Senior Gender Advisor

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

In South Sudan, UN women supports national priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with government, civil society and other relevant actors. As a national priority and part of efforts to build lasting peace, South Sudan has embarked on a process to develop its permanent Constitution. A gender-responsive, people centered, participatory and inclusive constitution making process will build consensus amongst stakeholders on substantial constitutional issues. In line with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) developed a Constitution Making Process Bill, 2021, presented to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) for enactment. The Bill’s purpose is to establish a legal framework to govern the process of the Permanent Constitution making and outline the design, form, powers and functions of the mechanisms to be involved in the Permanent Constitution making process.

Currently, UN Women South Sudan is implementing a project “support to a people-driven and gender responsive permanent constitution making process in South Sudan.” The project is for a period of two years from 2022 to 2023, focusing on three main areas, that is, 1) supporting the R-TGoNU to establish inclusive and functional constitutional making mechanisms for developing a permanent constitution peacefully; 2) supporting constitution-making mechanisms and key non state actors implement gender-responsive, inclusive, people-driven and participatory processes for building consensus around the substance of the permanent constitution; and 3) ensuring that communities/public have access to information to build awareness, understanding of and support for the constitution making process through strengthened media, CSOs and local outreaches.

To support the Government of South Sudan to manage a gender-responsive, people centered, participatory and inclusive constitution making process, UN Women South Sudan Country Office is seeking to recruit a Senior Gender Advisor to provide technical and advisory assistance to advance the project’s focus areas as mentioned above under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Representative and close collaboration with the Gender Justice Specialist.

Under the overall guidance of the Country Representative, direct supervision of the Deputy Country Representative and close coordination with the Gender Justice Specialist, the Senior Gender Advisor will undertake the following tasks:

Technical Assistance: Advising and supporting the stakeholders in establishing gender-responsive mechanisms for the permanent constitution making process; Advising and supporting the development and implementation of gender-responsive policies, rules, procedures, strategies, plans, actions, programmes, and systems of the constitution making mechanisms; Develop with women and other partners, position papers providing comparative analysis on areas/issues of concern/ contention from a gender-perspective during the constitution making process; Support women-specific consultations and dialogues with the constitution making mechanisms at national and sub-national levels; Support advocacy meetings for women delegates with other stakeholders to support buy-in for the women’s position. Submit regular updates on constitution making activities. Advise and lead training of the constitution making mechanisms and stakeholders; Liaise with the Gender Justice Specialists to provide guidance on specific requests from the constitution making mechanisms and stakeholders; Prepare inputs on documents on inter-agency coordination on the Permanent Constitution making process and contribute to the project’s reports as required.

Capability Building of Stakeholders; Develop and implement capacity building strategies to meet the capacity and training needs of the constitution making mechanisms, stakeholders and women leaders involved in the constitution making process; Support the training of the constitution making mechanisms and other institutions involved in the constitution making process on a gender-responsive, rights-based and conflict-sensitive constitution making process; Support the training of the constitution drafting committee on gender-sensitive/responsive drafting; Strengthen the capacity of women leaders engaging with the media on the constitution making process, including public speaking; press-release writing, and presentation;

Partnership Building: Develop and implement partnerships strategies. Enhance partnership/cooperation/consultation/coordination with stakeholders, CSOs, Women groups/organizations, and international partners; Coordinate with other UN agencies, government institutions, donors and CSOs to ensure the interventions on the constitution making process are gender-sensitive, harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts. Liaise with and establish strong working relationships with other UN agencies and international organizations to promote a coordinated approach to the development and implementation of constitution making activities; Spearhead UN Women’s input and contribution to joint activities on Constitution Making Process support; Liaise with key stakeholders to strengthen strategic partnerships to facilitate and increase participation of women in each of the Constitution Making Process.

Support to implementation of programmes: Assess Country Office annual work plans and provide recommendations to assure compliance with programme goals and results-based indicators; Analyze and ensure alignment of project budgets with logical framework matrices and work plans; Ensure programme quality control and identification of potential challenges; Ensure country office have aligned programme plans with operations plan. Support the development of necessary documentation such as ToRs, concept notes, memos, correspondence, meeting briefs and talking points to implement activities; Provide inputs into the project’s reporting requirements to the donor and Monitoring and Evaluation activities to the Programme M & E Officers on work done and further prospects as decided by the program; Develop detailed work plans in line with the project activities.

Knowledge building and sharing: Lead the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the project and contribute to their national and global dissemination. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs Technical gender-responsive support provided to the constitution making mechanisms and stakeholders; Position papers commissioned providing comparative analysis on areas/issues of concern/ contention from a gender-perspective; Women-specific consultations and dialogues with the constitution making mechanisms at national and sub-national levels facilitated; Quality knowledge and advocacy products; The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring, and training, when working with the national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including implementing partners (IPs); Timely and quality substantive inputs to programme strategies and activities; Timely implementation of project’s activities in accordance with the project documents, budget, Strategic Notes, and Biennial Work Plan; Adherence to UN Women’s standards and rules; Regular monitoring of programmes and tracking of programme results and finances. Regular dissemination and sharing of information; Relationship with partners and stakeholders;

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

managing and facilitating high-level dialogues, round table discussions, consultations at both grassroots and national levels. High level representational and advisory experience in a cross-cultural setting; Proven experience in project managing and coordinating with and reporting on the work in the framework of donor programmes and of diverse teams and financial resources at national level. Experience in working in a gender related area is an asset. Experience working with the United Nations and in South Sudan is an asset.

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) Sound security awareness; Have affinity with or interest in gender equality volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The initial contract lasts for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,651. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.