Job Title: Senior Consultant on Anti-Racism
Purpose of consultancy and deliverables:
Addressing racism and racial discrimination is one of UNFPA’s goals. We firmly stand as an anti-racist organization, and are continuously working to address racism in the workplace by raising awareness of employee experiences, developing capacities amongst managers and staff through training and coaching on inclusive leadership, enhancing our abilities to call in discriminatory behaviors, and reviewing our policies and the effects of our practices to recognize and address systemic racism. UNFPA is clear in its commitment to develop an equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees feel a sense of belonging.
Our commitment to anti-racism became more engaging through a series of talks revolving around various aspects of racial discrimination that we hosted for the benefit of our colleagues. Few examples of these conversations are: “Calling In the Calling Out” Culture – Bridging Our Differences to Shape a Positive Culture” (June 2021), “Racism and Universalism” and “Racism and Colorism” (August 2022), “Black Health Matters: National and Transnational COVID-19 Impact, Resistance, and Intervention Strategies Project” (September 2022). We have published podcasts, designed workshops, established checklists on how to be anti-racist, partnered with other agencies for global events, and even launched a series of 10 “Leadership Dialogues” for the members of our senior leadership to foster a culture of accountability vis-à-vis discriminatory behavior.
Further to a Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) Report to review measures and mechanisms for addressing racism and racial discrimination in the UN system organizations (JIU/NOTE/2022/1/Rev.1) and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Strategic Action Plan on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All (SAP), UNFPA wishes to raise the bar even higher and have concrete actions to ensure how to transform the organization into a workplace where racism is actively addressed and there is accountability for racist conduct ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all.
In this context, the Division for Human Resources Directorate is looking for an expert consultant to support the anti-racism efforts by building on what we have achieved thus far.
More specifically, under the direct supervision of the Director, Division for Human Resources, and in partnership with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, and other stakeholders, the consultant will:
● Assess UNFPA’s anti-racism culture by looking at practices and systems, as well as reporting and accountability mechanisms
● Propose strategic actions to accelerate progress towards fighting racial discrimination at all duty stations
● Suggest ways to implement a stronger Senior Accountability Mechanism at the leadership level to better and more effectively address racism and racial behaviors
● Work in partnership with other stakeholders to provide a more intersectional support to a racism-free organization
● Coordinate actions to implement the JIU recommendations
● Perform any other duties as appropriate.
Required Expertise and Qualifications:
Education:
● Master’s (preferred) with 7+ years of professional experience in any of these fields: Social Justice, Anti-racism, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Organizational Behavior.
Knowledge and experience:
● Extensive and broad professional experience in the field of anti-racism
● Excellent written and oral communication skills, comfortable at speaking in front of larger audiences
● Design, creation and management of anti-racism communication and workshops
● Strong skills in PowerPoint, Excel, Word
● Excellent high-level reporting skills
● Experience with UN or in multinational context is highly desired
Languages:
● working knowledge in English required; knowledge of additional UN language such as French, Spanish, Arabic is desired
How to Apply:
Please send your CV and motivation letter with “Senior Consultant on Anti-Racism” as subject line and email the documents to dei@unfpa.org by 22 August 2024.
