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.

The Malawi Country Office has recently finalized its new Strategic Note 2024 – 2028 which is aligned with the UNSDCF, Malawi 2063, the AU Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030.  The SN has 5 priority areas of focus namely that by 2028;

1. More people, especially the most vulnerable groups, including women, youths, and people with disability, participate in and benefit from food and nutrition security and a more diversified, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth resilient to shocks.
2. People in Malawi, especially women, youth, and those most left behind, experience more inclusive good governance, peace and robust political and civic participation.
3. More people, in particular women, children, and youth, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, are resilient with access to and utilization of quality, equitable, efficient, gender and shock-responsive education, health, nutrition, WASH, social and protection services.
4. Malawi adopts gender-responsive decision-making and governance systems enabling targeted action for building and enhancing the resilience of women and girls to current and future disasters and threats including climate change.
5. Strengthened collaboration and coordination among gender stakeholders including the UN, Government, development partners, and members of the Women’s Movement, to advance GEWE priority issues in Malawi.

Under the supervision of the Country Representative, the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Consultant will be responsible for scanning potential partnerships among development partners, private sector, IFIs etc whose priorities align with the UN Women Strategic Note. He/She will further develop and support rolling out of a Resource mobilization Strategy and Action Plan for the Malawi Country Office covering the period 2024 to 2028 that would enable the country programme to fill financial gaps in its programme.

The strategy needs to be a forward-looking, reflecting and more action orientated document highlighting the changing donor landscape, as well as drawing from lessons learned from current resources mobilization efforts.  This strategy must also explore new aid modalities and actors and outline a strategic approach to leveraging existing and new partnerships as well as recommend ways to diversify the resources base for UN Women.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the day-to-day guidance of the Head of Programmes and closely with all Programme Team Leads and under the direct supervision of the Country Representative the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Develop a Resource Mobilization Strategy and Implementation Plan

• Scoping of the ODA and humanitarian assistance provided to Malawi specifically targeting gender equality and women empowerment.
• Analyze UN Women Malawi funding trends and donor support.
• Identify opportunities for innovative financing (outside of traditional donor support), including, private sector partnerships, leveraging on Government and/or multilateral funding windows for gender equality and women empowerment, UN joint programming and South to South Cooperation.
• Undertake ad-hoc donor studies, research, and other activities to identify funding opportunities; update the resources mobilization strategy as needs emerge.
• Develop a resource mobilisation strategy and implementation plan

2. Strategic Engagements and Partnerships with Development Partners

• Liaise with UN Women’s national committees e.g. by having bi-annual calls.
• Provide regular updates on donor profiles, databases (e.g. contacts management) and donor intelligence.
• Act as focal point for donors, building institutional relationships with donors.
• Lead organizing of events and round tables to garner strategic partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Prepare briefing notes and talking points in support of partner engagement activities including donor round tables.

3. Support to Programme Teams to Develop Bankable Proposals

• Work with programme teams to develop targeted products and initiatives to mobilize programmatic resources and attract additional donors’ funding to address the SNs’ priorities and funding gaps.
• Provide technical inputs to the Malawi CO management in the preparation of missions, meetings, and other consultations with potential donors, including the preparation of notes, briefs and other materials.
• Provide inputs to the drafting and review of partner-specific Framework Arrangements and Cost Sharing Agreements.
• Undertake any other duties as may be requested by the Management.

Deliverables

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

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 Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Functional Compentencies: 

• Strong knowledge of gender equality and women’s rights issues;
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives of Member States (donor and programme);
• Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UN Women;
• Excellent negotiating skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of UN system and familiarity with inter-governmental processes;
• Excellent IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages;
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, business management, social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, women’s studies, or a related field is required.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, communications/ advocacy, and/or business development;
• Experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Experience working with civil society organizations, international institutions and donors;
• Experience working in the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English