International Consultant -to Provide Support to the AULO on Continental EVAWG Engagements

Background

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains a significant violation of fundamental human rights and a pervasive expression of discrimination. It has severe short and long-term physical, psychological and socio- economic consequences, hindering women’s and girls’ full and equal participation in society.

Although most African Union (AU) Member States signed international and regional human rights treaties, committed to translating them into national legislation, strategies, and action plans, progress has been slow and inconsistent. Even after more than 40 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in

1979, and 20 years after the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) in 2003, diverse and persistent forms of violence continue to affect millions of women and girls on the continent.

As part of UN Women’s comprehensive approach, the UN Women Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA works with partners, in particular the African Union Commission, to design and implement interventions that seek to end VAWG across the continent. These programmes include the African Union (AU) High Level Presidential Initiative (HLPI) on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa, the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), addressing conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) among others.

The AU-HLPI on Positive Masculinity coordinates the AU Men’s Conference whose resolutions have led to the decision to negotiate the adoption of the AU EVAWG Convention. UN Women has been a significant partner to the initiative through the Presidential Working Group and in coordinating stakeholder consultations with traditional and religious leaders, youth, CSOs and women leaders through AWLN. UN Women also supported the AU Commission to design a Campaign on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. First announced during the Kinshasa Men’s Conference in 2021 and later launched during the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol on 10 July 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya, the Campaign will ensure that the voices of African citizens are effectively included in the continental EVAWG response as well as the entire process of the development of the AU CEVAWG.

With the aim of ending all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) by 2030, the European Union and the United Nations have been collaborating on the Spotlight Initiative programme which seeks to prevent and respond to all forms of VAWG. With the AUC as the main regional partner, supported by Recipient United Nations Organisations (RUNOs), namely, UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, the Initiative has amassed unique technical, operational, and strategic experience in designing, setting up and implementing complex, multi-stakeholder interventions on ending violence against women and girls at all levels.  Building on the impactful results, the wealth of knowledge acquired as well as lessons learnt during the first phase of the Initiative (2017-2023), Spotlight Initiative 2.0, a successor programme is currently under development and seeks to galvanize crucial efforts at continental level.

To support the achievement of all the above, the UN Women LO is looking to recruit an expert to support the coordination of its political, advocacy and technical engagement with the African Union on EVAWG under the overall supervision of the Special Representative to the AU and UNECA, as well as in coordination with AUC departments and organs, the Spotlight Initiative RUNOs, and the wider UN Women colleagues at regional and country level. In addition, the Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the AULO’s efforts to elaborate key strategic documents related to EVAWG, including concept notes, programme documents, programme guidance and any other documents necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Foster  strategic  partnerships  with  the  AUC,  development  partners,  civil  society organizations and other identified stakeholders:

• Facilitate the political engagement, advocacy and technical engagement with the AUC on EVAWG
• Support the organization of meetings and participation of the AULO in strategic continental EVAWG platforms and ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination with and between AULO and key stakeholders including AUC, Civil Society Organizations, development partners, donors and other relevant actors.
• Facilitate  and coordinate  strategic advocacy efforts to  mobilise  resources  (including through the coordination of high-level events and donor round tables, as advised by the Special Representative).
• Participate in the Partners Platform for the AU HLPI on Positive Masculinity and the development of the AU EVAWG Convention.

Work in close collaboration with and provide technical advice and support to the UN Women AULO:

• Support the Special Representative in the coordination of the Liaison Team Gender
• Thematic Group including on EVAWG.
• Support consultations between the UNDCO and UN Agencies on GEWE initiatives.
• Provide backstopping as necessary to WCARO and CO on EVAWG programming.This entails crafting the proposal, table of contents (TOC), results framework, and budget.
• Identify AULO’s technical and operational needs and propose options to address these gaps.

 Provide  strategic  support  in  the  planning  and  development  of  key  strategic documents:

• In consultation with the AULO EVAWG team lead the development and formulation of key
• strategic documents. This may include, but is not limited to strategic notes, the elaboration of concept notes, programme documents.
• Engage in the review and enhancement of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with AUC and UNECA contribute to drafting an operational plan. Lead and coordinate technical sessions with stakeholders for collecting information and consolidating inputs from relevant actors.
• When necessary, organize validation meetings on relevant initiative and/or programme document.

Communications, Advocacy and Resource mobilization:

• Provide advice and support to the AULO and UN Women Teams on high-impact advocacy activities with relevant partners.
• Provide technical programme management support input to review and development of programme resource mobilization strategies.
• Prepare  relevant  documentation  on  donors  and  develop  potential  opportunities  for resource mobilization.

Execute any other tasks as instructed by the Special Representative.

Key Deliverables

•  Inception Report highlighting the consultant’s understanding of and approach to the scope of work, and draft tools for use in collecting useful information.
• Craft a strategy to effectively engage with various stakeholders, both internal and external, including UN Women teams, to optimize communication channels and enhance the value proposition of the Letter of Offer (LO) in relation to the project.
• Draft a comprehensive EVAWG strategy and Programme Document for AULO, with a clear results framework, the Theory of Change (TOC), key activities, indicators,  existing and
• potential source of funding and indicative budgets, elaborated MEAL Plan, Communication and Visibility plan and work plan in phases.
• A  proposal  of  implementation  arrangements  and  strategies,  ensuring  coherence  and complementarity within and across the pillars, and avoiding duplication.

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education 

• Master’s  degree  or  equivalent  in  Gender  Studies,  Political  Science,  International Development, International Relations, Development Economics, Public Administration or any other relevant field

Experience:

• At least 15 of progressively responsible work experience in planning, developing, and implementing development programmes focused on promoting gender equality and eliminating violence against women and girls.
• Experience of working with Multiple partners –including, AUC, government, civil society organizations, development partners including the EU and UN Agencies
• Has successfully implemented a wide range of methodologies in the development of gender and EVAWG programmes.
• Experience working in an African contexte with high level officials, civil society and Africa Think tanks.
• Good understanding of the socio, economic and political context in most of the AU regions
• Knowledge of continental policy, legal and institutional frameworks related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the key principles and parameters of the Spotlight Initiative is recommended.
• Knowledge and solid experience with results-based management.
• Previous experience working with the Spotlight Initiative is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.
• Good knowledge of the UN system and UN Reform is an asset.

Languages:

•    Fluency in English and French is required.

How To Apply 

• Personal CV or P11 (P11 can be downloaded from:  )
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.