WPS Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in promoting gender equality. UN Women works globally 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 operates in multiple countries, focusing on various initiatives aligned with the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which is supported by several UN Security Council Resolutions.

Job Overview:
The WPS Consultant will oversee the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda portfolio for UN Women in Somalia, particularly in light of the evolving peace and security context. This role is crucial for strengthening Somalia's implementation of its National Action Plan on WPS (2022–2026). The consultant will be responsible for leading the design and drafting of project proposals, providing strategic guidance, and ensuring high-quality implementation of the WPS agenda. The consultant will also support the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies to enhance women's participation and leadership in peacebuilding and governance processes. The position requires a strong commitment to gender equality and the ability to navigate complex political and social landscapes to promote women's rights and empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance in the design and adaptation of WPS programming, ensuring coherence with national peacebuilding priorities and the UN Women Global Strategic Plan.
• Lead or contribute to conflict and gender analyses to inform programme design and decision-making.
• Ensure alignment of WPS interventions with ongoing governance, humanitarian response, and development programming.
• Develop terms of reference and supervise consultants working towards programme delivery.
• Coordinate with WPS project staff and focal persons at various levels to ensure smooth implementation.
• Provide technical support to UN, Government, and CSOs partners on WPS.
• Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme, including onboarding processes for Implementing Partners.
• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support the implementation of the WPS programme.
• Identify and lead the development of new programming and partnership opportunities. 1
• Contribute to inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent presence for WPS in Somalia. 1
• Support the development of policy briefs and communication materials to influence WPS-related policy processes.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science Research, Statistics, Peace Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Gender, Development, Communications, or Public Relations. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Project/programme management certification is an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in WPS, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and management.
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder organizations, including governments, CSOs, and UN institutions.
• Knowledge of gender equality and peacebuilding issues in Somalia is desirable.
• Strong report writing and development of knowledge products skills.
• Proven ability to mobilize resources for gender and peacebuilding initiatives.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Social Science Research, Peace Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Gender, Development, or Communications. 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 would be beneficial.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to Women, Peace and Security, peacebuilding, conflict analysis, and crisis management. Experience in working with multi-stakeholder organizations, including government entities, civil society organizations, and international institutions, is highly desirable. Familiarity with the post-conflict context in Somalia and issues related to gender equality and peacebuilding is also preferred.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of any other UN official language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this role.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be based in Mogadishu, requiring a high level of in-person engagement for effective implementation of the WPS portfolio. Regular on-site coordination with Federal Government ministries, civil society partners, and UN agencies is essential. The role involves participation in high-level meetings and providing timely technical support. UN Women emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment practices are fair and equitable. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to verify credentials and employment history.