Research, Analysis and Advocacy Consultant – Home based with travels to Kabul

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.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. It is essential that Afghan women and girls can continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan. UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic, and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has four key programmed priorities (1) Gender in Humanitarian Action, (2) Ending Violence Against Women, (3) Women’s Economic Empowerment, and (4) Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

Under the overall guidance of the GiHA Specialist, the GiHA Research, Analysis, and Advocacy Specialist works with and provides support to the UN Women GiHA team and the GiHA working group through the development of research, management of research products, and dedicated support to the WAG and broader GiHA advocacy.

The consultant will be reporting to the Humanitarian Specialist and will be supported by the Humanitarian Specialist, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant leads the development of knowledge products and advocacy to enable UN Women and the GiHA WG to inform the overall humanitarian response and decision-making with tailored gender-disaggregated data, information on women’s access to assistance, and women’s perception of humanitarian assistance. The consultancy will contribute to enhancing overall gender outcomes in the humanitarian response in Afghanistan.

The consultant will perform the following functions:

1. Design and develop research initiatives related to gender in humanitarian action in Afghanistan

• Design and formulate programmed/ project proposals and initiatives related to advancing research on gender in humanitarian action in Afghanistan.
• Design, manage, and/or commission knowledge products for UN Women and the GiHA WG, including perception surveys and other research initiatives.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data and draft reports for publication, including gender alerts and rapid gender analyses when crises occur.
• When needed, undertake field missions to collect qualitative data to inform knowledge products and provide support to regional GiHA WGs in developing data-driven products.
• Supervise firms required to implement research initiatives.
• Coordinate dissemination of knowledge products and related advocacy
• Organize and implement seminars, launches, and meetings related to research and analysis.

2.  Provide support to the Women Advisory Group to the Humanitarian Country Team

• Lead day-to-day secretariat and technical support to the WAG including support to the group day to day functioning, in support of the WAG’s annual work plan implementation.
• Provide support to the WAG in issuing recommendations, statements, and other documents.
• Provide support to members ahead of high-level meetings.
• Develop training and peer learning initiatives for the WAG to build the capacities of members.

3. Provide support to humanitarian coordination and lead GiHA WG advocacy initiatives.

• Track and monitor developments related to gender in humanitarian action in Afghanistan.
• Attend meetings, and events, and participate in groups and committees as needed.
• Carry out regular information sharing and consultations with stakeholders, including GiHA WG members, local civil society, and humanitarian actors at Kabul and field level.
• Coordinate with other clusters, UN agencies, and I/NNGOs to ensure research and advocacy efforts are harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.
• Develop and review background documents, briefs, and presentations related to GiHA WG.
• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide GiHA WG’s strategic positioning.

4. Provide responsive support to the WPS team.

• Provide responsive support to the WPS team, including by supporting in tool development related to research and analysis, and in undertaking analysis and capacity development.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a remote consultancy, with some missions to Afghanistan.

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/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: 

• Ability to design research initiatives.
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to create, edit, and present information in clear and presentable formats.
• Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence, and reports information and workflow.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender, international relations, international development, international law or other social science fields 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:

• At least 5 years experience in gender-related research and advocacy
• Experience in data analysis, development of data collection tools, and quantitative and qualitative research
• Experience working in a humanitarian response is an asset.

Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups or multi-stakeholder partnerships is highly desirable.

Languages:

• Working knowledge of English
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

How to Apply:

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)

Application:

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality, and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Inclusion Statement:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits employ, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)