UNRWA



TERMS OF REFERENCEUNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.External Consultant (re-advertised)UNRWA Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2021 (Previous applicants need not to re-apply; previous applications will be considered)BACKGROUNDIn 2007, UNRWA adopted a Gender Equality Policy which reflects the United Nations System-wide Policy on Gender Equality (CEB/2006/2) as well as the global instruments and pronouncements on gender equality and the advancement of women. UNRWA’s Gender Equality Policy commits the Agency to the achievement of the equality of women, men, girls and boys, as well as to the promotion and protection of the full enjoyment by women and girls of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Gender Mainstreaming Strategy (GMS) 2008-2009 was developed to outline how UNRWA’s policy commitment to gender equality would be translated into action. The GMS, developed by UNRWA’s Gender Taskforce, which consists of departments and field focal points, was designed to assist UNRWA staff and management in mainstreaming gender and integrating equality goals in the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2010-2015. Although the GMS was initially developed to be implemented over a 2 year-period, it was later extended to be implemented in tandem with the MTS for 2010-2015. In 2014 an evaluation was carried to review how far UNRWA’s commitment to gender equality and gender mainstreaming translated into policy and practice and identify the critical factors that hindered or supported UNRWA’s gender mainstreaming efforts. Particularly, the evaluation looked into the four levers that form the GMS approach in the Agency: 1) Creating a structure for change; 2) building the capacity of staff; 3) ensuring effective communication and outreach; 4) mainstreaming gender analysis and planning. The evaluations key results were extensively shared within the Agency and the GTF was actively engaged in reflecting on possible ways forward in view of the new drafting of the Gender Equality Strategy (GES) for 2016-2021. Importantly, the development of the new GES will be in line with agency-wide relevant processes both at the strategic and operational levels, including the strategic directions provided in the Mid-term Strategy for 2016-2021, which is currently being finalized, and the implementation plans related to it. In addition, the new GES will be aligned to the requirements of the UN System-wide Action Plan (UN SWAP). The latter is an accountability framework with 15 performance indicators for the implementation of the UN system wide policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (CEB/2006/2).PURPOSEThe external consultant will lead the drafting of UNRWA’s new GES for 2016-2021. The new Gender Strategy will be concomitant to UNRWA Medium Term Strategy (MTS) and will look into its priorities, strategic objectives, outcomes, and indicators’ framework and define the processes and tools that will ensure that UNRWA commitment to gender equality as defined in the 2007 policy is operationalized alongside the MTS. Furthermore it will build on the learning outcomes of the evaluation exercise and the reflection initiated with the Gender Task Force on possible ways forward, and will have to be in line with the UNSWAP requirements. EXPECTED OUTCOMESThe consultant will work closely with HQ different departments, field offices (managers and gender focal points) and the gender unit to draft the new GES 2016-2021 that will outline how gender equality will be practically operationalized across the agency. The process will be aligned on the MTS and will enable through the processes, methodologies, and tools defined in the GES that gender equality is operationalized in UNRWA services. Furthermore the GES drafting process will elicit participants’ views and values, and is expected to contribute to increasing ownership of the gender strategy across the Agency. DELIVERABLESA draft of UNRWA Gender Equality Strategy for 2016-2021 and its implementation plan defining processes, methodologies, and tools that will ensure that UNRWA Gender Equality Policy is operationalized through its Medium Term Strategy frameworks, as well as indicators to measure its results.DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe consultant will report to the Gender Advisor at HQ Amman and will focus on the following tasks:Discuss and define with the gender team the process and methodology and any other relevant information on the development of the gender strategy.Review background documentation including other relevant documents such as UNRWA’s Gender Equality Policy of 2007, the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy 2008-2009, reports on the implementation and evaluation of the strategy;Engage in consultations with senior managers of all programmes, the field gender focal points, technical managers and all relevant staff, and stakeholders through field visits; Develop the document including the new gender strategy and the implementation plan in three phases: (i) an outline of the strategy and implementation plan, incorporating the outcomes of discussion on the methodology and the overall process; (ii) a first draft of the strategy and implementation plan, incorporating comments on the outline and reflecting the outcomes of both the review and the field phase; (iii) a final version of the Strategy and Implementation Plan, incorporating comments on the first draft.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCEAdvanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in gender studies, human rights, political science, development management or other related fields; and either academic or professional training in social research methods.At least 10 years of experience in programme management of gender equality, gender mainstreaming or women empowerment policies/projects/programmes; knowledge of gender equality at the institutional level; Strategy development, preferably for Gender Mainstreaming.Fluency in spoken and written in English;COMPETENCIESExcellent understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming;Excellent writing skills with a strong background in report drafting;Strong analytical and research skills;Excellent organizational and communication skillsExcellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, and database software.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSA PhD degree from an accredited educational institution in gender studies, human rights, political science, development management or other related fields; Understanding the political context situation of Palestine refugees and Palestinian women in UNRWA’s fields of operation;Previous work experience in the Middle East;Previous work with a UN Agency;Fluency in spoken and written Arabic.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONWillingness and ability to travel to all UNRWA fields of operations as needed during the assignment.CONDITIONS OF SERVICEThe duration of the evaluation should be 8 weeks;Remuneration for this consultancy will depend on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. Application ProcessApplicants should submit the below via consultancy@ clearly indicating the title of this consultancy “Drafting of the Gender Equality Strategy Consultancy” in the subject line of the message:Cover letter;CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements;Methodological Proposal, which includes the proposed methodology, proposed work plan with tasks, timeframe and budget. The deadline for submission of applications is 10 May 2015 UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced female candidates. Due to a large number of applications, only qualified applicants under serious consideration will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.21 April 2015 ................
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