Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on fulfilling their needs, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women is seeking a National Consultant to Revise & update relevant existing policies of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces in alignment with international conventions/policies (e.g. National Action Plan 1325 (NAP III) 2024 – 29) and National policies and development agenda (Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment policy 2020 & Act 2022) for the project titled “Women repositioned to meaningfully participate and lead in the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Armed Forces and support Peacekeeping Operations”, funded by Elsie funds value.

The project aimed at enhancing the participation and leadership opportunities of women within the Republic of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and thereby improving the eligible pool of uniformed women available for peacekeeping deployments through the promotion of institutional policies, training facilities, healthcare for female personnel and accountability for sexual harassment and abuse at institutional level. 

Function/Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Office, with technical support from the programs specialist  Women Peace Security, the consultant  in collaboration with UN Women, RSALF, MOGCA and other relevant ministries and stakeholders will provide technical support including support the establishment of an inter-ministerial  Policy Review Committee in RSLAF led by its Policy and Strategic Directorate, Legal and Gender Directors as well as representatives from all formations and units of RSLAF,  oversee the rrevise & update relevant existing policies to enhance the promotion of gender-transformative initiatives in compliance with the GEWE (Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 of Sierra Leone) and the National Action Plan 1325 (NAP III) 2024 – 29

The National Consultant will collaborate with the project stakeholders with guidance from UN Women and RSLAF to deliver to develop an action plan on rolling out of the review policies including other deliverables on the assignment.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The scope is the national consultant is to review and update relevant existing policies of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Below are the specific deliveries:

Task 1: Support the Establishment and Management of Policy Review Committee: This includes developing a term of reference, Committee SOP, relevant tools and support the regular management of the Policy revie committee with relevant stakeholders including RSLAF and other ministries 

Task 2: Stakeholder Management: Manage stakeholders throughout the review of policy and development of strategic plan

Task 3: Facilitate Regular Meetings: Facilitate regular policy review committee meetings, stakeholder meetings and other had hoc meetings relevant to the assignment

Task 4: Facilitate Regional Consultations: Regional consultations across five regions to take stock of stakeholder feedback on the policies to inform the analysis and review process

Task 5: Analyze and Review Policies and Develop Strategic plan: The consultant will facilitate the review/update of RSLAF policies and development of a strategic plan in line with the GEWE policy 2020, GEWE Act 2022, ensuring the integration on gender considerations, peace and security standards. 

The following policies will be reviewed/updated

• RSLAF Policy on Recruitment of Women (how to promote women’s recruitment at the entry level)
• RSLAF Policy on Retention of Women Officers (redefining career positions and roles for women in RSLAF) 
• RSLAF Policy on Promotion of Women Officers (including special training needs for promotion of women, leadership trainings for women and identification of position where women’s leadership is lacking in RSLAF) 
• RSLAF Gender (Equal Opportunities), Fraternization and Sexual Harassment Policy – to be updated to include a robust and zero tolerance towards sexual harassment and promoting good working environment towards all in RSLAF.
• Any had hoc policy 

Task 6: Validation and Finalization of Policies and Strategic Plan: Facilitate validation session with key stakeholders, ensuring Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Relevance and Accuracy and alignment with government policies including GEWE Act 2022

Task 7: Submission: Submit the full package to UN Women and RSLAF

Deliverables:

1. Support the Establishment and Management of Policy Review Committee
2. Stakeholder Management
3. Facilitate Regular Meetings
4. Facilitate Regional Consultations
5. Analyze and Review Policies and Develop Strategic plan
6. Validation and Finalization of Policies and Strategic Plan
7. Report

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy – Sierra Leonean Nationals only and expected to travel to the regions for consultations

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues, WPS agenda, political science, law, development, public policy.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives as well as CSOs.
• Proven networking skills, and ability.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of the UN system, familiarity with inter-governmental processes.
• Familiarity of government of Sierra Leone policy environment, especially with security sector institutions 
• Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Strong ability to conduct policy review and research for government institutions
• Fear influence and strong stakeholder management skills

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in law, public policy and governance, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required. 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A project/Programme management certification would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least 2 years practical experience in policy research, developing and reviewing national polices, international policies and programs utilizing a wide range of approaches and methods including utilization focused, gender and human rights responsive. 
• Extensive experience in managing stakeholders in a complex environment 
• Previous experience in conducting evaluations on WPP, WPS or related themes would be considered an asset. 
• Excellent knowledge of the UN system, especially UN WOMEN, The government of Sierra Leone policy environment especially security sector institutions
• Experience and knowledge on gender equality and women’s empowerment, EVAWG, gender analysis and the related mandates within the UN system; experience/knowledge of women’s movements 
• Experience and knowledge on human rights issues, the human rights-based approach to programming, human rights analysis and related mandates within the UN system. 
• Excellent analytical, facilitation and communications skills and ability to negotiate amongst a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience in conducting research and analysis/review of social, economic, and public policy trends is a must  
• Experience working with government or policy research in Sierra Leone is required 
• Experience writing briefs targeted at policy makers is a strong asset 
• Experience and understanding of legal research is a strong asset 

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.