National/ International Consultant to develop knowledge product(s) on women peacekeepers at the Southern African Development Community Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (SADC RPTC)

Contract

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

Background

The 31st of October 2020 will mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. UNSCR 1325 emphasizes the particular impact of violent conflict and war on women and girls, as well as the crucial role that women should, and already do, play in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacemaking and peacebuilding. The Resolution has four main pillars: participation and representation, prevention, protection. The participation pillar speaks specifically to the need to appoint more women as mediators, police officers, and peacekeepers among other roles. In 2008 the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) adopted the SADC Gender and Development Protocol. Article 28 of the Protocol on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution specifically speaks to the women, peace and security agenda as it urges States Parties to ensure women’s equal representation and participation in key in key decision-making positions in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes in accordance with UNSCR 1325.

The Southern African Development Community Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (RPTC) was established in Zimbabwe in 1996. The overall objective of the SADC RPTC is to provide trainings for peace support missions in the region. The Training Centre specifically aims to:

• Promote regional cooperation in peace and security amongst SADC Member States;
• Build capacity in conflict prevention and conflict management including Peace Support Organ;
• Train peacekeeping practitioners and provide training, enabling all SADC Member States to take part in Peace Support Organs;
• Assist planning for SADC peacekeeping exercises and operations;
• Develop and deliver peacekeeping training in line with the Southern African Development Community, African Union and United Nations standards; and
• Implement the objectives of the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO) and the SADC development agenda related to Peace and Security.

UN Women Zimbabwe is supporting the SADC RPTC with documentation of the professional experiences of women peacekeepers from the SADC region who have undergone training at the Centre as part of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of UNSCR1325 with the following objectives:

Objectives

1. To document 20 women’s experiences as peacekeepers in the SADC region and how they have benefited from participating in regional capacity development courses;
2. To create a knowledge product which connects the 20 women’s professional experiences with regional and national performances through 4 essays analysing and assessing UNSCR1325 in SADC and the role of institutions such as the RPTC as enablers for the achieving the participation pillar on the Resolution;
3. To host a high-level dialogue on UNSCR1325 and its implementation in SADC and Zimbabwe.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will report to and work under the supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist on Governance and Peacebuilding. S/he will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct interviews with 20 women peacekeepers from SADC who have undergone trainings at the SADC RPTC;
• Develop a coffee table book with profiles of each of the women interviewed including (4) essays analysing the regional performance in terms of women’s meaningful participation in peacekeeping in line with UNSCR 1325 and the SADC Gender and Development Protocol and the role of training centres and capacity development;
• Host an online high-level roundtable discussion on UNSCR 1325 in SADC and Zimbabwe.

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.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional/Technical Competencies:

• Strong and sound knowledge of national, regional and international human rights and governance frameworks;
• Understanding of gender equality and rights-based programming of UN agencies and government;
• Previous experience conducting research and developing knowledge products;
• Results oriented, exhibiting high levels of enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy and integrity; and able to work with minimal supervision;
• Excellent communication (spoken, written and presentation) skills/fluency in English, including the ability to draft/edit reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise manner.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in Law, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, Development, Women’s Studies, Peace and Security or a related discipline

Experience:

• Strong knowledge of women’s rights including national, regional and international human rights and governance frameworks;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience working on research assignments on gender, peace and security and governance;
• Previous experience in the area of gender, peace and security; in Zimbabwe and the SADC region.

Language:

• Excellent written and verbal command of English;
• Knowledge of French or Portuguese is an asset.

Technical knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word.

Application:

The application should include a cover letter (max. 1 p.), CV (max. 2 p.) and an example piece of your writing. Kindly scan ALL these documents as ONE document as the system will only allow an upoad of ONLY ONE DOCUMENT.