Consultancy – Global Initiative on Gender Equality in Public Administration

Background

The purpose of this procurement exercise is to contract individual consultant who will support the implementation of two areas of the UNDP Responsive and Accountable Institutions Team’s work: (1) the Crisis Response Package on Core Government Functions; and (2) Integrating Gender Equality in Public Administration (GEPA) into the work of the RAI team.

As a trusted multilateral partner serving 177 countries and territories around the world, UNDP is uniquely positioned to help advocate for change, connect countries to the knowledge and resources they need to develop and to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations at the country level.

The Responsive and Accountable Institutions Team (RAI), in the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, contributes to UNDP’s integrated work on rebuilding the basic functionality of government at the national and subnational level, strengthening local governance systems, and promoting responsiveness and accountability of institutions, with a particular focus on fragile and conflict-affected setting. In order to deliver faster and more consistently in the aftermath of crises, together with the Crisis Response Unit (CRU), a Crisis Response Package on the Restoration of Core Government Functions is being developed.

Another core area of the RAI Team’s work is the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Public Administration Global Initiative (GEPA), focusing on women’s equal participation, including in decision-making positions, within public administrations. This initiative is intended to provide the basis for UNDP to adapt, scale up, share lessons learned and advocate with national partners for informed policy and programmatic actions. The Global GEPA Report, released in June 2014, included analyses of the approaches undertaken by a wide range of governments in promoting women’s participation, particularly in leadership positions, in public institutions. It reflects on the strengths, constraints, specificities, lessons learned and implementation challenges at different levels of government, as well as diverse geographic and governance contexts and public administration traditions. Drawing on thirteen case studies, and a broader desk review/mapping, the Global GEPA Report proposes a comprehensive analysis of trends and challenges and provides recommendations to support strengthened policies and programming.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will, under the supervision and guidance of the RAI Team Leader and in collaboration with other RAI team members, assume the following role and responsibilities:

• Consolidate elements of the Crisis Response Package on Core Government Functions, including operations, communications, and stand-by partnerships.

• Develop concepts for the roll-out of trainings on the Crisis Response Package on Core Government Functions.

• Contribute to the methodological development of SDG Indicator 16.7.1 on proportional representation in public institutions.

• Provide support to UNDP programme countries carrying out GEPA country case studies and recommendations.

• Develop concepts and support the roll-out of research on the impact of GEPA on (i) public service delivery and Access to Information; and (ii) sustaining peace.

• Support the continuous expansion of a global GEPA coalition of development partners, including through the mainstreaming of results into larger bodies of work on women’s leadership.

• Contribute to reporting, talking points, briefs and speeches on the GEPA initiative.

• Carry out other tasks under the RAI Team portfolio, as directed by RAI Team Leader.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment;

• Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial drive towards making meaningful global change through multi-stakeholder partnerships;

• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;

• Integrity, modelled by the UN's values and ethical standards;

• Sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age;

• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;

• Ability to manage heavy workloads and solve complex problems.

Required Skills and Experience

           Education:

• Masters’ degree in relevant area such as Public Administration, Public Policy, Social and Political Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or equivalent.

  Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of experience including in the following areas:

  • Researching legislative and policy frameworks;

  • Supporting projects promoting women’s participation and leadership, including in public administration or private sector;

  • Preparing high-quality presentations, infographics, concept notes, project documents, proposals;

  • Supporting the development of knowledge and advocacy products;

  • High-quality reporting on gender equality in development.

• Knowledge of UNDP’s architecture, strategies, approaches, policy development and/or programming activities.

• Strong research background and proven coordination, analytical, reporting, drafting and communication skills.

• Strong project management skills and proven track record in building results-based partnerships.

  Language(s):

• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English is required.

• Proficiency in other UN working languages, such as French, is desired.

           Computer Skills:

• IT literacy and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications and tools.