High-Level Strategic Advisory and Advocacy Consultancy for Enhancing RC System Coordination on Leave No One Behind of Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean

Result of ServiceTo provide high-level strategic advice, thought leadership, and regional advocacy to support Leave no One behind Coordination on Afrodescendant themes in UN planning and programming frameworks. Expected Results: ● Strengthened regional momentum and visibility for the Afrodescendant themes. ● Tangible uptake of Afrodescendant priorities in UNCT analysis, planning frameworks and dialogues. ● Elevated political and institutional engagement between the UN Resident Coordinator System with Afrodescendant networks and champions. ● High-level advisory and Advocacy Support to two regional advocacy milestones (e.g., a high-level event, campaign, or declaration). ● Enhanced UN interagency collaboration and shared strategies with UN entities on Afrodescendant inclusion. ● Advice to support structured follow-up to the Afrodescendant Youth COMPASS Regional Convening. ● Advocacy and advice to support coordinated and inclusive regional participation in the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. ● Advice and Identification of funding opportunities to support sustained civil society engagement. Work LocationHome based with travel, if required. Expected duration6 months with possible extension. Duties and ResponsibilitiesIn alignment with the UN Secretary-General’s call to leave no one behind and to address systemic exclusion, the UN Development Coordination Office, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (DCO LAC) has prioritised RC System coordination on the rights, visibility, and inclusion of Afrodescendant populations. With over 200 million people of African descent in the region, addressing their historical and structural challenges requires enhanced system-wide coordination. Following the conclusion of the first International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), the United Nations has launched the Second Decade (2025–2034) under the theme “Recognition, Justice, and Development.” This next phase calls for accelerated progress through legal, institutional, and policy reform. It presents a timely opportunity to shift from commitments to implementation, and DCO LAC is leveraging its coordination mandate to advocate for embedding Afrodescendant priorities into UN planning, policy dialogue, and strategic advocacy across the region. The renewed Decade also offers a powerful entry point to align efforts with the Pact for the Future, the UN Youth Office’s COMPASS flagship, and broader UN reform efforts. In response to Afrodescendant youth and civil society, DCO LAC and partners are co-developing a youth-led regional initiative culminating in a high-impact initiative aimed at amplifying youth leadership and institutionalising their participation in shaping national and regional development priorities. The consultancy will further support RC system advocacy for and substantive underpinning of The UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, working closely with UN agencies, Funds and Programmes, to help ensure coordinated participation of governments, Resident Coordinators, and civil society. To provide high-level strategic advice, thought leadership, and regional advocacy to support Leave no One behind Coordination on Afrodescendant themes in UN planning and programming frameworks. Strategic Integration of Afrodescendant Priorities into UN Development Analysis and Planning: I. Coordinate high-level engagement with Resident Coordinators (RCs), UN Country Teams (UNCTs), and regional and HQ UN entities to embed Afrodescendant inclusion in Common Country Analyses (CCAs), Cooperation Frameworks (CFs), and other UN development planning instruments. II. Provide tailored strategic advisory inputs to RC Offices and UNCTs in up to three priority countries undertaking Afrodescendant-related analysis and programme design, to ensure these are aligned with national development goals and human rights standards. III. Lead DCO-LAC drive to e Establish and strengthen partnerships with UN system entities, including UNFPA, OHCHR, ECLAC, and others, to promote a cohesive, system-wide approach to advancing Afrodescendant rights and visibility across regional and country-level programming. Political and Intergovernmental Advocacy for Systemic Change: I. Lead strategic advocacy with regional political stakeholders, including national governments, CELAC, CARICOM, and other intergovernmental bodies, to position Afrodescendant inclusion as a core priority within the regional development agenda. II. Provide strategic advice for the convening of a high-level, intersectoral preparatory meeting involving high level government officials, RCs, civil society, And UN leadership as a political mobilisation platform toward the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent or a future global forum. III. Advise the DCO LAC Regional Director on the messaging, visibility, and external positioning of the Afrodescendant Agenda in UN regional communications, ensuring alignment with intersectional human rights principles and the objectives of the Second Decade. Youth Engagement and Regional Leadership Platforms: I. Provide advisory support for enhanced coordination between the RC System and the UN Regional Coordination Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean’s Working Group on Populations Left Behind. II. Provide high-level advice for the planning, execution, and follow-up of the Afrodescendant Youth COMPASS Regional Convening in Colón, Panama, ensuring interagency alignment, meaningful youth participation, and long-term institutional impact. III. Support sustained engagement with Afrodescendant youth networks, civil society organisations, including women NOGs And regional actors to institutionalise youth leadership and follow through on COMPASS commitments and outcomes across UN and governmental platforms. Advocacy on Regional Representation and Resource Mobilisation: I. Advocate for the structured and well-resourced participation of Afrodescendant youth and civil society in the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, including through engagement with donors, Member States, and relevant UN funding instruments. II. Identify and advise the DCO Regional Director on strategic opportunities for regional visibility and international cooperation by leveraging milestone events (e.g., the Permanent Forum, Summit of the Future, ICPD+30) to ensure Afrodescendant leadership and lived experiences inform global policy processes. Qualifications/special skills- Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field. - A minimum of 20 years of experience working at a senior director level within the UN system in Latin America and the Caribbean. - Proven track record of high-level advisory, advocacy, or political leadership in the region. - Demonstrated experience engaging on racial equity, social justice, or Afrodescendant issues. - Strong understanding of multilateral and intergovernmental processes in Latin America and the Caribbean. - Strong convening, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills. LanguagesExcellent written and verbal communication in English and Spanish, fluency required. Knowledge of Portuguese desirable. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.