Advocacy and Coordination Support Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. It consolidates the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, supporting UN Member States in setting standards for gender equality and working with governments and civil society to implement these standards. The organization has a significant presence in East and Southern Africa, covering 25 countries through twelve country offices and various programs. Its mission is to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between genders in all aspects of life, including development, human rights, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy and Coordination Support Consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the implementation of the Advocacy, Coalition Building and Transformative Feminist Action (ACT) to End Violence Against Women Programme. This position focuses on supporting the coordination of advocacy strategies, facilitating communication among partner organizations, and ensuring that activities align with the regional advocacy agenda. The consultant will be responsible for monitoring and documenting advocacy initiatives, sharing knowledge, and enhancing the overall impact of ongoing efforts to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG). The role requires a proactive approach to improve collaboration and efficiency among stakeholders while respecting the strategic leadership provided by existing partner organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Coordination Support: Organizing regular meetings among ACT partners and connecting with broader VAWG stakeholders to ensure effective communication, resource sharing, and collaboration opportunities.
• Technical Support: Assisting partners in planning and executing advocacy activities, preparing briefing notes, supporting events, and drafting outcome documents to highlight key results.
• Monitoring and Documentation: Tracking the progress of advocacy activities, documenting outcomes, and consolidating reports and case studies for both internal learning and external communication.
• Knowledge Products: Supporting the development of knowledge products, creating country-specific ACT frameworks, and including updates in UN Women’s monthly communications.
• Administrative Support: Assisting in organizing consultations, webinars, and multi-partner engagements to enhance the visibility and impact of advocacy efforts.
• Capacity Support: Providing guidance to partners on coordination mechanisms, reporting, and information management to streamline advocacy strategy implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completion of secondary education as a minimum requirement, with a degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills, with experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and engagement with civil society, governments, or regional bodies. Knowledge of VAWG issues and regional gender policy frameworks, as well as familiarity with UN Women’s work, is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a secondary education, with a preference for candidates holding a degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Relations, or Development Studies. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of gender equality and women's rights advocacy.

Experience:
A minimum of 3 years of experience is required, specifically in supporting advocacy, coordination, or programmatic initiatives related to gender equality and women's rights. Candidates should have a proven track record of working effectively in multi-stakeholder environments and possess strong organizational and communication skills. Experience in engaging with civil society, governments, or regional bodies is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Additionally, a working knowledge of another UN language is considered an advantage, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders across different regions.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 6 months, with the consultant reporting directly to the ACT Programme Regional Coordinator. Weekly check-ins and progress updates will be conducted to ensure alignment with ongoing advocacy activities. The position emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. The role is designed to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a rigorous selection process that includes background checks.