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.

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.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs.

UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has five key program priorities: (1) Integrated Programming and Localization, (2) Women’s movement building through core grant making; 3) Policy and Research; 4) Economic Resilience and Private Sector and 5) Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. UN Women Afghanistan operates through its main office in Kabul and five suboffices located in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.

Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH) are unacceptable behaviours and prohibited conducts for United Nations (UN) staff and its personnel. SEA and SH are acknowledged to be rooted in unequal power relations, particularly gendered and sexualised abuses of power, and gender bias. UN Women is committed to build upon a gender-sensitive and victim/survivor-centred approach and organisational culture that aims to prevent any form of sexual misconduct and, when they occur, support those affected and provide timely appropriate corrective actions. To ensure the implementation of this zero-tolerance policy, and adhering to the principles of ‘do no harm’, confidentiality, safety and non-discrimination when responding to allegations of SEA/SH, UN Women in Afghanistan aims at increasing transparency and improving the prevention, reporting, referral and provision of assistance in the context of SEA/SH allegations against employees, personnel, contractors and partners.

UN-Women is accountable in its own right but also as part of the broader UN-wide effort to mitigate the risk of SEA/SH. UN Women in Afghanistan is therefore seeking  1 International Consultant (PSEA-H International Consultant) and 2 National Consultants (PSEA-H National Consultant.s) on retainer to provide needs based technical and operational support to UN Women on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and harassment. The PSEA-H International Consultant will play an important role in transferring capacity and experience to strengthen UN Women’s internal institutional capacity on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in Afghanistan and will provide technical guidance and support to the PSEA-H National Consultants.

The PSEA-H International Consultant will be reporting to UN Women PSEA focal point in the Afghanistan Country Office, with the overall guidance of UN Women’s Special Representative and Deputy Special Representatives for Programmes and Operations. The PSEA-H International Consultant will work closely with the PSEA-H National Consultants, programme teams based in Kabul and UN Women’s five regional sub-offices. The PSEA-H International Consultant will be expected to travel to Afghanistan as needed, and work directly with personnel across the agency and with its partners and contractors.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work:

The tasks of the PSEA-H International Consultant will include: 

  1. Conduct a PSEA capacity assessment of UN Women Afghanistan Country Office
  • Make tailor-made recommendations to UN Women ACO, outlining appropriate PSEA-H activities for ACO to implement in the course of its 2023-2027 SN implementation including both programmatic and leadership actions
  • and highlight information that could inform the development of UN Women Afghanistan’s next strategic note.
  1. Provide guidance to UN Women personnel and partners on the development of SEA/GBV Risk assessments
  • Provide technical advice to UN Women staff and partners on conducting SEA/GBV risk assessments using the existing Afghanistan-adapted tools and methodologies.
  • Coach and mentor personnel and partners on identifying contextual and operational SEA risks, particularly in high-risk programme settings.
  • Strengthen staff and partner capacity through practical training, case studies, and on-the-job support related to SEA risk management.
  • Promote alignment with UN Women policies, inter-agency PSEA standards, and Afghanistan PSEA Network guidance.
  1. Provide strategic and technical guidance to UN Women PSEA focal points, in Kabul and in the sub-offices:
  • Provide guidance on UN Women’s contributions to the PSEA Network and to PSEA subnational working groups, and to UN Women corporate initiatives of PSEA-H.
  • Facilitate capacity development activities of UN Women PSEA focal points in sub-offices and in Kabul. 

  1. Provide capacity building to UN Women and partners

    Together with PSEA-H national analysts, lead capacity development initiatives and trainings for UN Women partners, personnel, contractors.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based retainer consultancy, with travels to Afghanistan. The consultant will be engaged under a retainer contract, which facilitates direct engagement of the consultant depending on need and availability within the contract period for a pre-agreed fee, for a maximum of 40 working days during the period 1 October 2026 – 31 December 2027. While on retainer contract, there is no guarantee of work, and the selected consultant retains the right to decline assignments based on their availability. As part of the official duty of this consultancy, the consultant may be expected to travel to various regions of Afghanistan, which will be processed by UN Women, following the duty travel policy.

Competencies :

Core Values:

  • Integrity;
  • Professionalism;
  • Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

  • Ability to maintain constructive, effective business relationships with clients and partners
  • Knowledge of SEA and SH prevention principles, standards, trends, and developments worldwide.
  • Ability to adhere to deadlines and follows up on time-bound issues
  • Ability to maintain diplomacy, tact and strict confidentiality with internal and external partners and clients in a visible and sensitive process
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to present complex processes and issues clearly to a diverse audience.
  • Proven ability to produce high quality written work within short timeframes
  • Organization skills (time management, efficient administration, multi-tasking and fast-paced)
  • Ability to work under pressure within strict deadlines 

IV. Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

  • Advanced University Degree (Master’s level) in social development or gender studies, rule of law, human rights, or a related field
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage;

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of professional experience in the areas of PSEA/SH, prevention and protection from gender-based violence (GBV), gender mainstreaming, humanitarian affairs, staff misconduct, and discipline, or a related field; working experience as an in-country PSEA Focal Point/Coordinator is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting comprehensive partner capacity assessments is required
  • Demonstrated experience in facilitating capacity development activities and trainings is required
  • Familiarity with the global UN PSEA structures, policies, procedures, and tools is required
  • Experience working within the UN System and/or previous experience in the Afghanistan context is desirable

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.

Statements :

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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.

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