UN Women Access and Engagement Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the need for a dedicated entity to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women within the United Nations system. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and works tirelessly to eliminate discrimination against women and girls. UN Women operates in various countries, including Afghanistan, where it has been active for two decades. The organization focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by Afghan women and girls, particularly in the context of ongoing humanitarian crises and socio-economic challenges. UN Women Afghanistan has five key program priorities: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s Movement Building, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Private Sector, and Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. The organization employs a diverse team and collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure that Afghan women and girls are supported and empowered in their communities.

Job Overview:
The UN Women Access and Engagement Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting UN Women’s engagement with the de facto authorities in Afghanistan. This position requires the consultant to prepare talking points, attend engagement meetings, and provide interpretation support during these meetings. The consultant will also be responsible for collecting and documenting access constraints related to program implementation, particularly those that affect gender-related access. This role is vital in ensuring that Afghan women and girls receive the necessary support and that their voices are heard in the ongoing humanitarian response. The consultant will work closely with various UN Women units and field offices, contributing to the overall mission of empowering women and promoting gender equality in Afghanistan. The position is office-based, but field travel may be required depending on the evolving humanitarian situation.

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

• Providing support to UN Women’s engagement with the de facto authorities by preparing talking points and attending engagement meetings.
• Supporting UN Women’s management, program managers, and field offices with interpretation during meetings.
• Collecting and documenting access constraints related to program implementation in the field, with a focus on gender-related access issues.
• Mapping details related to partners’ engagement with line ministries and memorandums of understanding.
• Delivering monthly access constraints mapping reports at the end of each month for a total of three reports.
• Updating data on partners’ memorandums of understanding by the end of September 202
• The consultant will be expected to maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity while engaging with various stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in gender studies, international relations, international development, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, or other relevant social science fields. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in a similar field combined with an additional two years of relevant experience will be considered. The position requires a strong understanding of humanitarian access and engagement, as well as the ability to navigate complex political landscapes. Candidates should demonstrate strong networking skills and the ability to interact effectively with various actors, including state and non-state entities. Additionally, the consultant should have the capability to handle data and present information clearly, along with strong analytical skills.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as gender studies, international relations, international development, international law, or other social sciences. A Bachelor’s degree in a similar field is acceptable if accompanied by two additional years of relevant experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender issues and humanitarian contexts in Afghanistan.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian access and engagement. This experience should include working with and building partnerships with de facto authorities, governments, donors, and civil society organizations, both nationally and in the field. Experience working with the United Nations is considered desirable, as it provides valuable insights into the organization's operations and objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in Dari and Pashto is required for this position, as these languages are essential for effective communication in the local context. Additionally, a working knowledge of English is mandatory, enabling the consultant to engage with international stakeholders and contribute to reports and documentation in English.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based, but field travel may be required depending on ongoing humanitarian developments. The position is expected to be full-time, and the consultant will be engaged until the completion of the deliverables outlined in the job description. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, and candidates from various backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct.