National Consultant: Project Coordinator

Background

The UNSCR 1325 calls for increased roles for women's participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.  The Resolution is an acknowledgment by the international community that in conflicts, civilians are increasingly targeted, and women continually are excluded from participation and representation in peace processes. Kenya’s National Action Plan on Peace and Security KNAPII addresses not only the inordinate impact of conflict on women, but also the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management, conflict resolution, and sustainable peace.  The UN and peace stakeholders have been at the forefront of ensuring that the resolution is not only complied with but also kept alive which would substantially enhance the mechanisms for ensuring enforcement and implementation.

Despite having a robust Constitution and attendant legal framework that promotes and provides for basic minimum standards of ensuring duty bearers and institutions promote gender equality in leadership and governance spheres, there have been significant challenges facing the implementation process that threatens the enjoyment of these rights, especially in the political sphere.  In view of the experiences, some of the identified challenges that hinder women’s participation in leadership and governance include widespread gender-based violence, social against women, and general conflict, and an insecure environment. Kenya’s peace and security landscape is characterized by a myriad of conflict drivers such as ethnopolitical competition for power, youth unemployment, transnational crime, violent extremism, and terrorism.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The overall objective of this assignment is to ensure that peace and security in Kenya is informed by women’s demands, leadership, and participation

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Coordinator will be guided by the Initiative Work plan to ensure the successful operationalization of the Kenya High-level Mediation Team and Women Mediation Network initiative. The Coordinator will generally be tasked with the following:

• Coordinate the identification and selection of the members of the National Mediation Team comprised of eminent men and women with the capacity to influence
• Coordinate and support the establishment and operationalization of the Kenya Women Mediation Network in at least eight Regions 
• Develop a detailed work plan for the High-Level Mediation Team and the Women Mediation Network
• Provide substantive and real-time coordination support and engagement in the implementation of the work-plan
• Coordinate the capacity development of women in the network in prevention and resolution of conflict, peacebuilding, and gender-responsive approaches to promote peace and security, including gender & mediation training prior to the 2022 elections
• Establish and strengthen linkages around gender-disaggregated early warning data and gender analytics for Prevention
• Ensure and coordinate regional and south-south knowledge exchange processes
• Support the planning, coordination, and conducting of awareness-raising and advocacy dialogues activities at national and regional levels
• coordinate the Kenya High-level Mediation Team and Women Mediation Network activities and give an update on progress level of implementation;
• Where applicable, manage funds for and on behalf of the initiative and support disbursements through an effective financial system and structure as is established at the UN;
• Assess and analyze risks key issues on peace and security (with a particular focus on elections) and advice the initiative leadership on appropriate decisions to take;
  • Mapping national and regional electoral issues for advocacy and empowering initiatives towards the maintenance of peace;
• Participate in specific gender peace & security dialogue spaces and provide a relevant briefing on women-led peace and security interventions and contribution to promoting peace & security;
• Develop progress report and submit in a timely manner.

Competencies

Core Values / Guiding Principles

• Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
• Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values, and learning from cultural diversity. 

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism. Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Functional Competencies:

• Program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills;
• Excellent report writing skills;
• Possesses the ability to work independently, under pressure, and meet deadlines with minimum supervision;
• Good knowledge of the technical area;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, conflict studies, mediation, or a related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in areas of mediation, conflict prevention, early warning, and risk monitoring linked to governance and political processes or related area.
• Experience in facilitation and workshop planning. 
• Good knowledge on issues of governance, gender, and peacebuilding in Kenya will be an added advantage
• Experience and knowledge of UN Admin and financial rules are desirable. 

Language:

• Fluency in English and Kiswahili (written and oral).

Other:

• Strong client orientation and ability to build strong relationships with, and focuses on results
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks to achieve results.