Mediation Consultant

Result of Service This work will support the implementation of the children and armed conflict mandate through strengthening regional capacities on CAAC-sensitive mediation in Africa.

Work Location Consultant will work remotely with potential travel as assigned by the OSRSG CAAC.

Expected duration 2 months

Duties and Responsibilities The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC) serves as the leading United Nations (UN) advocate for the protection and well-being of children affected by armed conflict.

The mandate of the SRSG CAAC was created by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/51/77 following the publication, in 1996, of the report by Graça Machel on the impact of armed conflict on children. Since 1999, the systematic engagement of the UN Security Council has placed the protection of children affected by armed conflict at the heart of its international peace and security agenda. In 2005, the Security Council adopted resolution 1612 which established the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) on Grave Violations against Children in Situations of Armed Conflict. The six grave violations monitored and reported on under this mechanism are:

1. recruitment and use of children
2. killing or maiming of children
3. rape and other forms of sexual violence against children
4. attacks on schools and/or hospitals
5. abduction of children
6. denial of humanitarian access for children.

The SRSG CAAC regularly reports to the UN bodies (Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council) on the situation of children in armed conflict, and further engages in a variety of activities to foster the protection of conflict-affected children, including engagement with parties to conflict in situations covered by her mandate, engagement with a global network of partners, promotion of lessons learned and best practices, and the fostering of regional partnerships.

Further information on the CAAC mandate and the Office of the SRSG CAAC can be found here: https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/

Project Description and Objective

Enhancing partnerships with regional and subregional organizations provides enormous opportunities for the protection of conflict-affected children and is a growing priority area for the SRSG CAAC.

This commitment is in line with the Security Council’s call, in resolution 1379 (2001), for regional and subregional arrangements to consider the establishment of child protection mechanisms for the development and implementation of policies, activities, and advocacy for the benefit of children affected by armed conflict.

The African Union (AU) as well as Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms in Africa and the United Nations are key partners in ensuring the protection of conflict-affected children in Africa. The AU has committed to placing the promotion of children’s rights and the protection of conflict-affected children at the center of African-led peace and security efforts and has made notable progress in relevant areas, including regarding policy development.

Based on the principles of complementarity and comparative advantages, the strengthening of the UN-AU partnership on CAAC provides unique opportunities to achieve a concerted push towards the protection of conflict-affected children in Africa. Such efforts are also in line with the Joint UN-AU Framework for an Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, in which both partners inter alia commit to promote a common understanding of conflict in Africa, share early warning information and analysis, and jointly work on preventing and addressing conflict, cooperate in mediation, and protect human rights.

Against this background and based on close consultation with the regional partners on their cooperation goals and needs, the SRSG CAAC is implementing a special project under the title ‘Children and Armed Conflict in Africa – Strengthening Regional Partnerships and Capacities,’ which is focused on early warning, prevention, joint advocacy, and mediation.

As part of the project, the activity supported by the advertised consultancy aims to support the strengthening of regional and sub-regional capacities on CAAC-sensitive mediation and to promote best practices and lessons learned on mainstreaming child protection in mediation processes, as outlined in the ‘Practical Guidance for Mediators to Protect Children in Situations of Armed Conflict’.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Political Affairs Officer, Monitoring, Reporting and Regional Partnerships Team, the Consultant will: •Assist in identifying and consulting with key stakeholders on mediation processes in Africa, specifically to identify an appropriate target audience for capacity-building activities; •Develop a training module on CAAC-sensitive mediation using the ‘Practical Guidance for Mediators to Protect Children in Situations of Armed Conflict’ and other relevant materials; •Deliver two capacity-building sessions using the developed training module to key mediation partners at regional and subregional level; •Report and debrief on the process and provide written recommendations on the way forward.

Expected Outcome/Performance Indicators

Subject to satisfactory review, the Consultant will: •Update the OSRSG CAAC on a need basis on the outcomes of liaison activities with key stakeholders and on the development and delivery of the training module; •Develop a training module (including script, visual (PowerPoint) presentation, practical exercise, and other relevant learning materials on CAAC-sensitive mediation), informed by the ‘Practical Guidance for Mediators to Protect Children in Situations of Armed Conflict,’ other relevant materials, and guidance provided by the OSRSG CAAC; •Conduct two capacity-building sessions using the developed training module (in person or virtual); •Provide written input to an evaluation on the development and delivery of the training module.

Qualifications/special skills Education: •Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, or other related disciplines; •A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: •A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience working on issues of peace and security, political affairs, human rights, and/or protection is required. •Experience working on mediation processes in Africa is required. Experience in the design and implementation of inclusive mediation processes is an asset. •Experience in developing and conducting inclusive consultation processes, workshops, training sessions and/or capacity-building initiatives is required. •Experience of working with the UN, other international or regional/subregional organizations is required. •Experience working in Africa is required. •Experience working on the protection of conflict-affected children is an asset.

Functional Competencies

•Solid knowledge of peace and security issues in Africa and knowledge of issues pertaining to human rights and protection issues, including the protection of conflict-affected children and the children and armed mandate; •Expertise on mediation processes in Africa and experience in promoting and designing inclusive mediation processes, particularly with a view to integrating the views and addressing the needs of vulnerable and/or marginalized groups; •Ability to design and deliver informative, interactive, and inclusive trainings and capacity-building activities targeting a diverse range of stakeholders, and ability and commitment to apply gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches to work assignments; •Ability to share knowledge and pass on expertise, including on complex issues, and excellent research, writing, analysis, and communication skills; •Familiarity with the UN system and with regional organizations in Africa (in particular with the African Union and Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms).

Languages •Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; •Knowledge of French is desirable.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.