International Consultant-Program Specialist – UNWOMEN

BACKGROUND

The Young Women Leaders’ Caucus (YWC) of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), in partnership with the African Union Commission and the United Nations, including with the Office of the African Union Commission Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security (OSEWPS), Office of the Youth Envoy (OYE), the AUC Directorate of Women, Gender and Youth (WGYD) and UN Women are organizing the third “African Women Leaders Network Intergenerational Retreat on Leadership in Africa” as part of the 1 Million by 2021 Initiative: Africa unite for youth- Bridging the gap and reaching out to African youth.”

The first and second AWLN Intergenerational retreat occurred in August 2019 and November 2020 respectively under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta and Former President of the Republic of Liberia and Patron of the AWLN, H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Strong commitments were made to continue to intentionally unite leaders; young and senior women leaders, to be more inclusive in all aspects of leadership and build a sustainable, innovative and cross-generational mentorship structure, notably through the adoption of a two-year plan of action and a joint declaration.

The African Women Leaders Network has established 25 chapters across the continent that are leading in efforts to galvanize women leadership in the transformation of the continent, leaving no one behind, including the youth and women in grassroots communities.  As part of the national chapters, young women caucus are leading outstanding engagements to raise young women’s voice, aspiration and expertise to address the gaps of meaningful young women participation and contribution to change in Africa. The retreat will serve as a unique opportunity to build and strengthen synergy and advance the current conversation to the next step through an intergenerational lens.

In addition, the AUC-OSE and UN Women in partnership with the AWLN Ethiopia Chapter, propose to convene AWLN Africa youth caucus on the implementation of Generation Equality (GE) Forum commitments on the Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action and the visions of the GE Action coalition, specifically the actions under WPS-HA Compact and the Feminist leadership agenda. The convening is expected to take place in November 2021.

Under this engagement, activities will be grouped into five main clusters:

1. Intergenerational retreat on young women’s leadership and building bridges with seasoned leaders for professional and personal development;
2. Innovative and cross-generational online mentorship platform to create dialogue spaces and support system for young women across the continent;
3. Strategy to expand the establishment of young women caucus at National level with AWLN National Chapters;
4. Operationalize the 2020-2022 AWLN Intergeneration action plan into strategies, activities and measurable indicators
5. Engagement in policy spaces including in upcoming events CSW 2022, CPD 2022, UNGA 2022
6.  Post-Generation Equality Forum- African Young Women Leaders’ Caucus Consultative Meeting on the WPS-HA Compact

It is in this perspective that UN Women wishes to recruit a program consultant, to support the AWLN young women leaders caucus in the design, delivery, and dissemination of the above-indicated activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the Young Women caucus direction and the AWLN secretariat guidance, the consultant will be required to undertake the following:

 Program development, retreat planning and reporting

• Develop and support the strategy, content design and implementation of the retreat program , intergenerational dialogue and post GEF dialogue.
•  Discuss modalities to mobilize, consult and engage AWLN senior and youth, at regional
• and national levels as well as partner institutions.
• Produce a declaration at the end of the retreat and post GEF dialogue and a comprehensive report of the events and support post retreat engagements
•  Report on the implementation of the aforementioned activities

Mentoring program and website

• Review and enhance the terms of reference for the mentoring program and prepare all activities required for the mentoring program launch and implementation
• Lead in the identification of mentors and mentees and pairing them as per AWLN priority pillars;
• Co-lead the design of the mentorship website (format and content)
• Support the launch of the mentorship initiative

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism:

• Demonstrate a solid professional competence and expert knowledge in the area of communication, gender, politics or peace and security

Teamwork:

•   Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity. Organizational Awareness:
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

•     Be able to communicate easily and effectively, using various communication channels

Functional Competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of the global women, peace and security agenda, as well as related regional priorities in Africa
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Good knowledge of the African Union.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Must hold a MA in project management, Communication, Political science, Gender studies, Peace and Security or related field

Experience

• Minimum of five years relevant experience.
• Experience in the design and management of retreat, advocacy, website managements and mentoring initiatives will constitute an advantage.
• First-level  university  degree  in  combination  with  four  additional  years  of  qualifying experience   may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Language Requirement

• Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of French will constitute an advantage.