Background:

Background/Context

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 is committed to delivering the highest quality research and data on gender equality, and through this work, giving gender advocates the evidence needed to make an impact on global and national policy debates. 

The African Union (AU) and various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have adopted a range of strategies, action plans, policies and other framework documents aimed at addressing violent extremism conducive to terrorism across the continent. At the same time, comprehensive regional frameworks have been developed to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS)[1] and relevant Security Council resolutions[2] have underscored the importance of gender-responsive approaches to preventing and countering terrorism. Against this normative backdrop, it is timely to assess the extent to which regional CT/PVE frameworks uphold and align with WPS commitments at both the global and regional levels. The coherence between predominantly security-oriented regional frameworks and existing commitments to uphold women’s rights in conflict-affected and terrorism-affected contexts, remains insufficiently articulated and warrants closer examination. For example, while established continental gender equality and women, peace and security (WPS) policy frameworks provide a basis for gender-responsive approaches, the African Union’s new Continental Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan of Action (2026–2030) provides limited attention to gender and does not sufficiently reflect existing regional gender commitments, notwithstanding evidence of the differentiated gendered impacts of terrorism and counter-terrorism measures.

In 2025/2026, UN Women prepared a comprehensive gender analysis of Africa main regional CT/PVE frameworks and other relevant frameworks. The gender analysis provides insights into the extent to which gender considerations are reflected in African regional approaches to CT/PVE and aligned with WPS commitments and priorities. It also highlights key strengths and gaps that can inform future policy and programmatic action aiming to advance women’s leadership in CT, PVE and peace and security decision making more broadly.

Under the supervision of the UN Women Counter-Terrorism Policy Specialist and in consultation with the author of the analysis, the consultant will be responsible for conducting a technical editing review of UN Women’s Gender Analysis of Regional Counter-Terrorism Frameworks in Africa document (approximately 35,000 words in English) to ensure that the study is analytically coherent, clearly structured, well referenced and updated, and meets high standards of publication quality.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The consultant will provide technical editing of UN Women’s Gender Analysis of Regional Counter-Terrorism Frameworks in Africa study, in accordance with the tasks specified below: 

  • Review and edit the overall text and adjust the structure as appropriate to ensure concise and succent chapters while preserving the study’s core themes and findings. 
  • Assess the study against its stated research objectives and address any substantive gaps, inconsistencies or areas that can be strengthened as may be needed.
  • Review the analysis and conclusions to ensure that findings and recommendations are appropriately aligned and supported by the evidence and analysis presented in the study.
  • Conduct a reference review of the document to ensure accuracy and precision in references to international human rights law, international humanitarian law, UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions among other important references. 
  • Provide editing to improve the flow and readability of the document, including the sequencing and presentation of arguments and the integration of tables, figures, boxes, charts and maps, as applicable.
  • Ensure adherence to the UN Editorial Manual and relevant UN Women editorial standards, including the appropriate and consistent use of gender-related terminology in line with the UN Women Gender Term Glossary.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. No travel is required as part of this assignment.


 

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:   https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: 
  • Knowledge of gender equality, women’s rights and gender-responsive approaches to peace and security;
  • Expert knowledge of women, peace and security (WPS) and demonstrated understanding of the gender dimensions of CT/PVE;
  • Excellent drafting and editing skills across a range of reporting formats and requirements;
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Highly effective organization and planning skills and high attention to detail;
  • Excellent analytical and research skills;
  • Team player;
  • Strong sense of responsibility, confidentiality and accountability.

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender studies, development, political studies, peace and security studies, international law, or a related field is required.

• 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 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in gender, women, peace and security, and human rights issues and international law in the context of peace and security, counter terrorism, conflict prevention and policy-development efforts.
  • Experience working on gender equality and women’s rights, including the integration of gender perspectives into policy frameworks and/or peace and security strategies and programmes or frameworks is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in substantive editing, drafting and reviewing research studies, analytical reports, policy papers or other complex publications in English is required.
  • Experience in analyzing or reviewing international and/or regional policy or strategic frameworks, preferably in the areas of peace and security, counter-terrorism, human rights, gender equality or WPS is desirable.

  • Experience working with the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.

NOTE: Candidates should submit at least one sample of previous work (publication or sample of edited work) with their application.

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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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.