Closing date: 13 Sep 2016
Background
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has a mandate to assist OSCE participating States in promoting women’s political participation and to provide expertise and support to strengthen democratic institutions for advancing gender equality, as described in the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, adopted in 2004 in Sofia.
The OSCE Gender Action Plan specifically tasks ODIHR to “… assist OSCE participating States in complying with international instruments for the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights, and in reviewing legislation to ensure appropriate legal guarantees for the promotion of gender equality in accordance with OSCE and other commitments”. The ODIHR is also tasked to “assist participating States in developing effective measures to bring about the equal participation of women in democratic processes and… in developing best practices for their implementation”. Finally, outlining good practices for the promotion of the equality of women and men in participating States has been indicated as one of priority objectives by the Gender Action Plan.
The Beijing Platform for Action also includes integration of gender perspectives in legislation, public policies, programmes and projects as one of its strategic objectives and lists a number of actions to be taken by governments (e.g. seek to ensure that policy decisions are preceded by an analysis of their impact on both women and men, work with members of legislative bodies to promote a gender perspective in all legislation and policies, etc.) and by national machinery (e.g. undertake activities focusing on legal reform with regard, inter alia, to positive measures to promote the advancement of women as well as promote a gender perspective in legal policy and programming reforms;).
With the aim of strengthening the capacity of the National Council on Gender Policy of the Republic of Belarus, as well as of relevant ministries (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance) and the National Assembly of Belarus, to formulate, implement, advise on, co-ordinate and oversee the preparation and implementation of legislation and policy measures from a gender perspective, ODIHR is providing technical assistance to develop a Guidance Note on Gender-Sensitive Legislation and Budgeting based on the existing good practices from across the OSCE region.
Objective
The objective of the assignment is to support ODIHR in the development of a Guidance Note on Gender-Sensitive Legislation and Budgeting, to be promoted across the OSCE region, which will also include a case study focusing specifically on Belarus.
The objective of the Guidance Note on Gender-Sensitive Legislation and Budgeting is to provide guidance in gender analysis efforts at the national level by relevant authorities.
The Guidance Note will:
1) provide an introduction to the concept and application of gender-sensitive analysis of legislation and budgeting, focusing on Members of Parliament and civil servants;
2) identify and map out existing good practices in the area of gender-sensitive legislation and budgeting in the OSCE region, with a focus on providing examples of particular relevance for the Eastern Partnership region;
3) prepare a case study on Belarus including an overview of current practices, an assessment of gaps and opportunities as well as proposals for improvement and recommendations for specific entry points as regards introducing gender analysis in legislation and budgeting in Belarus.
Required competencies
Core values
- Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
- Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
- Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles
- Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work
Core competencies
- Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
- Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
- Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
- Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
- Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
- Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances
Managerial competencies (for positions with managerial responsibilities)
- Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
- Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
- Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities
Tasks and responsibilities
Under the supervision of the ODIHR Chief of Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, the Expert will perform the following tasks:
- Develop a proposed Outline of the Guidance Note on Gender-Sensitive Legislation and Budgeting (including a case study on Belarus) and submit to ODIHR as a component of their application for this assignment. The Outline should be up to 3 pages.
- Undertake desk research, reading and analysis of relevant sources of information on gender analysis in legislation and budgeting in the OSCE region, as well on Belarus;
- Synthesize collected information to expand the draft Outline of the Guidance Note, in line with ODIHR comments and suggestions;
- Provide input for the programme of Belarusian participants’ Study Visit to Vienna, Austria;
- Develop the first draft of the Guidance Note, for ODIHR’s review and feedback;
- Contribute and participate in the Study Visit to Austria;
- Develop a second draft of the Guidance Note and make any further improvements requested by ODIHR following review;
- Confirm and submit the final draft of the Guidance Note to ODIHR.
Deliverables
At the time of application, the Expert submits to ODIHR a proposed Outline of the Guidance
Note on Gender-Sensitive Legislation and Budgeting (including a case study on Belarus);
By 10 October 2016, the Expert submits the expanded draft Outline of the Guidance Note and the proposal
of the programme for the Study Visit to ODIHR for review;
By 2 November 2016, the Expert submits the first draft of the Guidance Note to ODIHR, which will be between 40 and 50 pages long, excluding relevant annexes such as glossary, suggested reading and bibliography;
By 30 November 2016, the Expert submits the second draft of the Guidance Note to ODIHR;
By 9 December 2016, the Expert incorporates any amendments to the second draft of the Guidance Note and submits to ODIHR as a final draft.
Necessary qualifications
- Advanced degree in the area of gender, law, political sciences, social sciences, or other related field;
- At least seven years of demonstrated experience in the area of gender equality and democratic governance;
- Proven experience in carrying out gender-based analysis of legislation and budgeting;
- Knowledge of gender equality mechanisms, policies and trends in the OSCE region, particular knowledge of the Eastern partners of the Eastern Partnership is an asset;
- Documented ability to research and analyse complex politico-legal matters as well as to present them in an audience-appropriate and user-friendly manner;
- Familiarity with international and OSCE gender equality standards and commitments, an understanding of ODIHR’s mandate in the area of gender equality is an asset;
- Fluency in spoken and written English;
- Knowledge of the Belarusian and/or Russian language is an asset;
- Excellent writing skills, and previous experience of drafting advisory materials is an asset;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Political tact and ability to interact with different political stakeholders and present information in an objective, neutral, and respectful manner;
- Microsoft Office proficiency (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
- Flexibility, ability to work under minimum supervision and deliver against tight deadlines.
Renumeration package
Period of Assignment and Remuneration:
The Expert shall work for up to 24 (twenty four) working days in the period from 1 October - 9 December 2016. Remuneration will be commensurate with the years of experience of applicants, and the expert fee will not exceed the total amount of 6,000 EUR. Payment will be made upon successfully fulfilling all the tasks, responsibilities and deliverables and upon acceptance of these deliverables by ODIHR’s programmatic management.
Location:
Home-based, with one trip to Vienna, Austria from 22-25 November 2016 (precise dates to be confirmed).
How to apply:
As part of the application process, interested candidates are required to submit an updated CV, a motivation letter, and the proposed Outline of the Guidance Note on Gender-Sensitive Legislation and Budgeting, by email torecruit@odihr.pl. The Outline should be up to 3 pages. Applications without a submitted Outline will not be considered.**
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.