International Consultant-Regional CSO Engagement Coordinator

Consultant Human Rights

Overview

Support regional engagement of CSOs in gender empowerment initiatives

You have:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences or other related areas is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in working in gender, women’s and human rights related programs.
• Experience in CSOs coordination, partnership building and management of regional policy advocacy programs and initiatives.
• Experience working with and knowledge of African women’s networks and organizations.
• Experience working with the African Union, RECs or other intergovernmental bodies/organs in development sector.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and engaging in policy dialogue and in leveraging of resources/building strategic alliances and partnership.
• Proven advocacy, analytical and writing skills.
• Fluency in both English and French is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic or Portuguese languages is an asset.

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

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.

UN Women is one of the UN entities involved in the implementation of the The Spotlight Initiative. This new programme is a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) launched in 2017, to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including harmful practices. The Africa investment is at the heart of the Spotlight Initiative which is implemented in 8 African Union Member States and complemented by an African regional programme through two components: stream I and Stream II.

The four-year programme is implemented in two streams whereby UN Women will lead the overall coordination of Stream I that aims to promote regional response to addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Harmful Practices (HP) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH&RR) in Africa and focusing on three pillars: (1) Legislations and policies, (5) Quality and reliable data and (6) Strengthening the women’s movement in its relations with the African Union and other regional players . UN Women will also be leading the implementation of activities under Pillar 6 of Stream I in close collaboration with the UNDP and UNFPA.

Under stream I, UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF are recipient UN organizations (RUNOs) that will jointly implement resources and provide technical assistance and guidance to the AU, regional CSOs and other stakeholders for the implementation of the regional joint programme. The Africa Spotlight Regional Programme will be implemented in partnership with regional and sub-regional organisations, multilateral UN sister agencies, bilateral donors and CSOs.

In this regard, the regional program, under Pillar 6, will contribute to the enhanced involvement of CSOs and research/training institutions already working in the target regions: West, Central, East and South Africa regions with the expertise, programming experience and activities to implement regional SGBV, SRHR, HP, and VAWG related initiatives. Additionally, the regional programme will support the effective functioning of the Civil Society Regional Reference Group, an important governance mechanism of the Spotlight Initiative that plays an advisory, advocacy and accountability role in the Africa regional programme’s efforts to end VAWG/ SGBV and HP.

As a lead agency for coordinating Pillar 6, UN Women Ethiopia Office is seeking to engage the services of an international consultant, a Regional CSO Engagement Coordinator, to support the implementation of activities that aim to engage women's rights groups, autonomous social movements and CSOs, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination/marginalization, to more effectively influence and advance progress on GEWE and VAWG, including SGBV/HP. The consultant will be a CSO focal person to discharge coordination, advocacy and partnership building tasks working closely with the UN Women Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional teams and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

With guidance and overall supervision of the UN Women Regional Liaison Adviser, and under close Supervision from the Programme Coordinator, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

1. Support the establishment of a Regional CSO Reference Group and the coordination of regular meetings of the reference group
2. Support the coordination of high-level multi-stakeholder continental summits to showcase, network and promote cross-learning among CSOs working on EVAWG, SGBV/HP and SRH & RR
3. support the process of engagement of CSO implementing partners and facilitate the transfer of funds to CSO to support the establishment of systems and protocols to protect the rights of women human rights defenders and expand a women’s solidarity movement
4. Review and coordinate the submission of financial and narrative reports by CSO implementing partners
5. Maintain regular and proactive communication with African women’s rights networks and organisations to provide them with timely information on AU and regional policy processes, and opportunities for engagement and participation
6. Facilitate the engagement of CSOs and African Union with regional faith-based organizations as well as community of traditional leaders
7. Identify and establish strategic partnerships to mobilise technical and financial resources for the implementation of pillar 6 priorities
8. Coordinate trainings for CSO partners on Results Based Management.
9. Document and share good practices on the contributions and experiences of CSOs and women’s rights organsiations
10. Develop and maintain a database of CSOs, women’s rights organisations and women’s movements that support the implementation of EVAWG, SGBV/HP and SRH & RR initiatives.
11. Participate in Spotlight initiative Regional Program meetings and follow up on key actions of relevance for CSOs, women’s rights organisations and the women’s movement
12. Create linkage of CSOs involved in the spotlight and other CSOs working with UN women in other areas at continental level
13. Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

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

• Strong knowledge of EVAW/SGBV, SRH&RR related issues
• Excellent advocacy, coordination, partnership building and knowledge management skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences or other related areas is required.

• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in working in gender, women’s and human rights related programs
• Experience in CSOs coordination, partnership building and management of regional policy advocacy programs and initiatives
• Experience working with and knowledge of African women’s networks and organizations
• Experience working with the African Union, RECs or other intergovernmental bodies/organs in development sector
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and engaging in policy dialogue and in leveraging of resources/building strategic alliances and partnership
• Proven advocacy, analytical and writing skills

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both English and French is required
• Working knowledge of Arabic or Portuguese languages is an asset
• Please note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
• UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

UNWOMEN 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

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org