International Consultant – Gender Expert on Engaging men and boys in gender equality (SSA)

Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

As the largest regional security organization in the world, the OSCE has an important role to play in addressing the comprehensive aspects of women’s and men’s, girls’ and boys’ human rights and security. The Gender Issues Programme of the Office of OSCE Secretary General (hereinafter “Gender Section”) works towards the implementation of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan and relevant MC decisions and supports systematic efforts to mainstream gender equality across the Organization in all its policies, programmes, projects and activities in three dimensions of comprehensive security. 

The OSCE extra-budgetary project “WIN – Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality” (WIN project) contributes to advancing gender equality as a necessary prerequisite for achieving and maintaining stable, prosperous and peaceful societies in the OSCE area. The project aims to accelerate the implementation of the OSCE 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. It does this by developing sustainable capacity in the area of gender equality and comprehensive security in selected participating States in close coordination and cooperation with ODIHR and other Executive Structures. Moreover, it contributes to transforming harmful social norms, unequal power relations, traditional attitudes and behaviours of decision makers in favour of gender equality; strengthening women’s networks and networks of male advocates; and empowering women to participate in conflict prevention.

Men have an important role to play in the promotion of gender equality, both as change-makers and ultimate beneficiaries. OSCE executive structures implement a wide range of activities, projects and programmes to implement the Organization’s gender equality commitments in line with the relevant Ministerial Council Decisions. 

For example, the OSCE Ministerial Council in 2018 recognised “the importance of actively engaging men and boys in efforts towards elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and girls, including by addressing the root causes of gender inequality and violence and by raising awareness about the impact of negative attitudes, behaviours, and gender stereotypes that can underlie and perpetuate discrimination and violence”.

In addition, capitalizing on the experience, OSCE Gender Issues Programme’s WIN project  and ODIHR’s CHANGE project (Capitalizing on the Human Dimension Mandate to Advance Gender Equality), joined efforts to host the OSCE Conference “Women and Men: working together for equal rights” – a catalytic event aimed to strengthen male engagement, provide new energy and tools for the existing practices and raise awareness on good practice examples within the OSCE region, which took place in Warsaw, Poland in December 2023. 

In light of this, the OSCE Gender Issues Programme is looking for qualified experts to conduct specific assignments to achieve further results in the area of engaging men and boys in gender equality.  

 

Objective of Assignment:

The OSCE Gender Issues Programme is looking to recruit consultants to conduct specific assignments to achieve further results in the area of engaging men and boys and to support joint work by WIN and CHANGE looking into existing and emerging practices on engaging men to support gender equality.

 

Duration of Assignment:

The duration of the consultancies will depend on specific activity.

 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of respective Project Manager, the expert/consultant shall be performing the following duties:

1. Prepare dedicated summaries, reports and guidance documents tailored to different audiences of OSCE participating States and other stakeholders;
2. Develop and finetune practical toolkits on engaging men and boys, including for different OSCE sub-regions and sectors;
3. Develop and deliver interactive and transformative trainings for different audiences (participating States representatives, OSCE staff, civil society organizations);
4. Design and implement research on lived experiences of male allies and their coping strategies in addressing gender backsliding;
5. Conduct analyses of patterns of resistance and breakthrough in engaging men to support gender equality.

Deliverables:

For more detailed information on the projects related to this Roster call, please see below links:

WIN project: https://www.osce.org/winproject

CHANGE project: https://www.osce.org/odihr.change

 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level University degree in relevant area (gender studies, social or political sciences);
• Minimum six years of professional experience at national and/or international level in the area of gender equality, particularly in engaging men and boys;
• Knowledge of/Experience working in the OSCE region would be an asset;
• Proven experience in conducting research and drafting written products on the topic of engaging men and boys and tailored to different audiences;
• Experience in conducting training sessions for audiences with a diverse, multi-lingual background, including by using innovative approaches, and by using virtual technology as appropriate;
• Professional fluency in English including excellent drafting and editing skills;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Flexibility and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

 

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

 

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

 

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

 

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

 

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.