Policy Analyst, Political Participation

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

Women’s political participation is one of UN Women’s primary areas of work, recognizing the role of women’s leadership in strong and stable democratic processes and inclusive societies. Two of the key initiatives to accelerate gender equality in this thematic area are the support for achieving the 50/50 gender balance in political decision-making positions at all levels of government, including through temporary special measures (TSMs) such as quotas, and monitoring progress through data collection and dissemination for SDG indicator 5.5.1b (on women’s representation in local government) and other women’s political participation data. As part of this work, UN Women has developed global methodologies to measure women’s political participation; conducts annual global data compilations on women’s representation in local governments and national executive positions; and prepares evidence-based knowledge products. Two websites – the UN Gender Quota Portal and the Women in Local Government knowledge hub – have been developed by UN Women to reach out a wide range of users and are updated annually.

Under the overall guidance of the Global Policy Advisor on Political Participation, and in close collaboration with the Policy Specialist on Local Government, the Policy Analyst on Political Participation will support the global data compilations and research undertaken by the political participation team, including on women’s representation in local government, women holding executive positions, and the status of temporary special measures legislation in all countries. The Policy Analyst will update content for the two websites; contribute to preparation of knowledge products, including on violence against women in politics; and support technical meetings.

Key Functions And Accountabilities

• Support global data compilation to monitor SDG indicators and other indicators on women’s political participation
• Support all research and data compilations undertaken by the team, including women’s representation in local government, women holding executive positions, and the status of TSMs legislation in all countries.
• Assist with data collection for SDG indicator 5.5.1b on women’s representation in local government through preparation of customized data request forms, follow up on reporting with National Statistical Offices, and data entry as needed.
• Assist with data collection on women Cabinet ministers through preparation of customized data request forms, validation of information received, follow up with national stakeholders as needed, and preparation of data tables summarizing the information gathered.
• Assist with data collection on the status of TSMs, including gender quotas, through monitoring legislative changes, review of new laws and amendments, and preparation of data tables summarizing the information gathered.
• Research, update information, and provide technical support on Temporary Special Measures (TSMs) and gender quotas
• Provide regular updates to the Women’s Political Participation Team (WPP) on national electoral law and quota laws or bills under discussion including through media monitoring;
• Respond to ad hoc requests for information on TSMs and quotas in selected countries;
• Liaise with Regional and Country Offices on implementation of TSMs and quotas as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date content for the Gender Quota Portal and coordinate with colleagues the schedule of updates.
• Maintain up-to-date information on the Women in Local Government website
• Review national legal frameworks in all countries to update information on local government organization;
• Revise and upload local government country profiles on the Women in Local Government website;
• Support the update of the back-end database of the website;
• Liaise with colleagues on updates of other content for the Women in Local Government website.
• Contribute to preparation of knowledge products on women’s political participation and support technical meetings related to knowledge sharing and data
• Prepare research and data-based inputs to knowledge products prepared by Women’s Political Participation Team;
• Proof-read knowledge products prepared, including in multiple languages.
• Support the preparation of methodological papers on women’s political participation as needed.
• Support the organization of technical meetings, and prepare substantive inputs and meeting reports as needed.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
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Competencies

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.
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Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.
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Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge of political participation issues and political processes;
• Ability to summarize research and data, draft conclusions and present findings;
• Ability to draft inputs to policy papers, reports, speeches, briefings etc.;
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities in work, and deliver timely.
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Recruitment Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Political Science, Social Science, Human Rights, or 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.
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Experience

• At least 2 years work experience in political participation and gender quotas is required.
• At least 2 years experience in data, research, and writing of reports/papers is required.
• Experience working on political or electoral participation issues is required.
• Experience in analysis of national legal frameworks is desirable.
• Experience in maintaining websites is desirable.
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Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese).
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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.)