United Nations Economic Commission

Position: SENIOR WOMEN'S PROTECTION ADVISER

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 hour ago

Application Deadline: Feb, 10/2022 (28 days left)

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Office for the African Union (UNOAU), with a dual reporting line to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. [The post will also work closely with the Office of the Special Envoy for the Sudan and South Sudan, OHCHR East Africa Regional Office (EARO), and the African Union Commission.]

The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was established in 2010 by General Assembly Resolution 64/288 to enhance the partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent advice to the AU on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the UN presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering assistance to the AU. Cooperation between the two organizations has significantly intensified following the signing of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security on 19 April 2017, resulting in more strategic and forward-looking collaborative efforts in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.

The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC) is an office of the United Nations Secretariat that supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC). The Special Representative serves as the United Nations’ spokesperson and political advocate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). She chairs the United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) and her work is supported by the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law/Sexual Violence in Conflict (TOE). The Office was established by Security Council resolution (SCR) 1888 (2009), one in a series of resolutions that recognized the detrimental impact that sexual violence in conflict has on communities and acknowledged that this crime undermines efforts to ensure peace and security and rebuild societies once a conflict has ended.

The position is based in Addis Ababa and is located in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union. The incumbent will report to the [Special Representative to the African Union through the Chief of Staff of UNOAU], with a dual reporting [as 2nd Reporting Officer] line to the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict through the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Special Representative on Violence in Conflict.

The position is available for one year

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Senior Women Protection Adviser will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Under the supervision of the [Chief of Staff UNOAU] and Chief of Staff of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Senior Women’s Protection Advisor will support the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2242 (2015), 2331(2016) and 2467 (2019) on Conflict-related Sexual Violence.
• The Senior Women’s Protection Adviser will work in close collaboration with relevant roles and components of UNOAU, the OHCHR East Africa Regional Office (EARO), Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the African Union Commission in the implementation of the [Framework of Cooperation with UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security], and provide advice and support to national authorities as required. S/he will actively engage with all relevant parties on CRSV concerns and will provide technical advice and assistance to them in collaboration with the entities noted above and other relevant entities of the UN country team;
• Support the work of the Senior Women’s Protection Advisors deployed in UN Peace Operations in the region;
• Oversee the provision of advice and support to government and non-governmental counterparts in collaboration with relevant UNOAU and UN counterparts, and foster close working partnerships with all UN stakeholders, including the UN Country Team. Specifically, the Senior Women’s Protection Adviser will:
• Advise the SRSG, senior UNOAU leadership [and AU Commission leadership] on the implementation of the AU-UN Framework of Cooperation on CRSV and on strategies for prevention and response of conflict-related sexual violence, including the integration of CRSV considerations in the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, guidance and operational activities, and continue engaging in dialogue with all relevant parties
• Advice SRSG UNOAU and SRSG-SVC on the engagement with the African Union Peace and Security Council;
• Provide guidance on the conflict-related sexual violence agenda to UN system entities, as required;
• Establish, convene and coordinate the program and activities of a UN Working Group on Conflict-related Sexual Violence (WG) at the regional level and ensure coherence of decisions made by its members, including with respect to the Protection Cluster and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Sub-Cluster;
• Engage with the protection Cluster and GBV Sub-Cluster to ensure that decisions and actions from the WG are coordinated;
• Support as appropriate the implementation of the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) under resolution 1960 in relevant mission and country setting in Africa;
• Coordinate the implementation of reporting obligations on conflict-related sexual violence;
• Support the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security as appropriate; In coordination with relevant UNOAU and UNCT components and UNHCR EARO, and in collaboration with the Government, NGOs, and donors, promote the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies on the prevention and response to sexual violence in conflict, including advocacy and capacity-building strategies, to address sexual and gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence that recognize and promote national ownership;
• Promote regular and appropriate information exchange and greater coherence and coordination of the mission with UN entities and AU Commission and national authorities in response to conflict-related sexual violence;
• Ensure that conflict-related sexual violence concerns are reflected in Results-based Budgeting (RBB) frameworks and other strategic planning documents. Ensure regular and appropriate information exchange on conflict-related sexual violence developments, and with UN headquarters focal points;
• Provide the necessary support to the [Office of the SRSG] in order to strengthen and reinforce coordination and cooperation with the donor community, inter-governmental agencies, and regional organizations in response to conflict-related sexual violence;
• Implement responsibilities in line with the Terms of Reference for the Senior Women’s Protection Advisers, the UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict/SRSG-SVC guidance, and other relevant UN and AU guidelines and policies; and
• Perform other relevant duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors' language, tone, style, and format match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Judgment/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers the positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Job - Specific Qualification

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, law, international relations, development studies, or a related field. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competency Based Interview

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, protection of civilians, gender, humanitarian affairs, political affairs, or a related area is required.
• A minimum of three years of field experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.
• Experience supporting or facilitating multi-stakeholder policy and/or advocacy processes at the national level is required.
• Experience engaging with and advising senior host Government officials is desirable.
• Experience working in a UN Peacekeeping Operation, Special Political Mission, or other UN and related field operation is desirable.
• Experience working in Africa is desirable

Languages

• English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required...

Assessment

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

How to Apply

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United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on the “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.