The African Union High-Level Presidential Response to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), established in 2020, seeks to mobilize political commitment and action at the highest level of the AU leadership and decision-making to prevent and end VAWG in Africa. Renamed the AU High Level Presidential Initiative on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa, it is comprised of: AU Chairpersons (current, former and incoming); AU Gender Champions; African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) and the AU Commission - Cabinet of the AUC Chairperson; Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (Convener and Facilitator) and the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (Secretariat). The Initiative is operationalized through the annual AU Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
The Inaugural AU Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence against Women and Girls in Africa, was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 25 November 2021, under the leadership of H.E. Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the AU 2021 Chairperson in collaboration with H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa and the AU 2020 Chairperson; H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and 2022 AU Chairperson; H.E. Nana Dankwa AkufoAddo, President of the Republic of Ghana and the AU Leader on Gender and Development Issues in Africa; and H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AUC Chairperson. The Conference was also hosted in partnership with the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) under the leadership of its Patron, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia. The main outcome of the conference was the Kinshasa Declaration and Call to Action which was subsequently adopted as an Assembly Decision (Assembly/ AU/Dec.819. XXXV) of the 35th Ordinary Session of 2 | P a g e the Assembly of the Union of Heads of State and Government in February 2022.
The Second Men's Conference on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls was held from 10 to 11 November, 2022 in Dakar, Senegal under the leadership of H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and 2022 AU Chairperson. The Conference was organized in collaboration with H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and AU Chairperson in 2020, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia and the Patron of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) with H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the AU Commission (AUC), facilitated by H.E. Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security. The Dakar Call to Action is the outcome of the 2nd Men’s Conference and seeks to accelerate implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration. The Heads of State committed to advance, promote and accelerate actions to prevent, sustainably address, and end the scourge of violence against women and girls on the continent.
Drawing from the outcomes of the two conferences, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government during their 36th Assembly held from 18 to 19 February 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, adopted a decision (Assembly/AU/Dec.865(XXXVI) to negotiate the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). This historic decision is one of the critical commitments under the Dakar Call to Action on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa.
The Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS) and the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) will lead the AUC’s processes towards the development and negotiations as well as adoption, ratification, domestication and implementation of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa.
UN Women is a key partner in the high-level Presidential Initiative on Positive Masculinity and has supported the strategic pre-consultations with various stakeholder including the faith-based organizations, communities of traditional leaders and CSOs as well the Men Conference. It is with this background that UN Women Liaison Office to the African Union Commission and United Economic Commission for Africa seeks to engage a Legal Expert to lead the drafting process for the AU CEVAWG working with the Reference Group of Legal Experts. The Reference Group of Legal Experts provides advisory and technical expertise in the development of the Convention, including expert advice and guidance on the text of the draft convention, comprehensive coverage of EVAWG issues, relevance to the African context and inclusion of appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and reporting. Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the chairpersonship of the Special Envoy (SE) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and supervision of the UN Women Special Representative, the Legal Expert will provide legal and technical inputs into the drafting, revising, and editing of the draft and will also coordinate strategic and technical actions towards the development of the AU CEVAWG, including engagement with relevant stakeholders and AU citizens during the 3rd Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity and stakeholder consultations preceding the Conference. The Consultant/Legal Expert will be seconded to the High-Level Presidential Initiative on Positive Masculinity to End VAWG, Specifically,
The Legal Expert will:
Submit approaches for the expected legislation, working methodology, along with action plan including timeline.
Provide legal and technical leadership into the drafting, revising, and editing of the AU CEVAWG, ensuring clear wording to facilitate easy, unambiguous interpretation.
Lead the implementation of activities as outlined in the agreed Roadmap, in order to negotiate, draft and adopt the AU CEVAWG at the next AU Summit in February 2024.
Carry out desk review and analysis of existing Member State and international legislative documents and materials relating to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
Design and implement a consultative process with relevant actors and key government officials in the field of EVAWG in justice, gender and women’s affairs, social development, humanitarian affairs, education, financial and economic inclusion and security agencies etc.
Facilitate dialogues and stakeholder meetings with Women’s Organisations, Men’s Organisations, Religious and Traditional Leaders, Government, Private Sector, CSO’s, the Youth, Academia, legislators, legal experts, media, and gender advocates. This will be done to with a view to develop recommendations for legislation in compliance with relevant international standards and requirements.
Incorporate recommendations from Continental stakeholders and agreed guidelines in the draft.
Coordinate and support the work of the Reference Group of Legal Experts
Plan, organize and manage the AU CEVAWG implementation and follow-up action in line with the outcomes of the Dakar Call to Action and the subsequent Executive Council decision (EX.CL/Dec.1190(XLII)) of 2023 in this regard.
Prepare a comprehensive final report with analysis of existing gaps relating to the first draft of the AU CEVAWG.
Work closely with the WGYD and OSE-WPS team as well as the 3rd Men’s Conference Coordinator.
The Legal expert shall deliver on the following outputs.
Inception Report detailing roadmap for the drafting and adoption of AUC:
First working version of pre-draft Convention.
Report summarizing inputs gathered through Stakeholder consultations to be prepared and forwarded for approval by the WDYG.
Briefings to the Presidential, Technical Working Groups, and the Reference Groups established to support the policy development process.
Final Draft Convention submitted with all inputs and subsequently approved by the WGYD, OSE-WPS and relevant stakeholders
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in the field of Law, International Relations. PhD preferable
Experience and competencies:
More than 10 years’ experience in legal field with specialization in legal drafting and policy analysis, human rights, gender equality Demonstrated knowledge of international, and regional human rights instruments
Sound expertise in law, gender equality and women’s empowerment, including policy and strategy development
Academic and practical research experience.
Strong knowledge and technical expertise on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Positive Masculinity, Women’s Human Rights and related fields.
Able to relate to external partners, including other international organizations and agencies, Governments, NGOs, grassroots community groups, etc.
Knowledge of the development context of the African continent.
Strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills as well as experience in working in a multicultural team.
Experience in a similar assignment is desirable
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of French or other African Union working language(s) would be an added advantage.
