International Consultant-Coordinate the development of thematic research papers and/or case studies with civil social organizations (CSOs) in Africa followed by two regional forums to enable knowledge sharing on best practices & lessons learned on VAWG

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination and violence 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 Spotlight Initiative is a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) launched in 2017, to eliminate all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including harmful practices. The Africa investment is at the heart of the Spotlight Initiative, which has thus far been implemented in 8 African Union (AU) Member States (Liberia, Nigeria, Niger, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Uganda) and through an African regional programme that will complement the country programmes. Stream I of the regional programme for Africa – which has a continental scope – will focus on three pillars: (1) Legislations and policies, (5) Quality and reliable data and (6) Strengthening the women’s movement in its relations with the African Union and other regional players.

The four-year programme is implemented in two streams whereby UN Women leads the overall coordination of Stream I that aims to promote regional response to addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Harmful Practices (HP), and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH&RR) in Africa. UN Women is also leading the implementation of activities under Pillar 6 of Stream I in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Under stream I, UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP, and UNICEF are recipient UN organizations (RUNOs) that will jointly implement resources and provide technical assistance and guidance to the AU, regional Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and other stakeholders for the implementation of the regional joint programme.

Under Pillar 6, the Africa Regional Programme focuses on regional, continent-wide women’s movement building of regional women’s rights organisations, pan-African networks and CSOs, to collectively advocate and work towards the ending sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices on the continent. A key and distinct objective of the work aims to enlarge space in key regional processes with the African Union (AU), which is a regional inter-governmental organization that has a major influence on agenda-setting and policymaking across Africa.

To this end, UN Women Ethiopia is seeking to engage the services of an international consultant to coordinate and lead the implemenation of the activity" Support regional CSOs to enable knowledge sharing on the best practices and lessons learned on VAWG/HP and SRH and RR, including on engaging the key AU processes". The consultant will be responsible for the development of thematic papers focusing on CSO’s efforts in elimination VAWG, HP and promotion of SRH and RR in Africa. The consultant will work from home and is expected to be physically present to coordinate the two learning platforms planned to be organized in West and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa regions.

Duties and Responsibilities

With guidance and overall supervision of the Program Coordinator of SIARP, the consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks.

1. Coordinate the development of the 4 thematic papers to enable knowledge sharing on best practices and lessons learned on VAWG/HP and SRHR, including on engaging key AU processes (2 from East and South Africa Region and 2 from West and Central Africa) with CSOs supported by Spotlight Initiative in Africa.

Specific tasks include

Identify criteria for selection of CSO partners and timeframe and methodology for working with CSOs to develop papers/ case studies on their programmes/interventions on EVAWG/ HP and SRHR (include quality assurances, ethical standards, and participatory processes.
Manage process for CSOs to express interest in process and selection of organizations.
Support CSOs to design and develop papers, including facilitating process for peer review, validation of papers and preparation of presentations.

2. Coordinate two regional knowledge-sharing forums to be organized in West and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa regions for 2 days each

4. Work with the selected host of the media/communication platform for CSOs under the spotlight initiative to share resources and strengthen connections with other CSOs working on related issues.

Deliverables:

A detailed work plan outlining the timeframe for task completion for development of the thematic papers and/or case studies and coordination of the two forums
Four thematic papers and/or case studies developed in collaboration with and participation of CSOs under the spotlight initiative program in Africa
Organize the two forums in ESAR and WCAR (Develop TORs, Agenda, facilitate sessions, list of participants and other logistical issues in close collaboration with the SIARP team)
Develop a comprehensive report which includes the process, the outcome of the forums, and lessons learned

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:

Sharing knowledge and experience
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively, and creatively across different constituencies
Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners
Multidisciplinary skills and the ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Sensitivity to regional political, gender and cultural balance.
A high standard of professionalism.

Competencies

Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills in English and French.
Experience in report writing.
Experience in organizing learning forums/events
Experience in working with AUC or UN
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and to meet deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree from an accredited academic institution preferably in Gender Studies, Public Policy, International Affairs, Law, International Development, or another related technical field.

Experience

At least 5-8 years’ international and regional experience in working with CSOs in areas of ending violence against women and girls, preferably in conducting research and programmatic assessment.
Proven experience in leading practice-based knowledge and participatory research methods
Experience collecting and managing statistical data and analysis.
Demonstrated experience in supporting organizational capacities to collate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data in a succinct and comprehensible manner.
Familiarity with evidence based EVAWG/HP and SRHR programme interventions.
Experience working with civil society, rural communities.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (written and spoken) with excellent communication skills.
Working knowledge of the French language is an asset.