National Consultant- WPS & Humanitarian Action (Retainer)

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.

UN Women Kenya’s Strategic Note (SN) 2023-2026 envisions a state where gender relations empower women and men to make informed decisions, have equal access to and use of quality services, and control resources and assets in a secure, accountable, and inclusive nation. The Strategic Note has prioritized the following four impact areas: 1) Women leadership in decision making, 2) Women’s Economic Empowerment, 3) Ending Violence against Women and Girls and 4) and Women, Peace, and Security. The SN’s priorities are fully aligned to national priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the Global UN Women Strategic Plan (SP).

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) programme in Kenya Country Office is conceived and anchored within the framework of Kenya National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, the commitments of the World Humanitarian Summit, Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The programme embodies the “Leave No One Behind” principle, by ensuring the inclusion of women, youth and other marginalized groups in peace, security and humanitarian initiatives. The Programme focuses on two key areas; a) Development and implementation of gender responsive polices and frameworks on peace and security and DRR; and b) Women and girls have access to DRR and humanitarian services.

The consultant will report to Deputy Country Representative, and will be supported by Program Associate, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

The National Consultant will work closely with the WPS, Humanitarian Action (HA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) team to support implementation of key activities that relate to the WPS & HA at the country office while collaborating with both UN Women Regional and Global Offices.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Design and develop programme strategies in Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action

• Design and formulate programme/ project proposals and initiatives; and
• Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to WPSHA.

Manage the implementation and management of the WPSHA programme in line with the country Strategic Note

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

Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance.
• Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives.
• Build and manage relationships with country level partners to support implementation and expansion of the WPSHA programme; respond to any potential problems; and
• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners.

Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme project

• Manage the monitoring of programme/ project implementation and finances using results-based management tools.
• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions.
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes; and
• Contribute to office donor and UN Women report.

Manage the people and financial resources of the WPSHA programme

• Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

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

Contribute to inter-agency coordination on WPSHA to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in the ESA region

• Provide technical support to the Deputy Country Representative on inter-agency coordination on WPSHA related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees as needed; and
• 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.
• Provide technical support to the coordination of the Country GiHA Working Group.

Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the WPSHA portfolio, with a specific focus on women’s participation.
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to WPSHA as necessary.
• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning; and
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on WPSHA.

Provide capacity building and coordination support to Country Office on WPSHA

• Provide technical and policy support to the country office in developing and strengthening projects/ programmes on WPSHA.
• Implement and monitor capacity-building initiatives.
• Provide coordination support to Country Office to ensure peer and knowledge exchanges on the WPSHA portfolio.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

• This is an office-based consultancy.
• As part of this assignment, travel be as per assignment needs

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills;
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management;
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making;
• Strong knowledge of Women Peace and Security and Gender in Humanitarian Action;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, Conflict Studies, Political Sciences, Policy, Humanitarian Action, 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 an advanced university degree

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in Programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building
• Technical experience in social inclusion in humanitarian action and women, peace and security.
• Proven track record in management of projects and teams in a complex and diverse context involving multiple stakeholders is required.
• Experience working issues of gender equality and women’s rights and civil society organizations in Kenya.
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset.
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Swahili (written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Statements:

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.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, 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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.