International Consultant

Background

The UN Women Ethiopia country office through its Liaison to the African Union (AU) and UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) engages with the AU and its various organs, the UNECA as well as the diplomatic community, among others. UN Women provides technical support to member states and the AU in the adoption, implementation and monitoring of commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). In this regard, UN Women works closely and directly African Union Commission (AUC) and mainly with the Department of the Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD) for the development and implementation of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) related joint projects and initiatives including regional policy advocacy initiatives on ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG).

AU Member States have made tremendous strides in developing comprehensive legal, policy and institutional responses to violence against women and girls. Specific laws addressing rape, domestic violence, harmful traditional practices have been enacted; national gender policies and national action plans on violence against women and girls have been adopted; and the issue remains on the priority list of national, regional and continental agendas. Several initiatives exist under the auspices of the AU, UN and Civil Society partners to fight against specific forms of VAWG. These include, among others, the campaigns against maternal mortality, female genital mutilation and early girls’ marriage; the Spotlight Initiative; and UNiTE Campaign. In addition, the newly-adopted AU Strategy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment lists as one of its key outcomes the elimination of all forms of violence against women and Girls. The AUC Chairperson, during the 16 Days Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls in December 2017, also highlighted the need to end VAWG and called for accelerated action to prevent and end this epidemic.

However, despite the progress, VAWG remains one of the most rampant of human rights violations Africa. The UNDP 2016 Africa Human Development report notes that “Africa has an alarming incidence of violence against women, fuelled mostly by social norms around women’s inferiority”. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 46% of women in Africa have experienced GBV of one form or another. Against this background and recognising the need to promote a continent wide comprehensive and coordinated response to VAWG, the Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD) proposes to launch an Africa Wide Campaign to End Violence against Women and Girls. The Campaign will build on past experiences and ensure inclusiveness in terms of targets and partnerships to break the cycle of VAWG in Africa. The campaign will be articulated around three pillars, namely: prevention; advocacy and resource mobilisation; as well as knowledge development and reporting and be anchored within the continental and global development frameworks, i.e. Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals. It will follow a rights-based approach and the principle of “leave no one behind”.

In supporting this initiative, UN Women seeks to engage the services of a technical expert to develop a Strategic Framework for the African Union Campaign on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The support forms part of the joint WGDD, UN Women, UNFPA contribution to the consultancy under this TOR.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director-WGDD, and the direct supervision of the Head of Division: Coordination and Outreach, and working closely with UNWOMEN and UNFPA the Consultant shall:

• Conduct a desk review of existing continental initiatives on VAWG, identify synergies and intersection points and develop a background paper (narrative) for the African Union Campaign on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, with strong contextual analysis, ensuring that the Campaign is unique and addresses existing implementation gaps. The Campaign should be well-decentralized, have national ownership and should provide for Member States to define own priorities.
• Develop a Strategic Framework for the AU Campaign on Ending VAWG.
• Facilitate consultations with key stakeholders including AUC Departments, AU Organs, UN Partners and CSOs involved in programmes that address VAWG and factor inputs in the development of the strategic framework and related documents.
• Map and propose resource mobilization opportunities.
• Develop a Strategy for the preliminary and official launches of the Campaign as well contribute to the planning of the validation process of the strategic framework and related documents.

DELIVERABLES

• Inception report with timelines and workplan.
• Background paper (narrative) on the African Union Campaign on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and mapping of existing initiatives on VAWG.
• Strategic Campaign Framework.
• Partnership mapping and Resource Mobilization strategy.
• Launch strategies

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Commitment to UN Women’s mission, vision, values and strategic goals.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications

• Advanced university degree in gender and development, law, human rights, international relations, or any related social sciences discipline.

Professional experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience of working on issues related to VAWG, gender-based violence as well as gender and development within the African context.
• Extensive experience in development and implementation of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment related campaigns
• Experience in working at the national, regional or international levels with bilateral, multi-lateral or international originations, is an added advantage.
• Strong background and understanding of the African socio-political and legal environment.
• Experience working for United Nations system, the African Union or other inter-governmental organizations will be considered an advantage.

Language and other skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of written and oral communication skills in English while knowlage of other AU official languages is highly desirable;
• Full command of Microsoft applications, particularly Word and Excel, and other relevant software.
• The ability to work quickly to tight deadlines under pressure
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-cultural environments.