National consultant on Integration of a Human Rights Based Approach and a Gender Perspective, with a focus on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Es

Result of Service Organisational Setting and Reporting The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO) leads the coordination of UN programming in Eswatini including through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). It ensures the alignment of the UN assistance with national development priorities, plans and capacity building in the context of internationally agreed treaty obligations and sustainable development goals. It also works to position the UN system at the centre of development efforts and international cooperation in the country. The UNSDCF guides the UN and the Government’s engagement in enhancing the economic and social development of the people of Eswatini.

The UN-World Bank report on “Pathways for Peace” highlights the cost-effectiveness of upholding human rights, building resilient communities through investment in inclusive and sustainable development, addressing inequalities and exclusion, and the importance of multilateralism. The 2020 SG’s Call to Action for Human Rights recognizes human rights as central to realizing the UN Prevention Agenda and Agenda 2030.

As part of the UN reform agenda strategy of the UN’s engagement to renew the social contract and be the unique bridge builder between all stakeholders (whole of society approach) the UN RCO will facilitate broader stakeholder engagement to integrate a human rights-based approach and gender perspective to enhance sustainable and inclusive development and fulfilment of economic social and cultural rights (ESCRs).

The national consultant will report to the UN RCO in Mbabane, Eswatini. The consultancy is part of OHCHR’s Surge Initiative Phase II in the areas of ESCRs, and SDGs.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Senior Human Rights Advisor, in close collaboration with other staff in the UN RCO in Mbabane, OHCHR HQ, with UN Country Team (UNCT) and other stakeholders in Eswatini.

Work Location Mbabane

Expected duration 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties: - Conduct a comprehensive country analysis of current and planned International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and UN policies and programmes from a human rights, gender and Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) perspective with regard to implementation of the SDGs and improving the level of respect for human rights in Eswatini, with a focus on ESCRs including the rights to water and sanitation, food, health and social protection taking into account the UN framework for a socio-economic response to COVID-19 and the human rights indicators contained therein. This includes - but is not limited to – COVID-19 impact assessments; human rights-based budget analyses, studies and assessments on the impact of inequality, debt, corruption and illicit financial flows as well as foreign direct investment on the enjoyment of rights; analysis of inequalities, including income and wealth inequality as well as inequalities of opportunities and outcomes) review of fiscal policies and social and economic reforms including analysis of the situation of women and girls, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, the informal sector and other vulnerable groups using disaggregated data wherever available, econometric modelling and other methodologies as appropriate. - Design and conduct consultations with all stakeholders including civil society actors with a focus on those at risk of being left behind, including representatives at the community levels. - Identify participation gaps, with a view to ensuring that those at risk of not being heard and left behind are involved in stakeholder engagements with IFIs, UN and others that are implementing projects that affect their lives. - Produce briefings, advocacy documents and assessment of mitigation of risks through identification of knowledge gaps, concrete measures (e.g., concessions) and safeguards through capturing feedback and addressing the challenges of existing UN and IFI projects. - Capacitate rights holders at the community level to make informed decisions regarding UN and IFI projects that are impacting their lives through designing and implementing training workshops. - Produce a report with recommendations to integratee a human-rights based approach, gender perspective and LNOB analysis to UN and IFI policies, projects and programmes in Eswatini. - Ccoordinatee with UN RCO, IFIs, UNCT and relevant national institutions to provide appropriate and timely technical assistance and guidance. - Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, human rights, social policy or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic, social and human rights research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required.

Background in research and experience in collection of disaggregated data and producing analysis, reports, briefing notes and country assessments in relation to human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights is required.

Experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation and application of economic principles in the human rights and gender areas is desirable.

Experience in facilitation, training and capacity building with national institutions and civil society including at the national, regional and community levels is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English and Siswati is required.

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.