Senior WPS Expert

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the United Nations reform agenda, aimed at consolidating resources and mandates to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, advocating for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving gender equality in various sectors including 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, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and discrimination.

Job Overview:
The Senior WPS Expert position is crucial for strengthening the strategic support to the Peace for Sudan movement, which aims to consolidate women's priorities for peace and link women leaders with regional peace processes. This role is designed to ensure that women's perspectives are integrated into peace initiatives and national and regional decision-making processes. The expert will work under the guidance of the WPS programme Specialist and will be responsible for providing technical assistance, facilitating advocacy, and enhancing partnerships to amplify women's participation in peace and security decision-making. The position requires a deep understanding of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, particularly in the context of Sudan, where ongoing conflict has severely impacted women's rights and safety. The expert will engage with various stakeholders, including women's groups, civil society organizations, and regional actors, to foster integrated approaches to WPS and support women's leadership in humanitarian responses and peacebuilding efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior WPS Expert will perform a variety of tasks including: establishing a group of women mediators and providing training on political analysis, stakeholder mapping, mediation, and negotiation; linking women mediators with FemWise and other networks; supporting a pool of WPS experts to produce gender-sensitive analysis and policy papers; providing technical support to women-led peace initiatives; facilitating alliance-building between Sudanese women’s groups and regional coalitions; monitoring and reporting on political developments affecting women; and developing advocacy materials to amplify women's participation in peace processes. The expert will also be responsible for organizing meetings and dialogues among women peace advocates and stakeholders to strengthen coordinated action and advocacy strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, or a relevant field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant discipline may be accepted if accompanied by two years of qualifying experience. The role requires the ability to work effectively under pressure and in complex environments, demonstrating strong analytical and research skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex programs, particularly related to Women, Peace and Security, and experience in delivering gender-sensitive training. Knowledge of the Sudan context and experience working with women’s groups in the region are highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, or a relevant field is required for this position. In lieu of an advanced degree, a Bachelor’s degree combined with relevant work experience may be accepted. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in gender issues, human rights, and the complexities of peace and security frameworks.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in managing complex and multi-component program interventions, preferably related to Women, Peace and Security. Candidates should have experience working in fragile contexts and demonstrate the ability to deliver results in challenging environments. Relevant experience from a conflict setting, particularly in Sudan, is preferred, along with strong knowledge of the local context and dynamics affecting women and peacebuilding efforts.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of regional engagement and advocacy.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based consultancy position, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The role is expected to involve significant collaboration with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, civil society organizations, and women's groups. The position is focused on full-time engagement, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel to engage with partners and stakeholders as needed. UN Women emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and adheres to strict policies regarding conduct and integrity.