Consultant to train on the UNCT-SWAP Scorecard for assessment of UN Country-Level Gender Mainstreaming Practices and Performance

Background

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. In line with the UN Women Regional Architecture, the Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO) under the Peace and Security Programme recognizes the need to strengthen collaboration and leadership of traditional leaders who are widely regarded as gate keepers in enforcing the appropriate laws.

The universal adoption by UN Member States of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 constituted a critical milestone for efforts to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women (GEEW). Anchored on 17 SDGs that include a stand-alone goal on GEEW and ten SDGs with gender-related targets, the Agenda 2030 reaffirms the centrality of GEEW to sustainable development in accordance with the key global and regional commitments. Throughout the Agenda 2030 document, the goal of GEEW is not only emphasized as a critical goal within the framework of the agenda, it is also highlighted as being of fundamental importance to the attainment of the goals and targets. The Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) (2017-2020) which was crafted to guide system-wide strategic policy orientations and operational modalities for the UN development system’s (UNDS) support to the realization of the SDGs, calls upon the UNDS to continue to support countries (upon their request), in the implementation, follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bearing in mind that the SDGs and targets are integrated and indivisible, global in nature and universally applicable, taking into account the different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. It states that the UNDS will need to enhance its functioning to deliver “flexible, timely, coherent, coordinated and integrated” support to UN Member States, and to pursue full alignment of operational activities for development at the country level with national development plans and strategies to strengthen national ownership and leadership, while ensuring full involvement of all relevant stakeholders at national level. The QCPR calls upon all UN entities to continue to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality by enhancing gender mainstreaming, while the resolution on repositioning the UN Development System (A/RES/72/279) emphasizes the importance of system-wide accountability on the ground for implementing the UNDAF in support of the 2030 Agenda”, the UNDAFs must become a system-wide response to national priorities and underpinned by a clear budgetary framework. As part of the repositioning of the UNDS through GA resolution 72/279 member states have elevated the UNDAF now renamed as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as the most important instrument for both planning and implementation of the UN development activities at Country level in support of the SDGs. The UNSDCF in light of the ambition of the 2030 agenda it is now the most important cooperation framework that guides the entire programme cycle driving planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of collective UN support for achieving the 2030 agenda.

As the global champion for GEEW, and given its mandate within the UNDS, which is to lead and coordinate the UN system’s work and promote accountability on gender equality, the UNSDCF provides an opportunity for UN Women to enhance system-wide efforts by the UNDS towards advancing this agenda. It provides an opportunity to promote joint analysis, planning, partnership engagement, programming and inter-agency coordination, and joint monitoring and reporting for enhanced system-wide accountability towards the SDGs.  In order for this to take place, it is critical to build the capacities of UN Women personnel and gender equality advocates within the broader UN development system (regionally and nationally), to provide strategic guidance and leadership in the development, and implementation of the UNSDCF. Secondly, it is important that UN Women and its UN partners to understand the opportunities and strategies for mainstreaming GEEW issues, needs and priorities at different stages of the UNSDCF development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes. This includes understanding how to apply existing UNCT accountability frameworks and tools e.g. the UNCT System-wide Action Plan (UNCT-SWAP) for GEEW scorecard and Gender Equality Marker (GEM) tools. The training is scheduled to take place from 23 – 25th September 2019.

The training content will combine both technical knowledge and skills required to effectively support UNCTs with the development and implementation of their UNSDCF. The content will be informed by the broader on-going UN Reform agenda.

UN Women ESARO would therefore like to hire International consultant in the capacity of a trainer to train members of the UNCT from all 13 countries in East and Sothern Africa, UN Women country offices and other partners.

The training will cover the following components:

• The UNDS reform agenda and implications for operational activities of the UNDS;
• The different steps in the development of the new generation UNSDCF- and good practices;
• Strategies and resources available to enhance GEEW considerations in the UNSDCF development process, including in programming, monitoring, reporting, and UNSDCF evaluations;
• Guidance on strengthening linkages between UNSDCF, peace-keeping and humanitarian missions;
• Opportunities for strengthening accountability using the UNCT UN-SWAP gender scorecard and GEM tool, respectively.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Tasks:

• Train participants based on the relevant UN Women approved training tools ensuring maximum participation of participants and the achievement of the objectives and expected results;
• Work with the rapporteurs and workshop organizing team to produce key summaries of sessions that will feed into daily recaps and the overall workshop/consultation report;
• Propose changes in methodology and agenda during the consultation if necessary, to ensure workshop objectives are met;
• Convene daily meetings for planning the next day and discussing the lessons learned with the organizing committee.

Methodology:

• Interactive presentations and some virtual sessions, followed by plenary discussions;
• Group work sessions;
• Skits/role play and other activities, to promote interactive learning.

Expected Deliverables:

• Ensure effective moderation including obtaining the relevant facilitation materials from the facilitation team;
• Produce summary reports of the key issues and recommendations arising from the workshop;
• Provide a road map for next steps.

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.

Functional Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues;
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear reports and guidance with in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations in English in the relevant field;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
• Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner and delivery quality results.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced Degree in the field of Social Sciences, Gender Equality, Human Rights, Law or master’s in social sciences, or a closely related field. Relevant first level degree with over 12 years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in the development sector preferably in Women’s Rights and Gender Equality with solid training, facilitating and moderating abilities;
• Strong understanding of policy and legal frameworks on gender equality, human rights and peace and security;
• Experience working at regional level on gender equality and women’s rights in the context of UNCT is an added advantage;
• Demonstrated experience in developing quality written training/communication materials.

Language:

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

UNWOMEN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.