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 for women as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, peace, and security.

UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325, 2000) is the landmark resolution on women, peace and security (WPS) that links gender equality to the maintenance of international peace and security. The WPS agenda is a significant international normative and policy framework since it addresses the gender-specific impacts of conflict, political crisis, displacement, disaster, violent extremism, and mass atrocities on women and girls. Two decades and nine resolutions after, the WPS agenda continues to expand its footprint in global policymaking.

A Regional Framework Towards Peaceful, Inclusive Societies: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and Inclusive Governance in the Asia–Pacific Region (2023-2027)

Over the past 20 years, countries in the Asia and the Pacific region have made notable progress in furthering the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda. Thirteen countries, including the Philippines, have developed WPS National Action Plans, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted a Regional Plan of Action for WPS in 2022. However, critical gaps remain in implementing and supporting WPS efforts as women continue to be excluded and under-represented in all aspects of decision-making in the region.

Hence, UN Women in the Asia and the Pacific region continues to ensure strong linkages with the WPS agenda, complementing efforts to promote inclusive governance, the rule of law and women’s access to justice. In partnership with the Governments of Australia and the Republic of Korea, UN Women developed a five-year Regional Framework Towards Inclusive and Peaceful Societies, outlining strategies to tackle the most pressing governance and peace and security challenges across the Asia Pacific. The Regional Framework has two inter-connected pillars: (1) Women, Peace and Security, and (2) Inclusive Governance.

In the Philippines, UN Women has played a vital role in advancing the WPS agenda since 2015, including the support to advance the WPS normative framework at the national, regional and local levels, including the inclusion of gender and women empowerment provisions in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and subsequently the establishment of the Bangsamoro Women’s Commission (BWC) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In 2023, UN Women supported the development of the Philippine National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security 2023-2033 by conducting the TWG workshops on contextualization and RBM of the NAP WPS towards its finalization.
In 2024, UN Women seek a local consultant to support the work of the OPAPRU and the NSC of the NAP WPS to finalize the M&E Plan of the NAP WPS and ensure its localization.

The consultant will be reporting to the Programme Specialist, WPS Team Lead, and will be supported by the Programme Analyst of the WPS Unit of the UN Women Philippines, who will be the focal on contract and payment issues of this engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide coordination and substantive technical support to the implementation and management of the “A Regional Framework Towards Peaceful, Inclusive Societies: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and Inclusive Governance in the Asia-Pacific Region (2023-2027)”

• Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on programmes and projects from the planning to the implementation stages of the Governance, Peace and Security (GPS) Programme in the Philippines
• Lead the implementation of GPS Philippine portfolio to include the following activities.
  • Support the OPAPRU and PCW to organize bilateral meetings with key departments and agencies.
  • Support the organizing of two workshops on finalizing the M&E of the NAP WPS 2023-2033
  • Lead the organizing of one Localization Workshop of the NAP WPS 2023-2033
  • Conduct of GAD Courses for BARMM Officials

2. Provide implementation support to other UN Women and WPS programs in Manila including Women Peace Humanitarian Fund and JP on WPS with UNDP

• Provide support in coordinating with Manila-based and national partners for advocacy, partnerships, project implementation and other monitoring activities related to WPS
• Ensure participation on UN Women to BARMM related activities and other WPS network activities in BARMM, including the preparation for the International WPS Conference

3. Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management and communication

• Ensure the documentation of the GPS activities and communication products are developed in coordination with local WPS Team and the ROAP GPS Team
• Contribute to the exchange of information and provide inputs to the development of knowledge products internally and externally of the GPS programme;
• Coordinate the organization of major advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products.
• Provide inputs from GPS programme activities and results to Philippines Office reporting.

Deliverables

The National Consultant is expected to be based in Manila, Philippines, with applicable field missions in GPS project areas ( BARMM, Region V, Region VIII, Region CAR, Region CARAGA). The travel will be arranged by the WPS Unit following the UN Women Travel Policy and estimated maximum of two (2) official missions per month maybe conducted.

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/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of UN Women processes and systems
• Strong networking skills
• Strong inter-personal skills, communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization;
• Ability to work in a highly pressured environment
• Excellent facilitation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, political science, human rights, gender equality, management or other related areas is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with three additional two (2) of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum one (1) year of relevant experience in gender, peacebuilding or Women Peace and Security with a demonstrable ability in project coordination networking and support programming is required.
• Capability and proven experience in coordinating and implementing development projects and activities is required.
• Strong understanding and experience in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment, gender mainstreaming, gender analysis and the related mandates within the UN system is desirable.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation and communications skills and the ability to engage and negotiate amongst a wide range of stakeholders is desirable.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English and Filipino is required

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their electronic application to hr.bangkok@unwomen.org with cc to mariafe.mejia@unwomen.org not later than June 14, 2024, 17:00 NY, USA, time. The submission package includes:

• Personal CV or P11 (P11 can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc )
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)

Diversity and 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.