Consultant To Develop a Training Manual on Women’s Leadership & Participation in Humanitarian Action

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. In East and Southern Africa Region, UN Women maintains presence in 13 countries with programme presence in Somalia.

The ESAR faces numerous humanitarian challenges ranging from prolonged droughts, cyclones/flooding, conflict induced displacement into refugee camps and internal displacement with huge impacts on communities particularly women and girls. COVID 19 outbreak has worsened the situation given the weak health systems and fragile livelihoods that women and girls depend on.

Although women and girls are the majority recipients of humanitarian assistance, their role in decision making and leadership structures remains inadequate. In 2019, UN Women carried out a regional mapping of women’s organization engaged in humanitarian and DRR activities across the 13 countries. During the mapping, women organization raised a number of challenges that continue to hinder their effective engagement in humanitarian work such as inadequate funding; inadequate knowledge on how the humanitarian systems works; limited leadership skills; capacities of their staff to develop programmes and proposals that will attract donor funds; negative gender & social norms and perceptions around the leadership of women among others.

As part of its humanitarian programmes at national level, UN Women is addressing the leadership challenge through various capacity building initiatives, including in IDP and refugee camps. However, there is no standardized common tool, manual and agreed structure for such trainings. To bridge the gaps identified in the 2019 of women’s organizations engaged in humanitarian and DRR activities across the ESA region, UNW seeks to improve knowledge and capacities of women and women’s organizations in humanitarian interventions areas such as needs assessment, planning and coordination processes.

To achieve the above stated objectives, UN Women ESARO seeks the services of an international consultant to support in developing a standardized training approach for women to effectively participate, lead and influence humanitarian action.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to UN Women Humanitarian Specialist, the consultant is expected to carry out the following responsibilities: 

• Mapping of training manuals and tools that are currently being used by UN Women Country Offices in conducting training to promote women’s leadership skills and participation in humanitarian sector;
• Conduct literature review of existing manuals on women’s leadership in humanitarian action to inform and enrich the process;
• Develop a standardized training manual that will be used across the region;
• Deliver a targeted Training of Trainers for humanitarian focal points from each of the Country Office within the ESA region and a work-plan on how they can replicate training within their countries.

Deliverables:

• Desk research/review of HA training manuals/tools being used in the region;
• Training of ToTs for UN Women humanitarian focal points on the harmonised training manual carried out;
• A harmonised training manual to facilitate training on promotion of women’s leadership skills and participation in the humanitarian sector.

Work schedule:

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/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of gender equality, humanitarian action, conflict and disaster risk management;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively carry out training online;
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear reports and guidance with in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations in English in the relevant field;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
• Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner and delivery quality results.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced Degree in the field of, Disaster Risk Management, Humanitarian Affairs, Conflict Management, Social Sciences, Gender Equality, Program Management, or a closely related field.

 Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in the development sector preferably in Disaster, Humanitarian, Conflict Prevention and Gender issues;
• Demonstrable experience in developing high quality training manuals specifically in the humanitarian sector;
• Experience in programming on initiatives that address the issues affecting women and girls in humanitarian settings;
• Knowledge of policies and legal frameworks on gender equality, Disaster and Humanitarian crisis;
• Experience in communication, documentation and in developing high quality reports;
• Experience of research on gender equality and women’s empowerment and producing high quality research documents;

 Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Take Note

• The consultant should take note that all UN Women knowledge products are taken through a plagiarism check and must comply with the global standards of below 15% in line with UN Women quality assurance process.
• Consultancy fees will be determined in accordance with UN Women rates for consultants and will take into consideration levels of experience and academic qualifications.

UNWOMEN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.