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.
UN Women Uganda promotes Gender Equality and Women Empowerment through various themes, including Women Economic Empowerment (WEE). The goal of WEE is to ensure women have income security, decent work, and economic autonomy. The 2022-2025 strategic note emphasizes providing technical support to girls to enhance their digital inclusion, literacy, and STEM initiatives. Currently, Ugandaโs WEE portfolio is implementing the third phase of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI III) to increase women's participation in ICT and coding. The AGCCI III focuses on bridging the technological divide by increasing women's access to modern technology and empowering them through education and employment. This initiative aims to enable young girls and women to contribute to Africa's innovation, industrialization, and growth by mastering ICT.
The project is implemented in collaboration with government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and National Guidance, and Uganda Bureau of Statistics. The project will target selected secondary schools and communities in the Eastern, Central, and Western regions to maximize impact by reaching young girls and women at critical stages of their educational and professional development.
Key interventions and deliverables of the project include providing comprehensive digital skills training in ICT and coding to enhance digital literacy and technical skills. Additionally, the project will ensure access to modern technology and resources necessary for effective learning and application. Mentorship programs will be offered to guide and support participants throughout their learning journey, fostering their growth and development in the field of ICT.
UN Women Uganda Country Office is seeking a Programme Consultant to support the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) portfolio. The consultant will be instrumental in implementing the AGCCI III project, promoting digital inclusion, and contributing to economic empowerment by equipping women with digital skills. This initiative aims to enhance women's economic opportunities, promote gender equality by ensuring access to education and employment in the ICT sector, and support sustainable development through increased female participation in innovation and industrial growth.
The key interventions of the AGCCI III project include providing comprehensive digital skills training in ICT and coding to enhance digital literacy and technical skills among women and girls. The project will also ensure access to modern technology and resources necessary for effective learning and application. Additionally, mentorship programs will be offered to guide and support participants throughout their learning journey, fostering their growth and development in the field of ICT.
The key deliverables of the project are increased digital literacy and ICT skills among women and girls, enhanced employment opportunities in the ICT sector for women, and greater participation of women in technological innovation and industrial activities. The AGCCI III project in Uganda is a strategic effort to bridge the technological divide and empower women through education and employment in ICT. By focusing on these areas and leveraging collaborative partnerships, the project aims to create a more inclusive and innovative future for Uganda and Africa.
The consultant will be reporting to Team lead Governance.
Description of Responsibilities/Scope of Work
Implementย ICT strategies and new technologiesย in accordance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and procedures to deliver the AGCCI IIIย
Support the implementation of the AGCCI III workplan, adopting ICT strategies and new technologies, in accordance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and procedure; ensuring targets are met and activities are aligned with project goals. Provide technical and advisory support during team meetings, workshops, and retreats, both internally and with government partners with reports on the AGCCI III project. Provided ICT support during sensitization of schools and communities about the project, promoting participation among girls and boys for community ownership and sustainability. Provide technical ICT support to the trainers, mentors, partners, and beneficiaries of phase I and III, ensuring effective delivery of the AGCCI project. Collaborate with management to ensure IT gadgets supplied by the project are functional, safe, and customized to meet the needs of the beneficiaries. Ensure smooth operations within the training hub, including troubleshooting technical issues and maintaining equipment and software functionality during trainings.Ensure effective functioning of the AGCCI III project hardware and software:
Install, operate, and maintain all AGCCI III project hardware equipment.ย Provide advice on the acquisition of the AGCCI III project hardware supplies.ย Make routine repairs and change of the AGCCI III hardware electronic components.ย Plan, install and maintain all communication systems for the AGCCI III project.ย Install commercial and in-house developed software and related upgrades, anti-virus programmes for the AGCCI III.ย Maintain an up-to-date inventory of the AGCCI III software and hardware.ย Manage all logistical, administrative, and financial arrangements for ICT support to AGCCI III in meetings, workshops, events, and missions, ensuring smooth execution and coordination. Provide administrative support for organizing training sessions for staff and partners on AGCCI, and prepare briefing materials, reports and minutes, PowerPoint presentations, and other necessary documentation in collaboration with the Programme team.Ensure efficient networks administration and technical support in delivery of the AGCCI II project.
Maintain measures for business continuity and disaster recovery processes and procedures including backup and restoration of data in the computers at the ย at the AGCCI III project facility Monitor the network connection daily to ensure a stable and responsive network environment.ย Configure network printers and provide user access as required for the AGCCI III.ย Trouble-shoot and monitor network problems; respond to user needs and questions regarding network access.ย Implement backup and restoration procedures for local drives; maintain backup logs; organize off-site/cloud-based storage of backups.ยProvide administrative support regarding ICT issues for delivery of the AGCCI III:
Provide technical support in the procurement of new ICT equipment for the AGCCI III.ย provide technical specifications and information on the best options in both local and international markets, review quotations and bids.ย Maintain inventory and stock of supplies and spare parts in cooperation with the Procurement Unit.ย , Support to the physical inventory verification exercise by checking the accuracy of records and location of property and preparing inventory reports as required for the AGCCI III.ย ย Provide ICT support to key events of the AGCCI III.ยProvide technical support and advice to the Programme staff:
Diagnose, evaluate, and prioritize requests for assistance from ย programme staff iย experiencing problems with hardware, application software, operating systems, networking and other computer related issues.ย Liaise with ICT Personnel in the ESA Regional Office for support and guidance in provision of ICT support to deliver the AGCCI III.ย Meet all ICT on-boarding requirements for AGCCI III personnel.ย ยFacilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the AGCCI project:
Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, and information provision to support the AGCCI III project delivery.ย ย Contribute to the organization of trainings for the ย AGCCI III staff on ICT issues.ย ย Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in ICT.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Results/expected outputs:
Consultantโs Workplace and Official Travel
The consultants will be based at the UNWOMEN Kampala Offices.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
Functional Competencies:
Good knowledge of project management of ICT related projects.ย Ability to work with minimal supervision. Strong IT skills.ย Strong knowledge of PC/LAN operating systems, Microsoft Windows, corporate ICT security and virus protection systems.ย Strong PC hardware troubleshooting skills. Strong knowledge of video conferencing and telecommunication.ย Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, elaboration and implementation of new systems.ย Good Communication skills.Required Qualifications.
Completion of secondary education is required.ย ย Bachelorโs degree in computer science is an asset.ย Cisco Certified Network Engineer (CCNE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) is an added advantage.ยExperience:
At least 7 years of working experience in network administration and use of hardware/software, telecommunications facilities. Experience in ICT security, project, and ICT implementation work, ensuring effective delivery of ICT-related projects. Proven expertise in digital transformation, cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity, enabling the consultant to guide and implement advanced technological solutions.ย Strong knowledge and experience working on ICT policy frameworks, data governance, and system integration, ensuring compliance and effective management of ICT systems. Experience working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language and the local language is desirable.ย
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,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย 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 toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย 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.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.
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