UN Coordination and Normative Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM, which focused on gender equality. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and operates in multiple countries, focusing on advancing gender equality through strategic partnerships and accountability mechanisms.

Job Overview:
The UN Coordination and Normative Consultant position is designed to provide technical assistance and strategic advisory support to UN Women in Uganda. The consultant will play a crucial role in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across the UN system and the broader development landscape. This involves engaging in normative and intergovernmental processes, strengthening partnerships, and contributing to knowledge generation and capacity development efforts. The consultant will work closely with the Country Representative and Deputy Representative, providing strategic and technical leadership to ensure that UN Women's coordination and normative mandates are effectively implemented. The role requires a deep understanding of gender issues, UN system coordination, and the ability to navigate complex inter-agency environments to promote accountability for gender equality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of key tasks, including providing technical and strategic support to advance UN Women’s gender coordination and normative mandate. This includes developing strategic briefs, concept notes, and position papers to support coordination and normative engagement. The consultant will lead Uganda CO's engagement in intergovernmental processes such as CEDAW and the Commission on the Status of Women, providing advisory support to enhance stakeholder engagement in gender equality initiatives. Additionally, the consultant will coordinate the implementation of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard, manage the secretariat of the Gender Development Partners Group, and facilitate capacity strengthening initiatives for various stakeholders. The role also involves knowledge management, including the documentation of promising practices and lessons learned from inter-agency coordination efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in International Relations, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Social Sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® is considered an advantage. Strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills are essential, along with familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Women’s coordination and normative mandates.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as International Relations, Gender Studies, or Social Sciences. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. A project management certification is a plus, indicating a strong foundation in managing complex projects and programs.

Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level in gender equality and women’s empowerment is required. Candidates should have strong technical experience in advancing gender equality, human rights, and normative frameworks, as well as proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder coordination and building strategic partnerships. Experience within the United Nations system, particularly in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, is highly desirable. Familiarity with the East and Southern Africa region, especially in fragile or conflict-affected settings, is an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based and full-time, located in Kampala, Uganda. The position requires a commitment to UN Women’s values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. Candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.