BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Advisory Group on Gender Issues (AGGI) is an independent advisory body that represents women around the globe, created by Governing Council Resolution 23/1 of 2011 to advise and support the Executive Director on all issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, including gender mainstreaming in UN-Habitat’s work.

AGGI’s mandate is to advise on strengthening the link and coherence between UN- Habitat’s policies and normative framework and its operational activities on women’s empowerment and gender equality, and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, and the SDGs of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

COMPOSITION

AGGI has 13 members with the broadest possible representation, including age, regional and gender balance, and professional backgrounds.

The Resolution 23/1 specifies the composition of AGGI as “consisting of representatives of women’s organizations (both grassroots and professional organizations), academic institutions, the private sector, local authorities, and policy makers and decision makers in Governments, taking into account equal regional representation”. AGGI has 2 representatives from the UNH CPR (Council of Permanent Representatives) and one from UN-Women who are not elected but appointed.

The members of the AGGI serve in their own capacity and are nominated and appointed on the basis of their experience and expertise on gender equality and the empowerment of women in sustainable urban development, the New Urban Agenda, and the UN system, In addition they shall have knowledge and consolidated experience in at least one of the UN-Habitat thematic priority areas, urban issues, the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, and the Agenda 2030.

Candidates are nominated by public, private or non-profit organizations, and the application forms are signed by their legal representative.

In this call the founding members of AGGI are not eligible for continuing their mandates. Three current members are continuing their mandates, representing universities (1), the private sector (1), and local governments (1).

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

A selection committee of six people (3 proposed by the AGGI, and 3 proposed by UN-Habitat) will make up the Selection Committee.
The three members proposed by AGGI are: a representative from the Huairou Commission appointed by the organization; Inés Sánchez de Madariaga; Teresa Boccia.
The three members proposed by UN-Habitat are: Shipra Narang Suri, Claudia Scheufler, Angela Mwai
The categories to be filled are 7:
Women’s organizations (both grassroots and professional network organizations): 4
Academic and research institutions: 1
Local authorities, policymakers, and governments: 1
Private sector: 1
The Selection Committee will elaborate an ordered list of candidates within the period of two months.
Within one additional month the potential candidates will be contacted, and their response received.

APPOINTMENT

The UN-Habitat Executive Director will take the final decision on the recommended nominees from the selection committee and officially appoint them to the AGGI.
The duration to complete the process is within six months.

HOW TO SEND A NOMINATION

Please find enclosed copies of the terms of reference (with related annexes; Annex 1 Gender Resolutions 2023, Annex 2 Gender Terms 2023, and Annex 3 Nomination Selection Process 2023 ) and nomination form.

Please complete and submit the enclosed application form via email to: pamela.murage@un.org