Associate Human Rights and Gender-Based Violence – UNV

Job Description

Organization		UN Women
Description of the assignment title		Associate Human Rights and Gender-Based Violence
Host entity		UN Women
Assignment country		Sudan
Type		Onsite
Duration		12 months
Sustainable Development Goal		GENDER EQUALITY
Number of assignments		1
Volunteer category		International UN Youth Volunteer
Duty stations		Khartoum
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities		No

Context

The UN Volunteer will be based in UN Women country office in Khartoum/Sudan, which also has an office in Red Sea state supporting the agency’s operations in the three states of east Sudan (Gadaref, Kassala, and Port Sudan), UN Women Sudan also has operation in States of Darfur. UN Women is part of the UN System and as such work closely with other UN agencies and international cooperation to implement its mandate of gender coordination in development interventions in support of the attainment of the SDG. UN Women works also very closely with the Ministry of Social Development, which is in charge of Women’s affairs and other government institutions playing a critical role in different development sectors of the country. UN Women has a historical partnership with women’s groups and CSO, which are instrumental in the actions and advocacy to promote Gender equality and Women’s empowerment.

UN Women’s interventions in Violence Against Women and Girls program is associated with the Women, Peace and Security portfolio, as part of the 1325 resolution implementation in Sudan, and considering the humanitarian context and the high rates of violations of women human rights and GBV incidence, in addition to the impact of COVID 19 pandemic, UN Women is focusing on promoting prevention of SGBV and ensuring availability of quality and comprehensive services at federal and states levels. UN Women is focusing on Building national partners capacities, whether government or NGOs, and promoting normative and policy frameworks to address VAWG in Sudan. Promoting income generating activities for women and their active participation in the public-private dialogue activities is also a one of the strategies used by UN Women to positively contribute to the reduction of sexual and gender based violence (S/GBV) and mitigate its harmful effects to ensure women and girls in Sudan live free from VAWG, in healthy and productive communities.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Program Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in the implementation of the project in the area of human rights, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in relation to the women, peace and security portfolio;
• Assist and participate in the coordination of the programme activities;
• Assist in monitoring of UN Women projects in the area of human rights, VAWG in relation to the women, peace and security portfolio;
• Familiarize yourself with UN Women programmes and operations system to support insertion of data and uploading of cooperate documents;
• Participate in activities of the United Nations Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and gender working groups;
• Support the recruitment and management of national and international consultants;
• Support the country office contribution in the area of human rights, VAWG in relation to the women peace and security portfolio to UN Women communication website.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 26

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of Switzerland and therefore specific criteria apply:

• Candidates must be Swiss nationals.
• Candidates must be between 18 and 29 years of age throughout the assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

0 years of experience in Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in Gender Mainstreaming and Women Human Rights, specifically Gender-Based Violence would be an asset.

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, International Relations or any other relevant field.

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Knowledge Sharing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Other information

Sudan has made the headlines lately after the former regime was thrown by the people of Sudan, ending a period of 30 years dictatorship and grievances, however, heavy heritage of social, economic, and political crises was handed over to the new government. The worldwide acclaimed role played by women to bring about change has contributed to the creation of a more conducive environment to work in the area of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment following the adoption of a Constitutional Declaration which guarantees and promotes women’s rights in all social, political, and economic fields, and combats all forms of discrimination against women. The chapter 12 on independent commissions states the establishment of Women and Gender Equality Commission, and Chapter 7 allocated not less than 40% for women in the Transitional Legislative Council. The Juba peace agreements signed in October 2020 has strengthened the gains made on the promotion of gender equality with adoption of provisions focused on effective participation of women in decision making processes and implementation of UNSC resolution 1325.

Khartoum is the capital and trading Centre of Sudan and is situated in Khartoum State, at the junction of the Blue and White Nile rivers; Omdurman is also a suburb of Khartoum, giving the urban area a population of over 3 million. It has long served as a major communications Centre between the Arab countries of North Africa and central African countries. The city lies near the rich, irrigated cotton-growing Gezira area to the south and much of its trade is based on Nile River traffic. An oil pipeline links the city with Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Industries include tanning, textiles, light engineering, food processing, glassware, and printing. Sudan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south to arid dry desert in the north. Khartoum is one of the hottest capitals in the world in summer, although the winter months are cooler and pleasant. A rainy season in many areas spans from April to October.

Living conditions in Khartoum are good. Khartoum is classified as a family duty station, with an adequate level of services, accommodation, and facilities. One can rent a comfortable modern apartment or house with air conditioners that mitigate the hot and dusty climate.

Medical facilities are basic. The cost of living may be high, depending on the standards, particularly for food and accommodation, particularly in a context of strong devaluation of the local money. It is a relatively safe environment, sometimes marked by small criminality, especially due the economic crisis, legacy of the years of exclusion of the country from the international community, exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic.

MORSS (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards) compliance is required. Generally, the city is safe compared to other capitals in the continent. There are many restaurants and cafes for socializing, although limited sports facilities due to the climate although one can get membership of gyms for indoor exercise and there are clubs for swimming. International personnel should be prepared to use cash while in Sudan. ATM facilities are only available for local accounts. Credit cards cannot be used while in Sudan. Currency exchange and money transfer facilities, such as Western Union, are available in Khartoum.

All Photography without a permit is forbidden in Sudan. Do not take photographs without express permission. Where an official is present, you must ask permission to photograph. It is advised to obtain such permission prior to any display of a camera. Dress code is modest and conservative (arms and legs covered), although trousers are acceptable for women, head scarves do not need to be worn by expatriate women in the capital, men should wear long trousers.

Public displays of affection should be avoided. Public drunkenness is forbidden and possession of alcohol in Sudan is against the local laws. Visitors should always note that UN staff members are not permitted to bring alcohol into the country.

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