The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Youth, Women, Civil Society and Private Sector Fora of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

UN in support of peace and security in the Great Lakes Region is an EU-funded Programme with the overall objective to promote ongoing peacebuilding and consolidation efforts in the African Great Lakes Region, in support of ICGLR. It is implemented jointly by the UN (through UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in coordination with ICGLR.  The three overall outcomes of the project are:

• Outcome 1: The ICGLR Peace and Security Programme is strengthened.
• Outcome 2: Control of the exploitation of selected mineral resources (tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold) is enhanced.
• Outcome 3: The provisions of the Protocol on Prevention and Suppression of Sexual Violence Against Women and Children are effectively applied in the Great Lakes Region.

UNFPA is responsible for activities under Outcome 1, i.e. “A1.5 Support for the participation of the ICGLR Fora (multifunctional Youth Forum, Women Forum, Civil Society Forum and Private Sector Forum) in the ICGLR consultative process”. The activities are implemented during 2019-2020.

Scope of work:

The consultant will provide support to the ICGLR Youth, Women, Civil Society and Private Sector Fora including:

1. Support to the strengthening of the Youth, Women, Civil Society and Private Sector Fora, based for example on the outcome of the organizational assessment conducted in 2019. The work will include support to the strengthening of the national level of the Fora, efficient ways of working and preparations and organization of General Assemblies of the Fora with the overall purpose to strengthen the Fora’s functionality.
2. Support to the use of virtual tools to facilitate communication, coordination, knowledge management and capacity building of the Youth, Women, Civil Society and Private Sector Fora. The use of virtual tools is anticipated to contribute to effectiveness and efficiency in a sustainable and innovative manner and could support regular operations and capacity building.

The work will be carried out in consultation with the “Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on project activities aiming to support participation of the ICGLR Fora in the ICGLR consultative process”, which has been established to ensure the involvement, guidance and support of key stakeholders.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.)

1.  Support to the strengthening of the ICGLR Youth, Women, Civil Society and Private Sector Fora (70%):

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of support to the Fora, based for example on the outcome of the organizational assessment conducted in 2019.
• Contribute to the support to the Fora in their development and implementation of regional action plans (addressing financing/resource mobilization, partnership, monitoring and accountability and secretariat functionalities).
• Contribute to the preparation and organization of up to three General Assemblies of the Fora. The work regarding General Assemblies may consider: (i) Strengthening the national level of the Fora, (ii) Election of Fora leadership, (iii) Development and implementation of regional action plans (addressing financing/resource mobilization, partnership, monitoring and accountability and secretariat functionalities), (iv) Review of the founding documents (Accords) of the Fora, and (v) Capacity building needs.

2.  Support to the use of virtual tools (30%):

• Assess the Fora’s current use of virtual tools for internal and external engagement, especially with ICGLR structures, including related gaps, opportunities and challenges.
• Map available virtual tools, their functionalities and related costs.
• Identify virtual tool/s that can provide appropriate functionalities and recommend which tool/s to use for which purpose. The tools need to be open source, user-friendly and functional despite limited access to hardware and low internet connectivity.
• Set up the recommended virtual tool/s for each of the four Fora so that the tool/s are ready to be used by them.
• Develop guidance for use of the recommended virtual tool/s. The guidance should describe the functionalities and added value of using the tool/s and be easily accessible for all potential users.
• Organize a webinar to introduce the virtual tool/s and the guidance to relevant stakeholders.

3.  Any other duties as required.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline

Monthly update and review of progress.

Supervisory arrangements     

The consultant will work under the supervision and guidance of the responsible Programme Specialist.

Expected travel            

Limited travel in the Great Lakes Region may be required.

Required  qualifications and experience        

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in a relevant area, such as international development or public/business administration
• 2 years of relevant professional experience
• Excellent English communication skills (oral and writing)

Desirable experience

• Experience in organizational development/strengthening
• Experience in organizational management/support, e.g. through secretariat functions
• Experience from international development context/s
• Experience from youth, women or civil society organizations, the private sector, the UN-system, regional economic communities or government
• Experience in the use of virtual tools to support communication, coordination, knowledge management and capacity building
• Understanding of the context in East and Southern Africa, preferably the Great Lakes Region
• Working knowledge of French (oral and writing)

Duration and working schedule:   Full-time from 1 April to 20 November 2020.   This assignment is open to citizens and those with legal right to work in South Africa.

How to Apply:  Interested applicants should send a short letter of motivation and a detailed CV to Mr. Marten Kivi, kivi@unfpa.org by 2 March 2020.  UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom UNFPA has further interest.