****. Overview of AGCCI Phase II and Rationale of the Proposed workshop

The planning and coordination workshop is planned to follow the completion of the implementation of the second phase of the AGCCI program from November 2022 to March 2024. The program implementation process has been coordinated at regional level by the UN Women liaison office, AUC and UN partners while the national level implementation was led by the respective UN Women Country Offices in each of the 11 countries (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania) in close collaboration with the three relevant ministries including ministry of Education, ICT and Gender to ensure effective implementation results including the mainstreaming of gender, coding and ICT into the national curricula of the target countries. The three ministries as key implementing partners have been engaged in the planning, coordination, monitoring of national level activities and reporting on results and lessons learned throughout the duration of the project.

Upon completion of the implementation of the 2nd phase, the Government of Belgium has showed its continued commitment to support the AGCCI programme by providing an additional funding of 1.5 million Euros in support of the implementation of the third phase of AGCCI in the five target member states (Burundi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger and Tanzania) and similarly Siemens has shown its commitment to continue funding implementation of AGCCI phase III (in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa) following completion of implementation of AGCCI phase two in the respective target countries . The program is going to continue using a similar programme coordination modality for AGCCI Phase III where at the regional level coordination will be led by UN Women AULO together with the AUC, ITU as well as the UN agency partners.

To this end, building a common understanding among all program stakeholders and developing a joint implementation roadmap is deemed important to ensure effective implementation results as well as ownership of the programme by the target Member States.

It is with this understanding that, the UN Women AULO has proposed to organize a 3-day planning and coordination workshop followed by an official launching ceremony of AGCCI Phase III in Nairobi, Kenya from 19-21 June 2024 which will bring the joint AU-UN technical working group, 30 Ministries focal points (three ministry focal persons from the 10 target countries) and 10 UN Women technical focal points. The proposed workshop aims to take stock of good practices and lessons learned from AGCCI Phase II, sharing of the major findings of the final evaluation of AGCCI Phase II, to develop a joint national action plan for Phase III and to develop a joint coordination and implementation roadmap of the programme in each priority country. Moreover, the workshop will give an opportunity for the government ministry representatives from the target Member States and UN Women focal points to exchange progress, lessons learned and challenges in the efforts being made towards advancing gender and ICT agenda part of their respective national development agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. The facilitator will work under the guidance of the AGCCI Programme Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Programme Associate.
2. The facilitator will submit to UN Women all deliverables within the contract period.
3. UN Women will provide all preparatory documentation in a timely manner and facilitate meetings as needed.
4. UN Women will pay for the lumpsum fees for this assignment as per the signed contractual agreement. And the lump fee shall constitute also the travel related expenses including a return economy ticket, Accommodation and other costs, if necessary, like dinner, etc.

Competencies

C****o****r****e Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

C****o****r****e Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• MA in Gender, Social Sciences and Policy Research, International Development and related fields; an educational background in ICT is an added advantage

Experience

• The consultant shall have at least 7 years of progressive experience in national, sub-regional and regional policy advocacy, research, capacity building and programming initiatives on Education, ICT and Gender.
• Experience in facilitation and/or moderation of regional level multi-stakeholder workshops
• Experience working with governmental and intergovernmental and/or regional organizations including the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU)

Language and Other Skills

• Excellent knowledge of written and oral communication in English. Knowledge of any other AU language is an asset
• Full command of Microsoft applications, particularly Word, and other relevant software.

Application:

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

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.)

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