UN Women: Technology & Innovation Action Coalition Lead - Commission on the Status of Women Substantive Lead

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 USD.

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Background

The duration of the assignment is until 31 March 2023. Whereas an external candidate will be offered a temporary appointment; subject to release agreements, staff members in UN Women may be administered as a temporary assignment and staff members in the UN Common system may be administered under a loan arrangement.

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.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

In 1996, ECOSOC in resolution 1996/6 (see p. 20) expanded the Commission’s mandate and decided that it should take a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities.

During the Commission’s annual session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York. They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women. Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s enjoyment of their rights in political, economic, and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to ECOSOC for follow-up.

The 25-year anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was celebrated in 2021 through the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) held in Mexico and France. At the Generation Equality Forum (GEF), the Generation Equality Action Coalitions & Women, Peace & Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) Compact were launched to move from words to Action to accelerate progress for gender equality. The themes for the six Action Coalitions (AC) are: 1. Gender Based Violence 2. Economic Justice and Rights 3. Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 4. Feminist Action for Climate Justice 5. Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality 6. Leadership and Feminist Movements. The Action Coalitions each have their blueprint with lists of 2-5 core actions to accelerate results under their theme.

Based on the Action Coalition blueprints, following an innovative, transformative, and multi-stakeholder approach, at GEF in Mexico City and Paris thousands of partners from different sectors joined forces and committed to real, game-changing, and funded actions for women and girls, leading to not only the largest ever financial commitments for gender equality, but also to a global, multi-stakeholder partnership that will continue in the coming five years.

The Action Coalitions are now the primary vehicle for follow up to drive tangible, irreversible results to advance gender equality between now and 2026. They are partnerships set up to address a specific and concrete global gender equality challenge where the collective efforts of government, civil society, the private sector, youth, philanthropic foundations and other stakeholders will galvanize and fast track progress to reach the goals defined in the Acceleration Plan.

Over the next four years, the Action Coalitions will continue to co-create, mobilize, drive investment and impact. They will ensure continued multistakeholder leadership and ownership, including strong youth co-leadership. They will facilitate the implementation of Collective commitments made by the Action Coalition to bring efforts to scale and reach AC blueprint targets. They will help create synergies with and between commitments makers under their theme. Action Coalition leads will also contribute to the development and finalization of the AC accountability framework, Global and Thematic Advocacy strategy, Commitments Platform and Tracker, Localization and Community of Practice, amongst other tasks.

The Action Coalition Thematic Lead and Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Substantive Lead Role

The Action Coalition Thematic Lead will be a recognized expert in the specific theme of Technology & Innovation (T&I), with substantial experience in facilitation, management and mobilization of multiple stakeholders in advocacy initiatives, feminist management and principles, with strong knowledge of accountability frameworks and their effective implementation. He/she will have the capacity to drive consensus-based decisions across a multi-stakeholder structure; identify and address conflicts effectively, and support a thriving community of practice. He/she will have direct experience leading and mobilizing a coalition of key partners for UN Women under this theme.

In parallel, the Lead will carry out responsibilities as the CSW Substantive Lead to provide substantive leadership in the overall preparations leading to and during CSW67, including the preparation of the Secretary-General’s report on the priority theme, an expert group meeting on the priority theme, negotiations of the agreed conclusions, in close collaboration with the Inter-Governmental Support Section and other key UN Women colleagues and partners. The priority theme of CSW-67 is “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

This role is under the direct supervision of the Director of Policy, Programme, and Intergovernmental Division.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions as the Lead in the Technology & Innovation AC:

1. Lead the Technology & Innovation Action Coalition substantive work and content:

• Familiarize with UN Women knowledge products and lessons learned in the Technology & Innovation Action Coalition and in the field more broadly, including the Global Acceleration Plan (blueprint targets) and Gender-Transformative Innovation Challenge toolkits which center gender within technology and innovation.
• Understand and become well-versed in all Generation Equality and Action Coalition documentation, presentations, multi-stakeholder leaders, advocacy agenda, activities, and commitment-making model.
• Actively participate in cross-AC design sprints and collaborations organized with other Thematic teams.
• Review all commitments across Leaders and Commitment Makers in the T&I Action Coalition.

2. Provide strategic advice to maintain the existing partnership with other T&I Action Coalition Leaders, and to engage with current and prospective Commitment Makers:

• Moderate virtual meetings with AC leaders to facilitate a continued process of alliance to ensure the further development of the Action Coalition, as a strong global multi-stakeholder movement, that has the structures in place to implement collective commitments, continue to enlarge and deepen its influence, and support the achievement of the AC blueprint/targets.
• Lead selected activities with AC Leaders for the promotion of the AC’s advocacy agenda and global goals.
• Identify opportunities to amplify the work of the AC and attract new potential priority partners including but not limited to Commitment Makers and other supporters and advocates of the AC’s work.
• Oversee consultants carrying out specific aspects of the Action Coalitions work for T&I.
• Lead the preparation, in consultation and collaboration with Leader, of the T&I work plan by:

1. Finalizing the modalities and forward 4 years workplan of the T&I Action Coalition
2. AC working methods including the roles and responsibilities of the AC’s Commitment Makers
3. An engagement strategy with Commitment Makers that have pledged to this AC
4. Smooth functioning of the collective commitments coordination and reporting systems
5. Recommendations for the development of a localization strategy working with UN Women offices
6. An AC-specific advocacy agenda (aligned with global Generation Equality strategy)

3. Contribute to the overall accountability process and commitments model of Action Coalitions:

• Work with Research & Data and other teams to help finalize elements of the framework based on specific insights and inputs from T&I Action Coalition Commitment Makers and Leaders.
• Conduct outreach to T&I Action Coalition Leaders on commitments reporting and follow up.
• Facilitate the prioritization of specific commitments UN Women will support in implementation.
• Identify opportunities for mobilization of new strategic commitments especially where underrepresented.

4. Oversee advocacy, knowledge management and communication efforts:

• Carry out regular and consistent outreach to current and potential AC Leaders and Commitment Makers, especially in the Global South, to maintain and strengthen their engagement in the Action Coalition.
• Support public engagement, advocacy and communication on the AC theme.
• Ensure an active online presence for the AC to engage Leaders and Commitment Makers.
• Brief and dialogue with UN Women staff, specifically in country and regional offices.
• Keep UN Women staff, including the head of PPID, informed of developments within the AC.

5. Support overall activities and objectives of Generation Equality:

• Support inclusion and accessibility to the extent possible for AC meetings and events.
• Support the further validation and review of commitments and lists of Commitment Makers.
• Support to the refinement and updating of the AC contact database for efficient communication.
• Support resource mobilization efforts for Generation Equality Action Coalitions.
• Support key high level events featuring T&I AC Commitment Makers and Leaders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Functions as the CSW 67 Substantive Lead:

1. Provide substantive and strategic contributions in the preparations for CSW67 priority theme:

• Lead substantive discussions of UN Women Substantive Working Group (SWG) tasked with facilitating consultation, discussion and validation of key CSW deliverables within PPID, and with respective UN Women Divisions, sections, Regional Offices and interested country presences.
• Provide strategic and technical advice and briefs to the SWG, the PPID Director and Deputy Director, Regional Directors, UN Women senior leadership, and NGOs on all matters related to CSW67 substantive progress and plans.
• Provide briefings to UN Women personnel (HQ and RO/CO) on the focus of the priority theme.
• Provide briefings to Member States and civil society organizations on the focus of the priority theme.

2. Lead preparation and implementation of the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on CSW67 priority theme:

• Draft concept note, develop programme and other relevant background documents for the EGM.
• Manage technical-level relationships and close coordination with UN agency or agencies co-convening the EGM (if applicable).
• Ensure timely identification of relevant experts and coordination of their participation in the EGM.
• Oversee commissioning of background papers.
• Facilitate and/or support facilitator of the EGM.
• Provide technical advice in the drafting and review of the EGM report.
• Draft initial key messages on the priority theme.

3. Lead the drafting of the SG Report on CSW67 priority theme:

• Act as overall penholder for the SG Report on CSW67 priority theme.
• Lead revision of existing scoping paper on CSW67 priority theme.
• Prepare outline of the SG Report, based on preliminary priority theme scoping, in close collaboration of the SWG.
• Produce key messages and draft recommendations based on the EGM discussions and report, and background papers.
• Draft the SG report and lead all necessary revisions to integrate the inputs from subsequent rounds of comments.
• Prepare discussion guide for Ministerial Roundtables, in close collaboration with the Intergovernmental Support Section.

4. Lead preparation of Interactive events:

• Prepare interactive expert panels on the priority theme for the CSW session, including identifying the overall theme and speakers; draft a concept note and oversee preparation of summaries of the events.
• Support the preparation of ministerial roundtables.
• Participate in UN Women coordination working group.

5. Contribute to negotiations of Agreed conclusions:

• Draft the zero draft of the agreed conclusions in collaboration with IGS.
• Provide briefings to facilitator of agreed conclusions, as requested.
• Follow the negotiations and contribute to preparations of revisions of the negotiated text.
• Serve as resource persons during the negotiations.

Key Performance Indicators:

Action Coalitions

• Strategic direction for Technology & Innovation Action Coalition;
• Regular engagement with Leaders and Commitment Makers;
• Initiatives are implemented on time on scope and on budget;
• Strong relationships built and strengthened with identified partners;
• Annual workplan and advocacy moments identified with Leaders;
• Commitment maker engagement and localization strategies developed;
• Resources mobilized for Generation Equality in collaboration with other teams;
• Timely and quality technical advice and support;
• Timely and quality knowledge products and technical guidance as needed

CSW-67

• Updated scoping paper on CSW67 priority theme
• Outline of SG Report
• EGM concept note
• EGM Expert list
• EGM successfully conducted
• Timely delivery of SG report on CSW67 priority theme
• Timely delivery of Discussion guide for Ministerial Roundtables
• Interactive events organized
• Negotiations of agreed conclusions supported

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:

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, economics, public administration, business administration, IT, communication human rights, international relations or other related area.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years progressively responsible working in international development, with a focus on technology and innovation;
• Experience working on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Experience in programme, policy analysis, and strategic planning;
• Experience working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field;
• Experience leading a team;
• Experience working with the UN is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)