United States: Policy Analyst, African Union Women, Peace and Security Liaison

Feb 13, 2021 | UN Women
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UN Women's Peace, Security and Humanitarian Section is responsible for providing technical support to UN Women Country Offices in a number of areas, including: conflict prevention and peacebuilding, justice sector and security reform, promoting women's political participation and mainstreaming gender issues into governance reforms. It has global components but is grounded in country-level activities. The Section supports UN Women to fulfill its coordination mandate in the area of peace and security and UN system efforts to promote improved monitoring and reporting on the implementation of global commitments on women and peace and security, including as set out in Beijing Platform for Action and in Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000), and subsequent resolutions and relevant Statements by the President of the Security Council.

In a bid to enhance the participation and leadership of women of Africa in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Africa as envisioned by Agenda 2063, the African Union Commission, through the Office of the African Union Commission (AUC) Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security and UN Women are undertaking a project, with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany on “Women’s Leadership Initiative for Stability in Africa” for the period 2017 to 2021. It aims to operationalise the “African Women Leaders Network” (AWLN), an initiative that seeks to enhance the role and leadership of women in the transformation of Africa, in line with Agenda 2063 and the Global Sustainable development Agenda 2030.

The African Union Permanent Observer Mission at the United Nations in New York will support the rollout of the project’s implementation. Moreover, the project will ensure, the AWLN is supported with the necessary coordination and administrative structures to facilitate its sustainability, including through strengthening of the Office of the AU Permanent Observer to the UN in New York. For this purpose, the AUC and UN Women seek to recruit a Policy Analyst on Women, Peace and Security to support the implementation of the project. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Peace, Security and Humanitarian Section at UN Women Headquarters in New York and work in close consultation with the Office of the AUC Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security in Addis Ababa and the AU Representative at the United Nations in New York. The incumbent will be based in the AU Permanent Observer Mission in New York.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide policy analysis support on women, peace and security related to the African Union Commission  (AUC):

  • Analyze, research and review policies on women, peace and security as they relate to the AU Commission and AU Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, New York;
  • Provide policy coordination on women, peace and security issues between UN Women, the AU Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, the Peace and Security Council, the Africa Governance Architecture, the Women, Gender and Development Directorate and other relevant departments on the overall Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Agenda of the African Union Commission;
  • Carry out routine policy analysis of trends and priorities as regards peace and security in the African region;
  • Draft policy briefs and reports on the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) initiative and women, peace and security issues in Africa more broadly.

Provide partnership building and advocacy support:

  • Serve as Liaison and Focal Person for the AWLN at the AU Permanent Observer Mission in New York and facilitate, inter alia, the participation of women leaders to various high-level events to enhance their visibility and exposure both in New York and in Addis Ababa;
  • Provide technical inputs in increasing the visibility of the AWLN, including its Steering Committee, National Chapters, and Groups of Friends, by coordinating the preparation and distribution of the Network newsletter, and supporting AWLN’s representation in the media, including social media platforms;
  • Organize advocacy and visibility events in New York for the network membership;
  • Support the activities of the AWLN New York Group of Friends (GoF) including by assisting with the organization of the GoF’s periodic meetings and thematic discussions, and of fundraising and advocacy events;
  • Provide advocacy support on women, peace and security issues with African Union Member States.

Provide coordination support to the AWLN and other initiatives:

  • Provide coordination support to the implementation of activities of the AWLN, including the preparation of solidarity missions, the establishment of women’s platforms for peaceful elections, and convening of thematic discussions on women, peace and security;
  • Identify and facilitate the organization of intergenerational dialogue opportunities bringing together senior women leaders and young women leaders for mutual learning and experiences sharing;
  • Facilitate the organization of annual meetings of the AWLN Steering Committee and support follow up activities as required for the implementation of the AWLN workplan, the AWLN communications, information sharing and knowledge management strategies, and the operationalization of the AWLN Secretariat;
  • Provide quarterly reports on the activities of the ALWN;
  • Assist the Special Envoy during her missions in New York, including coordinating visits with all relevant parties, and accompanying the Special Envoy on field missions and produce mission reports.

Provide knowledge management and communication support:

  • Disseminate information on the activities of the Network and WPS activities in the region.
  • Assist in the development of communication materials and knowledge products related to the Network.
  • Provide any other support as requested by supervisor.