National Consultant to Revise & Update Policies

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established in July 2010, UN Women was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, advocating for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving 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. UN Women leads and coordinates efforts within the UN system to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action worldwide, providing strong leadership in support of Member States' priorities and building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in revising and updating existing policies of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to align them with international conventions and national policies, particularly focusing on gender equality and women's empowerment. This position is part of a project aimed at enhancing the participation and leadership opportunities of women within the RSLAF, thereby improving the pool of eligible uniformed women for peacekeeping deployments. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including UN Women, RSLAF, and relevant ministries, to provide technical support and facilitate the establishment of a Policy Review Committee. The consultant will also be responsible for developing an action plan for the rollout of revised policies and ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into all aspects of the review process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: 1) Supporting the establishment and management of a Policy Review Committee, which involves developing terms of reference, standard operating procedures, and relevant tools. 2) Managing stakeholders throughout the policy review process and the development of a strategic plan. 3) Facilitating regular meetings of the Policy Review Committee and other relevant stakeholder meetings. 4) Conducting regional consultations across five regions to gather stakeholder feedback on policies. 5) Analyzing and reviewing RSLAF policies and developing a strategic plan in line with the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) policy and Act. 6) Validating and finalizing policies and the strategic plan with key stakeholders to ensure legal compliance and alignment with government policies. 7) Submitting the complete package of revised policies and strategic plans to UN Women and RSLAF.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of gender equality and women's rights issues, particularly in relation to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. They should have demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives and civil society organizations, along with proven networking skills. Strong writing and communication skills are essential, as is familiarity with the UN system and inter-governmental processes. Knowledge of the Sierra Leone policy environment, especially regarding security sector institutions, is crucial. Additionally, candidates should have strong IT skills, including proficiency in databases and office software, as well as strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in law, public policy and governance, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project or program management certification would be considered an added advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2 years of practical experience in policy research, developing and reviewing national and international policies and programs. Extensive experience in managing stakeholders in complex environments is necessary. Previous experience in conducting evaluations related to the WPS agenda or similar themes will be considered an asset. A strong understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment issues, as well as experience working with government or policy research in Sierra Leone, is required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of local languages would be considered an asset, enhancing communication with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and is open to Sierra Leonean nationals only. The consultant is expected to travel to various regions for consultations as part of their responsibilities. The position is part-time, with specific deliverables and timelines to be agreed upon with UN Women and RSLAF. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the recruitment process.