CALL FOR CANDIDATURES OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY ADVISORY GROUP (CSAG) OF CAMEROON

Akwajobs   (Cameroon)

Posted : 8 November, 2019

Category : Gender equality   Location : Cameroon

Job type : Full Time

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CALL FOR CANDIDATURES OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY ADVISORY GROUP (CSAG) OF CAMEROON

Location : CAMEROON

Application Deadline : 25-Nov-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Time left : 17d 16h 40m

Additional Category : Gender Equality

Type of Contract : Other

Post Level : Other

Languages Required : English   French

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 02-Dec-2019

Expected Duration of Assignment : 02 Years (renewable once)

Background

1. CONTEXT

The United Nations Entity on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 64/289 and became operational in January 2011. UN Women was created to accelerate progress in addressing the needs of women and girls around the world. UN Women has a universal mandate to strengthen and promote gender equality and women's empowerment at the national, regional and global levels. The work of UN Women is guided by the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and resolutions of the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security. UN Women works with governments and civil society to develop laws, policies, programs and services needed to implement these international gender equality standards. At the creation of UN Women, the UN General Assembly asked the Head of Entity to "continue the current practice of effective consultation with civil society organizations and encourage their meaningful contribution to the work of the entity." (GA / 64/289).

In response to this request, UN Women has established Civil Society Advisory Groups (CSAGs) at the global, regional and national levels to strengthen existing partnerships and intensify strategic dialogue with civil society partners in the countries at the regional and international levels. Civil society is one of the most important components of UN Women as it is a dynamic source of political ideas, perspectives, partnerships and support to the organization to help UN Women achieve its strategic goals. In accordance with its global directive and in the framework of its new Strategic Note (2018-2020), UN Women Cameroon plans to set up the second CSAG in Cameroon, the first having come to the end of its mandate. This platform will serve as a consultative mechanism for UN Women by facilitating a regular dialogue between civil society and UN Women, enabling civil society to share its perspectives, expertise and knowledge in order to inform UN Women in its work.

With the support of this platform, UN Women Cameroon will strive to achieve results in the following areas of its 2018-2020 strategic note:

1. Women's political participation and governance ;

2. Economic empowerment of women ;

3. End all forms of discrimination against women and girls ; Women, peace, security and humanitarian action ;

4. Border issues and second chance education.

These terms of reference are prepared to guide the selection process for CSAG members and define their role.

Duties and Responsibilities

2. OBJECTIVES AND ROLE OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY ADVISORY GROUP

CSAG is a mechanism for regular dialogue between UN Women and leaders of civil society on key issues and priorities for gender equality at the national level. CSAG has a dual role : it advises UN Women and advocates for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Gender Equality.

The objectives of CSAG are to : 1. Foster dialogue and engagement to advance the goals of gender equality and women's empowerment ; 2. Enable UN Women to consult with civil society and benefit from the rich and diverse expertise, experience, networks, perspectives and knowledge they can offer ; 3. Serve as an advisory forum for ideas and strategies for UN Women's programming, including identifying the most relevant and emerging gender equality issues in the country.

The role of CSAG is to : 1. Provide UN Women with a strategic perspective on realizing its overall vision and mandate in Cameroon, including on advocacy issues and UN Women's thematic priorities ; 2. Provide an analysis of socio-economic and political developments in Cameroon to inform UN Women about trends, risks and opportunities in gender equality in the country ; 3. Identify the emerging issues of gender equality and women's rights that UN Women could address in its future programmatic interventions ; 4. Share information, good practices and lessons learned that could inform UN Women's programming and advocacy work ; 5. Contribute to the strategic planning instruments of the UN Women Cameroon Country Office, such as the Strategic Note and the Annual Work Plan ; 6. Supporting collective advocacy on national, regional and global normative processes ; 7. Establish links with UN Women's advisory groups in the African region and beyond to foster dialogue and collaboration at the local and global levels ; 8. Provide policy advice on possible entry points for a forum for dialogue between the United Nations System and development partners.

1. COMPOSITION OF THE CSAG

The CSAG will consist of up to 15 people (women and men) with a proven track record in the areas of gender equality, women's political participation, women's leadership and empowerment. The composition of the group will respect the diversity of the Cameroonian society. CSAG members should be prominent civil society representatives with strong gender advocacy skills, proven experience in the women's movement, and an understanding of the context, priorities and mandates of the UN and UN Women. They may fall into the following categories : women's rights advocates, men who are gender equality advocates who are considered leaders in this field, young leaders with work experience on gender equality, leaders of ethnic minorities/indigenous groups, advocates and leaders of marginalized groups, advocates of gender equality in the media, leaders of faith-based organizations promoting gender equality.

CSAG members adhere to advisory groups as distinguished individuals, in their personal capacity, and not as representatives of their organizations. If they bring the strength of their organization and their members to CSAG, they will act individually within CSAG as leaders of gender equality.

The members of the CSAG Cameroun sit for a period of two years, renewable once. After the expiry of this period, they may apply for an additional term and, if selected, remain in office for another term of two years.

Group membership is voluntary and honorary, members will receive no compensation

Competencies

1. CANDIDATES PROFILE

CSAG members may belong to UN Women's organizations, implementing partners/stakeholders. However, CSAG has no control or decision-making role in UN Women's programming activities.

In order to preserve the integrity and autonomy of CSAG as a civil society group, members of government bodies or leaders of political parties can not be part of either the CSAG or the committee selection process.

Required Skills and Experience

1. SELECTION PROCESS

To ensure a transparent and objective selection process, UN Women asks interested candidates to submit their applications. Each candidate applying must first judge whether he will have enough time to participate in the committee meetings. This call will also be broadcast on the internet, ensuring wider dissemination.

A selection committee composed of key personnel from UN Women Cameroon and other members representing other UN agencies will be responsible for making recommendations on the selection of the CSAG. The selection committee members will not be affiliated with organizations that have sent nominations. The selection process will be duly documented.

1. SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria for evaluating the candidatures by the selection committee are as follows :

1. Extensive experience in advocacy, policy development on gender equality and women's rights (40 points) ; 2. Close link with organizations and networks defending women's rights and working for gender equality in the country (20 points) ; 3. Demonstrated understanding of the needs and interests of diverse groups of women, including those with multiple forms of discrimination (20 pts) ; 4. Proven expertise in at least one of the areas of intervention of UN Women Cameroon, as defined in the UN Women Cameroon Strategic Note for 2018-2020 (20 points).

To ensure that the views and needs of a broad and diverse group are covered, the appointment of representatives of umbrella organizations and networks is strongly encouraged. Particular attention will be given to applications from young people from local organizations, members of minority groups, people with disabilities or representing the most disadvantaged groups and organizations working for men's participation in gender equality.

1. OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK

CSAG meets once a quarter and on an ad hoc basis, if necessary. CSAG will report to the Representative of the UN Women's Office of Cameroon on its activities.

French and English will be the languages used for communication with CSAG members.

1. MANDATE'S DURATION

The members of the Advisory Group will be appointed for a two-year term. In order to ensure continuity, one third of the group members chosen from each other will continue to serve for a maximum of two years.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates wishing to become a member of CSAG Cameroon are invited to submit their application in French or English by  25/11/ 2019.

Candidates may submit two letters of recommendation or nomination by civil society networks/coalitions as part of their application. A multi-sectoral committee composed of UN Women, other UN agencies, leaders and representatives of women's rights networks will lead the selection process. The members of the Advisory Group will be presented at a meeting to launch its activities.

However, members of the CSAG Bureau will be elected at an extended meeting of civil society leaders convened by UN Women.

The application file must include :

1. A letter of motivation ; 2. A detailed curriculum vitae. If the candidate is an association leader, he/she will also present the main achievements of the association related to the promotion of gender equality in Cameroon ; 3. A note on the main challenges to realize the rights and empowerment of women in Cameroon.

Please send your application form and CV to the Cameroon Country Office at the following address : UN Women's Office of Cameroon, PO Box 836 Yaoundé Cameroon ; or to file it under discharge at the UN Women's Office, located behind the High Commissioner's Residence of Nigeria in Bastos, indicating "CSAG Cameroon Application" in the subject line. For more info, contact Ms. Beat at the following adress : Email : paulette.beat@unwomen.org ; Tel : +237 694 644 933

The filing deadline is fourteen business days after the announcement. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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