International Consultant: Programme Specialist, Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action

Background

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. 

With the conclusion of Constitutional Document 2019 (CD 2019), Sudan entered a transitional period. Key gains were achieved in the CD 2019; To account to historical injustices because of war, the CD 2019 prioritized the peace and security agenda, making it one of the main objectives of the government and the conclusion of peace was listed as -high priority- among the transitional government’s tasks. Hence, The Juba Peace Agreement 2020 was concluded and process with SPLM-North started. As to women, peace and security, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and AU resolutions related to women, peace and Security was for the first time a state obligation by the constitution. To date, the government has endorsed a National Action Plan on SCR 1325 (NAP 1325) and draft Action Plan on SCR 1325 in Blue Nile State and South Darfur State.  

The transitional period, However, has faced many challenges and the situation became complex as a result of the coup /military takeover of 25th October 2021. The dissolution of government and partnership with the FFC and the subsequent amendments to the CD 2019 created new challenges characterized by political instability and high polarization. Despite this and with all that differences in visions of the future of the Juba Peace Agreement 2020, its implementations remains a constitutional liability. In addition, the defacto authorities called the Sudan People Liberation Movement-North to resume negotiations. The current regime called on SPLM-North to resume negotiations on a peace agreement and stated that implementing the Juba Peace Agreement 2020 remains a constitutional obligation. The women, peace and security agenda are also part of the Juba Peace Agreement 2020. 

With the objective of restoring the course of this transformation, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) initiated a initiative calling for intra Sudanese talks which later with the in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people. At a later stage, a combined efforts of (UNITAMS), the African Union (AU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has started to facilitate the political process to restore a civilian-led transition to democracy in Sudan. UN Women as part of the UN System is coordinating with UNITAMS to ensure that voices of women are heard, and women are represented in the process led by UNITAMS, AU and IGAD.

Despite the political challenges, and that the current political unrest could squander the important political, social and economic gains made since the Revolution, working on women, peace and security remains necessary. Ensuring that the gains are not lost but also capitalized on, that NAP1325 is implemented across the whole Sudan, women’s voices are heard at all micro, meso and macro peace processes remains vital. 

Reporting to the UN Women Country Representative for Sudan, the consultant will play a key role in coordinating UN Women’s women, peace and security programming, coordination with UN Country Team members and UNITAMS counterparts, liaising with women’s organizations and women’s human rights defenders to advance women, peace and security objectives in the country. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide programme development advisory services on peace processes in the framework of the women, peace and security agenda;

• Strengthen women’s meaningful participation in peace processes and implementation of concluded peace agreements including planning and developing of future support and activities to the government and UN partners, including through planning and executing strategic capacity building and technical workshops and engagement with women’s civil society organizations.
• Provide technical and coordination support to the development and provision of policy advice on women’s participation in peace processes, at all levels and all stages of a peace process, including through organizing periodic consultations with key stakeholders, including women leaders, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs on programme implementation and design, as necessary.
• Keep abreast of the latest global and normative frameworks and guidance on WPS, with a particular focus on women’s participation in peace process.

Provide programme development advisory services and develop programmes in the area of Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action:

• Oversee and manage the design and formulation of programme proposals and initiatives; Identify programmatic areas for support and interventions.
• Finalize country strategy documents, programme/ project proposals, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents.
• Organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders, women leaders, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs on programme design, as necessary.

Manage the implementation and management of the Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian action programme:

• Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation.
• Manage the technical implementation of the programme/ project; provide technical advice; ensure synergies with other teams.
• Review the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports as required.
• Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators.
• Lead Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings.

Oversee technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners:

• Provide technical advice to partners.
• Build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian action programme; respond to any potential problems.
• Serve as an expert resource to partners on mainstreaming gender into emergency response and peacebuilding.
• Implement and oversee capacity building opportunities and initiatives.
• Provide partners with advanced technical assistance, training and capacity development initiatives.

Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme/ project:

• Manage the process of monitoring the programme/ project’s resources and finances using results-based management tools.
• Finalize quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
• Write donor and UN Women reports.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and develop potential opportunities for resource mobilization.
• Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

Manage inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action:

• Provide substantive technical support to the Representative and Deputy Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees.
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.
• Take part in country level Common Country Assessment (CCA)/ United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework (UNSDPF) processes and similar exercises related to the RC system.
• Prepare substantive inputs to CCA/ UNSDPF and other documents, as necessary.

Lead advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts:

• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Women Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action.
• Manage advocacy strategies and their implementation.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning.
• Lead the development of knowledge management strategies and methodologies and products on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality programme strategies and contributions to Strategic Note.
• Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget, workplans and the Strategic Note, as well as in line with operational rules and regulations, including security.
• Strong and clear leadership/ supervision of team, including through performance plans and reviews.
• Partners and other stakeholder provide positive feedback on advisory and technical services.
• Quality reports and timely submission.
• Quality of advocacy, communication and knowledge management initiatives.
• Resources mobilized.Strong relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, 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:

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, particularly in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Technical experience in Women Peace, Security and gender-responsive humanitarian action.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset.
• Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic language is highly desired.

Please note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment .

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.