UN Women International Consultant – Governance, Peace and Security, homebased (multiple positions)

Through the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, as well as multi-country, country offices and programme presences, UN Women builds on a long history of support to governments and women’s movements. UN Women’s programs in Asia and the Pacific focus on governance, peace and security, ending violence against women, humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction, women’s economic empowerment, and HIV/AIDS.

UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), through its Governance, Peace and Security (GPS) Unit, leads policy and programme development and implementation in the areas of women’s leadership and decision-making and the advancement of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. This includes supporting peace building initiatives; facilitating the development, implementation, and monitoring of National and Regional Action Plans on WPS; promoting gender-responsive security sector reform; and advancing emerging and non-traditional WPS priorities such as Gender, Climate, Peace and Security and Women, Peace and Cybersecurity. The GPS Unit applies an intersectional approach across its work, with a strong focus on disability inclusion, youth engagement, and the meaningful engagement of men and boys as allies in advancing gender equality and sustainable peace. In line with CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems, the GPS Unit supports women leaders and women-led organizations to strengthen their participation, influence, and leadership across political, peace building, and governance processes. 

The International Consultant will report to the Regional Policy Advisor Governance, Peace and Security, and will be supported by Programme Associate, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

The International Consultant on Governance, Peace and Security will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide technical support for the development of new areas of work on Governance, Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific region, including the preparation of concept notes and project documents in line with the UN Women Strategic Plan, the UN Women ROAP Strategic Note, donor agreements, and internal tools and systems, including PRISM. Support the Governance, Peace and Security Team, as required, on ASEAN-related technical assistance, coordination requests, and the development of ASEAN-focused proposals. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regional developments related to women’s human rights, women’s leadership and participation in decision-making, and Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and integrate this analysis into policy development, briefings, advocacy efforts, outreach, and knowledge products. 
• Support the GPS Team to provide technical support to UN Country Teams, Resident Coordinators’ Offices, and human rights treaty bodies and mechanisms to strengthen national, regional, and global analysis and reporting on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women’s human rights. 
• Support the development of non-traditional WPS programming, with a focus on Women, Peace and Cybersecurity, and Climate, Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific region. 
• Support the design, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of programmes related to governance, peace, and security in Asia and the Pacific, including contributing to institutional learning and accountability through monitoring and evaluation processes. 
• Work closely with UN Women Country Offices across the region to provide programme guidance and technical support, and contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives focused on governance, human rights, youth engagement, and WPS. 
• Support the organization and coordination of events and joint initiatives with a wide range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, civil society organizations, regional women’s networks, and other partners working on governance, peace, and security. 
• Prepare briefing notes, background papers, summaries, talking points, and other materials required by senior management. 
• Perform other duties as required. 

 Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. Official travel may be required. Travel will be managed following UN Women travel policy

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, conflict studies, gender studies, international affairs, and/or another relevant field related to gender in governance, peace and security is required;
• A first-level university degree in combination withtwo additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes related to Governance, Peace and Security; 
• Technical experience in programming, advisory and advocacy work with governments and civil society on gender and governance, peace and security is required; including on women’s leadership and decision-making, and emerging issues such as climate change and cybersecurity and new technology.
• Previous experience with UN Women and/or other UN agencies is an asset.
• Experience in the Asia Pacific region is preferred.
• Excellent command of written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Language requirement:

• Excellent command of written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

*Note: The service will be rendered on “on call” basis.  UN Women does not warrant that the maximum of contract amount will be purchased during the term of the Agreement.