Partner News

Despite the remarkable progress of women in many professions, politics is not one of them. Indeed, around the world, women have been conspicuous by their absence in decision and policy making in government. We know that women’s participation in politics makes a difference. Women bring different views, talents and perspectives to politics which help shape the political agenda. Changes in how parliaments operate reflect the positive impact of the presence of women, such as an improvement in the language and behaviour in parliaments; a different prioritization of issues and policies; gender sensitivity in all aspects of governing, including budgeting; and the introduction of new legislation and changes to existing laws.

To read the complete news please visit UN Chronicle.

Despite the remarkable progress of women in many professions, politics is not one of them. Indeed, around the world, women have been conspicuous by their absence in decision and policy making in government. We know that women’s participation in politics makes a difference. Women bring different views, talents and perspectives to politics which help shape the political agenda. Changes in how parliaments operate reflect the positive impact of the presence of women, such as an improvement in the language and behaviour in parliaments; a different prioritization of issues and policies; gender sensitivity in all aspects of governing, including budgeting; and the introduction of new legislation and changes to existing laws.

To read the complete news please visit UN Chronicle.

As Egypt prepares for legislative elections in November, one civic group is ramping up efforts to get citizens to the polls. One tactic is a new website, www.vote4egypt.com, which launched today to bolster an ongoing campaign to convey the importance of voting.

Vote4Egypt.com features promotional GOTV videos, posters and message boards where users can discuss topics such as how to get voter identification cards and where to vote on election day.  The website also tells citizens how they can play an active role in the GOTV campaign.

Election monitoring groups estimated that voter turnout last June for balloting for the upper house of the Egyptian parliament at 5 to 10 percent. Backers of the website hope that it will help increase turnout. 

It’s part of a larger civic participation effort initiated by the nonpartisan Bridge Center for Dialogue and Development, a NDI partner organization. Bridge’s “Have a Voice” campaign, initiated last year, focused on getting voters registered, which is permitted in Egypt between November and January.

NDI sought to help Bridge extend its reach by providing technical assistance in developing the website and producing print promotional materials that strengthened Bridge’s ongoing campaign, which started with a Facebook page and a video ad carried on satellite television.

“Have a Voice” encourages all Egyptians to vote but is targeted particularly at young voters, who have not participated at high levels in past elections. One reason is that Egyptians born after 1982 are automatically registered to vote on their 18th birthday – seemingly a convenient and positive mechanism for supporting turnout. But these voters must go to their local police station to get their voter cards, which many are afraid to do.

The campaign seeks to dispel those fears and encourages young voters to take the necessary steps to participate. The effort, founded by a group of Egyptian bloggers, continues to use social media as an outreach tool as the Internet is a relatively free environment in Egypt, and young people have especially taken advantage of that.

After the November elections, the “Have a Voice” campaign will focus again on voter registration in preparation for Egypt’s presidential elections, expected in September 2011. Citizens will have from November to January to register.

NDI opened an office in Egypt in 2005 and began providing technical assistance to several Egyptian civil society organizations observing the 2005 parliamentary and presidential elections.

To read further please visit NDI.

As Egypt prepares for legislative elections in November, one civic group is ramping up efforts to get citizens to the polls. One tactic is a new website, www.vote4egypt.com, which launched today to bolster an ongoing campaign to convey the importance of voting.

Vote4Egypt.com features promotional GOTV videos, posters and message boards where users can discuss topics such as how to get voter identification cards and where to vote on election day.  The website also tells citizens how they can play an active role in the GOTV campaign.

Election monitoring groups estimated that voter turnout last June for balloting for the upper house of the Egyptian parliament at 5 to 10 percent. Backers of the website hope that it will help increase turnout. 

It’s part of a larger civic participation effort initiated by the nonpartisan Bridge Center for Dialogue and Development, a NDI partner organization. Bridge’s “Have a Voice” campaign, initiated last year, focused on getting voters registered, which is permitted in Egypt between November and January.

NDI sought to help Bridge extend its reach by providing technical assistance in developing the website and producing print promotional materials that strengthened Bridge’s ongoing campaign, which started with a Facebook page and a video ad carried on satellite television.

“Have a Voice” encourages all Egyptians to vote but is targeted particularly at young voters, who have not participated at high levels in past elections. One reason is that Egyptians born after 1982 are automatically registered to vote on their 18th birthday – seemingly a convenient and positive mechanism for supporting turnout. But these voters must go to their local police station to get their voter cards, which many are afraid to do.

The campaign seeks to dispel those fears and encourages young voters to take the necessary steps to participate. The effort, founded by a group of Egyptian bloggers, continues to use social media as an outreach tool as the Internet is a relatively free environment in Egypt, and young people have especially taken advantage of that.

After the November elections, the “Have a Voice” campaign will focus again on voter registration in preparation for Egypt’s presidential elections, expected in September 2011. Citizens will have from November to January to register.

NDI opened an office in Egypt in 2005 and began providing technical assistance to several Egyptian civil society organizations observing the 2005 parliamentary and presidential elections.

To read further please visit NDI.

As Egypt prepares for legislative elections in November, one civic group is ramping up efforts to get citizens to the polls. One tactic is a new website, www.vote4egypt.com, which launched today to bolster an ongoing campaign to convey the importance of voting.

Vote4Egypt.com features promotional GOTV videos, posters and message boards where users can discuss topics such as how to get voter identification cards and where to vote on election day.  The website also tells citizens how they can play an active role in the GOTV campaign.

Election monitoring groups estimated that voter turnout last June for balloting for the upper house of the Egyptian parliament at 5 to 10 percent. Backers of the website hope that it will help increase turnout. 

It’s part of a larger civic participation effort initiated by the nonpartisan Bridge Center for Dialogue and Development, a NDI partner organization. Bridge’s “Have a Voice” campaign, initiated last year, focused on getting voters registered, which is permitted in Egypt between November and January.

NDI sought to help Bridge extend its reach by providing technical assistance in developing the website and producing print promotional materials that strengthened Bridge’s ongoing campaign, which started with a Facebook page and a video ad carried on satellite television.

“Have a Voice” encourages all Egyptians to vote but is targeted particularly at young voters, who have not participated at high levels in past elections. One reason is that Egyptians born after 1982 are automatically registered to vote on their 18th birthday – seemingly a convenient and positive mechanism for supporting turnout. But these voters must go to their local police station to get their voter cards, which many are afraid to do.

The campaign seeks to dispel those fears and encourages young voters to take the necessary steps to participate. The effort, founded by a group of Egyptian bloggers, continues to use social media as an outreach tool as the Internet is a relatively free environment in Egypt, and young people have especially taken advantage of that.

After the November elections, the “Have a Voice” campaign will focus again on voter registration in preparation for Egypt’s presidential elections, expected in September 2011. Citizens will have from November to January to register.

NDI opened an office in Egypt in 2005 and began providing technical assistance to several Egyptian civil society organizations observing the 2005 parliamentary and presidential elections.

To read further please visit NDI.

UN Under-Secretary-General for UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, has commended the UN Security Council for its willingness to accelerate progress on historic resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The Council marked the 10th anniversary of the resolution, which made historic commitments to women, peace and security, through an Open Debate yesterday that considered a stronger implementation, monitoring and accountability framework. More than 80 Member States delivered statements to the Council.

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

United Nations, New York, 27 October 2010

“The Security Council is better equipped than ever before to ensure that women engage in peace talks and to build a stronger protection environment for women,” said Ms. Bachelet, referring to the Security Council’s Presidential Statement issued at the end of the Open Debate. This statement encourages use of a comprehensive set of indicators on 1325, proposed by the Secretary-General, for improved monitoring of the results of efforts by the UN and Member States to implement resolution 1325.

“All that is needed now to move from policy to action is determined leadership. We all know that women count for peace. But for them to count for peace, they need all of us.”

Resolution 1325 acknowledges that women and men experience conflict differently, and have different needs for protection and recovery. But these needs are often ignored, while women remain sidelined in peace talks and post-conflict planning. Member States participating in the Security Council debate agreed that despite the resolution’s intentions to correct these imbalances, implementation should improve.

The Security Council reviewed a new report from the Secretary-General on women, peace and security. It proposes a comprehensive set of indicators to track implementation, along with recommendations on how the Security Council could better respond to information on women in conflict. “The indicators will provide the evidence base that is badly needed for better monitoring,” said Ms. Bachelet.

The Secretary-General, earlier this month in a report on peacebuilding, also proposed priority actions to ensure women’s participation in peacebuilding, raise low levels of post-conflict financing for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and improve gender expertise in urgent recovery efforts.

The Security Council meeting is expected to help expedite future implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions addressing prevention of sexual violence, protection of civilians and peacebuilding. Twenty-three UN Member States have now endorsed national 1325 action plans. As part of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325, Member States have been announcing and tracking commitments to improve their performance, by, for instance, contributing more women troops and police to UN peacekeeping, providing financial incentives to delegations to peace negotiations to include women and increasing the proportion of post-conflict funding dedicated to women’s empowerment.

Ms. Bachelet applauded “the manifest determination of so many of the United Nations Member States to step up their commitments.”

UN Women will support coherence and coordination across the UN system in advancing women’s participation in conflict resolution. UN Women will support existing and new efforts to improve the protection environment for women during and after conflict, to engage women in conflict prevention, and to ensure peacebuilding processes are guided by women’s perspectives and address their needs.

To read further please visit UN Women.

UN Under-Secretary-General for UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, has commended the UN Security Council for its willingness to accelerate progress on historic resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The Council marked the 10th anniversary of the resolution, which made historic commitments to women, peace and security, through an Open Debate yesterday that considered a stronger implementation, monitoring and accountability framework. More than 80 Member States delivered statements to the Council.

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

United Nations, New York, 27 October 2010

“The Security Council is better equipped than ever before to ensure that women engage in peace talks and to build a stronger protection environment for women,” said Ms. Bachelet, referring to the Security Council’s Presidential Statement issued at the end of the Open Debate. This statement encourages use of a comprehensive set of indicators on 1325, proposed by the Secretary-General, for improved monitoring of the results of efforts by the UN and Member States to implement resolution 1325.

“All that is needed now to move from policy to action is determined leadership. We all know that women count for peace. But for them to count for peace, they need all of us.”

Resolution 1325 acknowledges that women and men experience conflict differently, and have different needs for protection and recovery. But these needs are often ignored, while women remain sidelined in peace talks and post-conflict planning. Member States participating in the Security Council debate agreed that despite the resolution’s intentions to correct these imbalances, implementation should improve.

The Security Council reviewed a new report from the Secretary-General on women, peace and security. It proposes a comprehensive set of indicators to track implementation, along with recommendations on how the Security Council could better respond to information on women in conflict. “The indicators will provide the evidence base that is badly needed for better monitoring,” said Ms. Bachelet.

The Secretary-General, earlier this month in a report on peacebuilding, also proposed priority actions to ensure women’s participation in peacebuilding, raise low levels of post-conflict financing for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and improve gender expertise in urgent recovery efforts.

The Security Council meeting is expected to help expedite future implementation of resolution 1325 and related resolutions addressing prevention of sexual violence, protection of civilians and peacebuilding. Twenty-three UN Member States have now endorsed national 1325 action plans. As part of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325, Member States have been announcing and tracking commitments to improve their performance, by, for instance, contributing more women troops and police to UN peacekeeping, providing financial incentives to delegations to peace negotiations to include women and increasing the proportion of post-conflict funding dedicated to women’s empowerment.

Ms. Bachelet applauded “the manifest determination of so many of the United Nations Member States to step up their commitments.”

UN Women will support coherence and coordination across the UN system in advancing women’s participation in conflict resolution. UN Women will support existing and new efforts to improve the protection environment for women during and after conflict, to engage women in conflict prevention, and to ensure peacebuilding processes are guided by women’s perspectives and address their needs.

To read further please visit UN Women.

More than 11,000 poor rural women in Zanzibar had access to election information and voter education in the just ended general election through group radio listening initiatives.The initiative was facilitated by the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) which distributed 384 solar radios to the women organised in groups of 30 people through Empowerment Project of Zanzibar (WEZA).
For more information, please visit AllAfrica.com.

More than 11,000 poor rural women in Zanzibar had access to election information and voter education in the just ended general election through group radio listening initiatives.The initiative was facilitated by the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) which distributed 384 solar radios to the women organised in groups of 30 people through Empowerment Project of Zanzibar (WEZA).
For more information, please visit AllAfrica.com.

More than 11,000 poor rural women in Zanzibar had access to election information and voter education in the just ended general election through group radio listening initiatives.The initiative was facilitated by the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) which distributed 384 solar radios to the women organised in groups of 30 people through Empowerment Project of Zanzibar (WEZA).
For more information, please visit AllAfrica.com.

Earlier this year a field review of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Gender Programmes was carried out under the auspices of Stockholm-based InDevelop-IPM. The review was commissioned by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) together with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Irish Aid.
Independent Gender specialist Lesley Abdela was appointed Team Leader. She conducted field trips to Amman, Bamako, IPU HQ Geneva, and Sida HQ, Stockholm. Co-author Ann Boman made visits to Sida HQ in Stockholm and the IPU HQ in Geneva. The independent review team assessed the IPU Gender Programme for Relevance, Effectiveness, Sustainability and Administration & Management. The review was published late-2010.This synopsis is circulated with the consent of the IPU and Sida. For complimentary electronic copies of the full report, email:- Eyecatcher/Shevolution: tim.symonds@shevolution.com - InDevelop-IPM: jessica.rothman@indevelop.seExcerpts· Women In Parliament: The Gender Review Team found the IPU to be much appreciated and trusted by Parliamentarians worldwide as an organisation with a shared wealth of knowledge and experience of the realities of the role of Parliamentarians. In much of the world, women entering Parliament face a kaleidoscope of challenges in a political environment often inhospitable and male-dominated. The obstacles preventing women from attaining equality inside and outside Parliament broadly break down into three categories: legislative obstacles, institutional obstacles, and obstacles caused by cultural stereotypes and attitudes. The IPU Gender Programme makes relevant interventions to address these three categories in relation to Parliaments and women in politics. Apart from the IPU, few resources and efforts worldwide are centred on a holistic approach: strengthening the capacity and skills of women once elected to Parliament, developing the capacity of Parliamentarians as a whole to include a Gender perspective in all aspects of their role, and helping legislatures to metamorphose into Gender-sensitive institutions.· Strengthening the Institution of Parliament: In the plan of activities for ‘Strengthening the Institution of Parliament’ all 14 IPU target countries are coming out of deadly conflict or other major upheavals. The IPU could play a major role by systematic implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889. This would also contribute to the IPU’s aim of moving closer to the UN family.· Support services, policies, budgets and guidelines: Mainstreaming Gender effectively into all elements of an organisation’s plans and activities means a commitment to development work involving a strategic plan of implementation which may last several years. Management must take clear responsibility for planning and setting targets and indicators for Gender-mainstreaming the Organisation. Some recommendations on what is important for success are listed in the METS-tool· A prerequisite for Gender-mainstreaming as a strategy is that all actors involved openly acknowledge Gender equality as a relevant objective and show their willingness to include Gender in all programmes. Incentives can play a large role – as part of career appraisals, promotion, contract compliance and programme evaluations. Sharing good examples of ToRs/project documents/evaluations/best-practice within the organisation could be of real value· It is worth keeping in mind fashions come and go. At present ‘Mainstreaming Gender’ has become very fashionable and if fully implemented to the point Gender-matters permeate to the core of all programmes, it has considerable merit. Nevertheless, a word of warning is in order. Mainstreaming Gender is too often interpreted (incorrectly) as the creation of a focal point where some not-very-senior staff member is made to add ‘Gender’ to his/her existing duties, usually with no extra salary or status. Often Mainstreaming Gender is left to swing in the wind, accompanied by absolutely no monitoring or revisiting. The result is two or three years can pass before anyone discovers nothing at all has happened. By then it is also impossible to discover where the problem lies – the ‘mainstreaming’ has really been a dilution rather than a concentration of responsibility.

Earlier this year a field review of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Gender Programmes was carried out under the auspices of Stockholm-based InDevelop-IPM. The review was commissioned by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) together with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Irish Aid.
Independent Gender specialist Lesley Abdela was appointed Team Leader. She conducted field trips to Amman, Bamako, IPU HQ Geneva, and Sida HQ, Stockholm. Co-author Ann Boman made visits to Sida HQ in Stockholm and the IPU HQ in Geneva. The independent review team assessed the IPU Gender Programme for Relevance, Effectiveness, Sustainability and Administration & Management. The review was published late-2010.This synopsis is circulated with the consent of the IPU and Sida. For complimentary electronic copies of the full report, email:- Eyecatcher/Shevolution: tim.symonds@shevolution.com - InDevelop-IPM: jessica.rothman@indevelop.seExcerpts· Women In Parliament: The Gender Review Team found the IPU to be much appreciated and trusted by Parliamentarians worldwide as an organisation with a shared wealth of knowledge and experience of the realities of the role of Parliamentarians. In much of the world, women entering Parliament face a kaleidoscope of challenges in a political environment often inhospitable and male-dominated. The obstacles preventing women from attaining equality inside and outside Parliament broadly break down into three categories: legislative obstacles, institutional obstacles, and obstacles caused by cultural stereotypes and attitudes. The IPU Gender Programme makes relevant interventions to address these three categories in relation to Parliaments and women in politics. Apart from the IPU, few resources and efforts worldwide are centred on a holistic approach: strengthening the capacity and skills of women once elected to Parliament, developing the capacity of Parliamentarians as a whole to include a Gender perspective in all aspects of their role, and helping legislatures to metamorphose into Gender-sensitive institutions.· Strengthening the Institution of Parliament: In the plan of activities for ‘Strengthening the Institution of Parliament’ all 14 IPU target countries are coming out of deadly conflict or other major upheavals. The IPU could play a major role by systematic implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889. This would also contribute to the IPU’s aim of moving closer to the UN family.· Support services, policies, budgets and guidelines: Mainstreaming Gender effectively into all elements of an organisation’s plans and activities means a commitment to development work involving a strategic plan of implementation which may last several years. Management must take clear responsibility for planning and setting targets and indicators for Gender-mainstreaming the Organisation. Some recommendations on what is important for success are listed in the METS-tool· A prerequisite for Gender-mainstreaming as a strategy is that all actors involved openly acknowledge Gender equality as a relevant objective and show their willingness to include Gender in all programmes. Incentives can play a large role – as part of career appraisals, promotion, contract compliance and programme evaluations. Sharing good examples of ToRs/project documents/evaluations/best-practice within the organisation could be of real value· It is worth keeping in mind fashions come and go. At present ‘Mainstreaming Gender’ has become very fashionable and if fully implemented to the point Gender-matters permeate to the core of all programmes, it has considerable merit. Nevertheless, a word of warning is in order. Mainstreaming Gender is too often interpreted (incorrectly) as the creation of a focal point where some not-very-senior staff member is made to add ‘Gender’ to his/her existing duties, usually with no extra salary or status. Often Mainstreaming Gender is left to swing in the wind, accompanied by absolutely no monitoring or revisiting. The result is two or three years can pass before anyone discovers nothing at all has happened. By then it is also impossible to discover where the problem lies – the ‘mainstreaming’ has really been a dilution rather than a concentration of responsibility.

Earlier this year a field review of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Gender Programmes was carried out under the auspices of Stockholm-based InDevelop-IPM. The review was commissioned by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) together with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Irish Aid.
Independent Gender specialist Lesley Abdela was appointed Team Leader. She conducted field trips to Amman, Bamako, IPU HQ Geneva, and Sida HQ, Stockholm. Co-author Ann Boman made visits to Sida HQ in Stockholm and the IPU HQ in Geneva. The independent review team assessed the IPU Gender Programme for Relevance, Effectiveness, Sustainability and Administration & Management. The review was published late-2010.This synopsis is circulated with the consent of the IPU and Sida. For complimentary electronic copies of the full report, email:- Eyecatcher/Shevolution: tim.symonds@shevolution.com - InDevelop-IPM: jessica.rothman@indevelop.seExcerpts· Women In Parliament: The Gender Review Team found the IPU to be much appreciated and trusted by Parliamentarians worldwide as an organisation with a shared wealth of knowledge and experience of the realities of the role of Parliamentarians. In much of the world, women entering Parliament face a kaleidoscope of challenges in a political environment often inhospitable and male-dominated. The obstacles preventing women from attaining equality inside and outside Parliament broadly break down into three categories: legislative obstacles, institutional obstacles, and obstacles caused by cultural stereotypes and attitudes. The IPU Gender Programme makes relevant interventions to address these three categories in relation to Parliaments and women in politics. Apart from the IPU, few resources and efforts worldwide are centred on a holistic approach: strengthening the capacity and skills of women once elected to Parliament, developing the capacity of Parliamentarians as a whole to include a Gender perspective in all aspects of their role, and helping legislatures to metamorphose into Gender-sensitive institutions.· Strengthening the Institution of Parliament: In the plan of activities for ‘Strengthening the Institution of Parliament’ all 14 IPU target countries are coming out of deadly conflict or other major upheavals. The IPU could play a major role by systematic implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889. This would also contribute to the IPU’s aim of moving closer to the UN family.· Support services, policies, budgets and guidelines: Mainstreaming Gender effectively into all elements of an organisation’s plans and activities means a commitment to development work involving a strategic plan of implementation which may last several years. Management must take clear responsibility for planning and setting targets and indicators for Gender-mainstreaming the Organisation. Some recommendations on what is important for success are listed in the METS-tool· A prerequisite for Gender-mainstreaming as a strategy is that all actors involved openly acknowledge Gender equality as a relevant objective and show their willingness to include Gender in all programmes. Incentives can play a large role – as part of career appraisals, promotion, contract compliance and programme evaluations. Sharing good examples of ToRs/project documents/evaluations/best-practice within the organisation could be of real value· It is worth keeping in mind fashions come and go. At present ‘Mainstreaming Gender’ has become very fashionable and if fully implemented to the point Gender-matters permeate to the core of all programmes, it has considerable merit. Nevertheless, a word of warning is in order. Mainstreaming Gender is too often interpreted (incorrectly) as the creation of a focal point where some not-very-senior staff member is made to add ‘Gender’ to his/her existing duties, usually with no extra salary or status. Often Mainstreaming Gender is left to swing in the wind, accompanied by absolutely no monitoring or revisiting. The result is two or three years can pass before anyone discovers nothing at all has happened. By then it is also impossible to discover where the problem lies – the ‘mainstreaming’ has really been a dilution rather than a concentration of responsibility.

Earlier this year a field review of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Gender Programmes was carried out under the auspices of Stockholm-based InDevelop-IPM. The review was commissioned by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) together with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Irish Aid.
Independent Gender specialist Lesley Abdela was appointed Team Leader. She conducted field trips to Amman, Bamako, IPU HQ Geneva, and Sida HQ, Stockholm. Co-author Ann Boman made visits to Sida HQ in Stockholm and the IPU HQ in Geneva. The independent review team assessed the IPU Gender Programme for Relevance, Effectiveness, Sustainability and Administration & Management. The review was published late-2010.This synopsis is circulated with the consent of the IPU and Sida. For complimentary electronic copies of the full report, email:- Eyecatcher/Shevolution: tim.symonds@shevolution.com - InDevelop-IPM: jessica.rothman@indevelop.seExcerpts· Women In Parliament: The Gender Review Team found the IPU to be much appreciated and trusted by Parliamentarians worldwide as an organisation with a shared wealth of knowledge and experience of the realities of the role of Parliamentarians. In much of the world, women entering Parliament face a kaleidoscope of challenges in a political environment often inhospitable and male-dominated. The obstacles preventing women from attaining equality inside and outside Parliament broadly break down into three categories: legislative obstacles, institutional obstacles, and obstacles caused by cultural stereotypes and attitudes. The IPU Gender Programme makes relevant interventions to address these three categories in relation to Parliaments and women in politics. Apart from the IPU, few resources and efforts worldwide are centred on a holistic approach: strengthening the capacity and skills of women once elected to Parliament, developing the capacity of Parliamentarians as a whole to include a Gender perspective in all aspects of their role, and helping legislatures to metamorphose into Gender-sensitive institutions.· Strengthening the Institution of Parliament: In the plan of activities for ‘Strengthening the Institution of Parliament’ all 14 IPU target countries are coming out of deadly conflict or other major upheavals. The IPU could play a major role by systematic implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889. This would also contribute to the IPU’s aim of moving closer to the UN family.· Support services, policies, budgets and guidelines: Mainstreaming Gender effectively into all elements of an organisation’s plans and activities means a commitment to development work involving a strategic plan of implementation which may last several years. Management must take clear responsibility for planning and setting targets and indicators for Gender-mainstreaming the Organisation. Some recommendations on what is important for success are listed in the METS-tool· A prerequisite for Gender-mainstreaming as a strategy is that all actors involved openly acknowledge Gender equality as a relevant objective and show their willingness to include Gender in all programmes. Incentives can play a large role – as part of career appraisals, promotion, contract compliance and programme evaluations. Sharing good examples of ToRs/project documents/evaluations/best-practice within the organisation could be of real value· It is worth keeping in mind fashions come and go. At present ‘Mainstreaming Gender’ has become very fashionable and if fully implemented to the point Gender-matters permeate to the core of all programmes, it has considerable merit. Nevertheless, a word of warning is in order. Mainstreaming Gender is too often interpreted (incorrectly) as the creation of a focal point where some not-very-senior staff member is made to add ‘Gender’ to his/her existing duties, usually with no extra salary or status. Often Mainstreaming Gender is left to swing in the wind, accompanied by absolutely no monitoring or revisiting. The result is two or three years can pass before anyone discovers nothing at all has happened. By then it is also impossible to discover where the problem lies – the ‘mainstreaming’ has really been a dilution rather than a concentration of responsibility.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) through its Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, part of UN Women) last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new category of the United Nations Public Service Awards, which will recognize public sector institutional efforts in providing gender-responsive service delivery.

The United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions to development in countries around the world. Through an annual competition, the awards promote the role, professionalism and visibility of public service. Winners are announced every year on 23 June, United Nations Public Service Day.

An efficient public administration that delivers services for all citizens is central to the achievement of the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Yet, the lack of gender equality remains a challenge in many parts of the world and negatively impacts progress towards all of the MDGs. While there has been notable progress in ratifying conventions and improving legislation, adequate design and delivery of gender-responsive services have lagged behind. Women, and in particular women in hardship, represent the overwhelming majority of those who access and use public services. Public authorities have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the service delivery needs of women are met. For this reason, the new award category will serve as a token of recognition for public servants who are working tirelessly to improve the delivery of services to women, and will also serve to encourage others to learn from and replicate their good examples.

The UN Public Service Awards are managed by Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) of UNDESA. DPADM helps countries build and develop public institutions, as well as strengthen government capacity to promote sustainable development, advance public sector reform and improve the quality of public service delivery. By offering capacity-building activities, sharing knowledge, and providing training and online tools, the Division promotes efficient, effective and citizen-oriented public services, based on the principles of transparency, accountability and civic participation. The Division stresses innovative approaches to public management, in particular through e-government development.

UNIFEM (part of UN Women) is committed to building good governance and is mandated to promote gender equality through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Beijing Platform for Action. Over the last year UNIFEM (part of UN Women) has been drawing attention to the issue of gender-responsive service delivery through its programme “Gender and Democratic Governance in Development: Delivering Services for Women.” The programme, which is generously funded by the Government of Norway, supports reforms that advance gender equality in the governance of service delivery in various countries, and builds knowledge and develops tools for improving the delivery of public goods and services to men and women.

The new Memorandum of Understanding also covers other areas of collaboration towards the betterment of public administration and women’s empowerment and gender equality, focusing in particular on knowledge building around “gender responsive public service delivery.”

Online nominations for the award are now being accepted at: www.unpan.org/applyunpsa2011, and the deadline is 31 December 2010. For more information about the UNPSA Application Process, please visit: www.unpan.org/unpsa.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) through its Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, part of UN Women) last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new category of the United Nations Public Service Awards, which will recognize public sector institutional efforts in providing gender-responsive service delivery.

The United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions to development in countries around the world. Through an annual competition, the awards promote the role, professionalism and visibility of public service. Winners are announced every year on 23 June, United Nations Public Service Day.

An efficient public administration that delivers services for all citizens is central to the achievement of the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Yet, the lack of gender equality remains a challenge in many parts of the world and negatively impacts progress towards all of the MDGs. While there has been notable progress in ratifying conventions and improving legislation, adequate design and delivery of gender-responsive services have lagged behind. Women, and in particular women in hardship, represent the overwhelming majority of those who access and use public services. Public authorities have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the service delivery needs of women are met. For this reason, the new award category will serve as a token of recognition for public servants who are working tirelessly to improve the delivery of services to women, and will also serve to encourage others to learn from and replicate their good examples.

The UN Public Service Awards are managed by Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) of UNDESA. DPADM helps countries build and develop public institutions, as well as strengthen government capacity to promote sustainable development, advance public sector reform and improve the quality of public service delivery. By offering capacity-building activities, sharing knowledge, and providing training and online tools, the Division promotes efficient, effective and citizen-oriented public services, based on the principles of transparency, accountability and civic participation. The Division stresses innovative approaches to public management, in particular through e-government development.

UNIFEM (part of UN Women) is committed to building good governance and is mandated to promote gender equality through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Beijing Platform for Action. Over the last year UNIFEM (part of UN Women) has been drawing attention to the issue of gender-responsive service delivery through its programme “Gender and Democratic Governance in Development: Delivering Services for Women.” The programme, which is generously funded by the Government of Norway, supports reforms that advance gender equality in the governance of service delivery in various countries, and builds knowledge and develops tools for improving the delivery of public goods and services to men and women.

The new Memorandum of Understanding also covers other areas of collaboration towards the betterment of public administration and women’s empowerment and gender equality, focusing in particular on knowledge building around “gender responsive public service delivery.”

Online nominations for the award are now being accepted at: www.unpan.org/applyunpsa2011, and the deadline is 31 December 2010. For more information about the UNPSA Application Process, please visit: www.unpan.org/unpsa.

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the position of 'Programme Officer - Democracy and Governance', to be based in South Africa.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Programme Officer, Democracy and Governance

Main functions of the post:

* To provide expert advice, inputs and assistance with activities, projects and events relating to Democracy and Governance in Africa with special focus on elections; * To conceptualise and implement projects relating to the Africa Programme and any other project within Africa on governance and democracy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East, the incumbent performs the following duties: * Supports the democratic reform agenda specifically, the constitutional reform process, the support to political participation and national reconciliation process in the Region; * Liaises and works with all relevant local, national and international governmental and non-governmental actors; * Provides periodic updates on the political developments in the region; * Liaises and networks with Member States and IDEA partner organisations in the field; * Participates and contributes to the Africa programme and team activities as well as to the institutional consolidation of International IDEA; * Advises the Regional Director for Africa and Middle East, on all matters pertaining to the democratisation process in Africa and to keep abreast of developments in the region; * Provides support to democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodology; * Actively integrates the inclusion of a gender perspective in all programming activities; * Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or any person designated by him/her.

Qualifications and skills

Level and type of formal education: * University degree in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.

Professional experience: * Minimum of five (5) years experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within election processes in one or several international organizations; * Relevant field experience in any one of International IDEA's focus regions Latin America, Africa, Asia or the Arab World preferably in the areas of elections, political parties, democracy and governance would be an asset.

Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Elections; * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.

Supervisory responsibilities: * Supervision and management of Assistant Programme Officers and consultants working in his/her programmes, and on occasion interns/fellows.

Language skills: * English: Fluent written and oral * Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Computer skills: * Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.

Criteria for Professional Performance

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change

2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

3. Lead by Example

4. Be a Model of Integrity

5. Celebrate Diversity

6. Be a Team Worker/Builder

7. Strive for Success and Excellence

8. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level VI Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the position of 'Programme Officer - Democracy and Governance', to be based in South Africa.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Programme Officer, Democracy and Governance

Main functions of the post:

* To provide expert advice, inputs and assistance with activities, projects and events relating to Democracy and Governance in Africa with special focus on elections; * To conceptualise and implement projects relating to the Africa Programme and any other project within Africa on governance and democracy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East, the incumbent performs the following duties: * Supports the democratic reform agenda specifically, the constitutional reform process, the support to political participation and national reconciliation process in the Region; * Liaises and works with all relevant local, national and international governmental and non-governmental actors; * Provides periodic updates on the political developments in the region; * Liaises and networks with Member States and IDEA partner organisations in the field; * Participates and contributes to the Africa programme and team activities as well as to the institutional consolidation of International IDEA; * Advises the Regional Director for Africa and Middle East, on all matters pertaining to the democratisation process in Africa and to keep abreast of developments in the region; * Provides support to democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodology; * Actively integrates the inclusion of a gender perspective in all programming activities; * Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or any person designated by him/her.

Qualifications and skills

Level and type of formal education: * University degree in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.

Professional experience: * Minimum of five (5) years experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within election processes in one or several international organizations; * Relevant field experience in any one of International IDEA's focus regions Latin America, Africa, Asia or the Arab World preferably in the areas of elections, political parties, democracy and governance would be an asset.

Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Elections; * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.

Supervisory responsibilities: * Supervision and management of Assistant Programme Officers and consultants working in his/her programmes, and on occasion interns/fellows.

Language skills: * English: Fluent written and oral * Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Computer skills: * Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.

Criteria for Professional Performance

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change

2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

3. Lead by Example

4. Be a Model of Integrity

5. Celebrate Diversity

6. Be a Team Worker/Builder

7. Strive for Success and Excellence

8. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level VI Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the position of 'Programme Officer - Planning and Programming'

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Programme Officer, Planning and Programming

Main functions of the post:

* To participate in the planning, programming, implementing, coordination and evaluation of IDEA’s activities in Africa; * To contribute to the development of IDEA’s thematic work, design, implementation and evaluation of Africa Programme work plans according to IDEA regulations and procedures; * To compile reports, information and analysis on political trends and challenges pertaining to IDE’s work in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director of Africa and Middle East Programme, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Participates and contributes to the Africa Programme team tasks by providing input to the conceptualization, planning, implementation and evaluation activities to ensure the institutional consolidation of International IDEA;

2. Contributes to the design and implementation of Africa Programme work plans and budgets according to International IDEA procedures;

3. Assists in providing information for proposal preparations, budgeting and reporting as required;

4. Assists in the maintenance and development of relevant professional contacts and network of cooperation with those active in the field of democracy and governance assistance in Africa, including practitioners, policy makers, academics and the international community;

5. Liaises and works with all relevant local, national and international governmental and inter-governmental actors as requested;

6. Liaises and networks with Members States of partner organization of IDEA in the field as instructed;

7. Provides ideas and inputs into possible funding sources and funding approaches for agreed programme components within the Africa Programme;

8. Participates in fund raising activities and/or initiatives and/or negotiations where authorized in line with fund raising policies;

9. Actively integrates the gender perspective in planning and programming activities under her/his responsibility;

10. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or any person designated by her/him.

Qualifications and skills

Level and type of formal education: * University degree in Political Science, Law, Sociology, Human Rights, Development or other equivalent discipline.

Professional experience: * Minimum of five (5) years-experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within one or several inter-governmental or international organizations; * Relevant field experience in any one of International IDEA's focus regions Latin America, Africa, Asia or the Arab World preferably in the areas of elections, human rights, democracy and governance would be an asset;

Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of democracy and governance. * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Good negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (national, sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.

Supervisory responsibilities: * Occasional supervision of Assistanct Programme Officers, Research Assistants and/or Interns.

Language skills: * English: Fluent written and oral * Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Computer skills: * Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.

Criteria for Professional Performance

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change

2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

3. Lead by Example

4. Be a Model of Integrity

5. Celebrate Diversity

6. Be a Team Worker/Builder

7. Strive for Success and Excellence

8. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level VI Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the position of 'Programme Officer - Planning and Programming'

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Programme Officer, Planning and Programming

Main functions of the post:

* To participate in the planning, programming, implementing, coordination and evaluation of IDEA’s activities in Africa; * To contribute to the development of IDEA’s thematic work, design, implementation and evaluation of Africa Programme work plans according to IDEA regulations and procedures; * To compile reports, information and analysis on political trends and challenges pertaining to IDE’s work in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director of Africa and Middle East Programme, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Participates and contributes to the Africa Programme team tasks by providing input to the conceptualization, planning, implementation and evaluation activities to ensure the institutional consolidation of International IDEA;

2. Contributes to the design and implementation of Africa Programme work plans and budgets according to International IDEA procedures;

3. Assists in providing information for proposal preparations, budgeting and reporting as required;

4. Assists in the maintenance and development of relevant professional contacts and network of cooperation with those active in the field of democracy and governance assistance in Africa, including practitioners, policy makers, academics and the international community;

5. Liaises and works with all relevant local, national and international governmental and inter-governmental actors as requested;

6. Liaises and networks with Members States of partner organization of IDEA in the field as instructed;

7. Provides ideas and inputs into possible funding sources and funding approaches for agreed programme components within the Africa Programme;

8. Participates in fund raising activities and/or initiatives and/or negotiations where authorized in line with fund raising policies;

9. Actively integrates the gender perspective in planning and programming activities under her/his responsibility;

10. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or any person designated by her/him.

Qualifications and skills

Level and type of formal education: * University degree in Political Science, Law, Sociology, Human Rights, Development or other equivalent discipline.

Professional experience: * Minimum of five (5) years-experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within one or several inter-governmental or international organizations; * Relevant field experience in any one of International IDEA's focus regions Latin America, Africa, Asia or the Arab World preferably in the areas of elections, human rights, democracy and governance would be an asset;

Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of democracy and governance. * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Good negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (national, sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.

Supervisory responsibilities: * Occasional supervision of Assistanct Programme Officers, Research Assistants and/or Interns.

Language skills: * English: Fluent written and oral * Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Computer skills: * Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.

Criteria for Professional Performance

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change

2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

3. Lead by Example

4. Be a Model of Integrity

5. Celebrate Diversity

6. Be a Team Worker/Builder

7. Strive for Success and Excellence

8. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level VI Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the post of 'Senior Programme Officer - Democracy and Governance', to be based in South-Africa.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Senior Programme Officer, Democracy and Governance

Main functions of the post

The main functions of the post are:

1. To provide conceptual, strategic and research based leadership on governance and democracy challenges in Africa and the Middle East;

2. To draft policy papers, programme plans and other relevant documents;

3. To ensure that the Regional Director and AMEP retains leadership over IDEAS Africa and Middle East activities and initiatives and is able to retain its role as a premier technical advisor and partner in already established initiatives, such as the activities conducted in partnership with the African Union Commission and other regional organisations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Strategic conceptualisation of governance and democracy initiatives and programmes within Africa;

2. Leads processes for the development of IDEA’s overall strategic position in the region and ensures that all IDEA initiatives are within the framework of agreed approach;

3. Drafts strategic documents to ensure that IDEA is well positioned to lead efforts in democracy and governance within the region;

4. Initiates and manages research activities and programmes within IDEA and where relevant in partnership with regional, sub-regional and multilateral organisations within the region;

5. Prepares and drafts Policy perspectives and positions on all areas of work that fall within IDEAs portfolio of work;

6. Provides day to day advise on all strategic, conceptual and substantive issues that confront the IDEA Regional programme;

7. Attends meetings and other events to represent IDEA perspectives and position and ensures that IDEA reputation on democracy and governance support is maintained and strengthened;

8. Engages partners and Member States to ensure that IDEA work is responsive to needs and is able to attract support and resources;

9. Drafts presentations, speeches, letters and related documents as may be needed by the Regional Director or as per instruction;

10. Leads and organises research, seminars, workshops in Governance, Democracy and related areas within the strategic plan of IDEA;

11. Assists with the mobilisation of resources and develops reports and budgets where necessary and appropriate;

12. Develops reports on specific activities and drafts proposals as and when required by AMEP and as may be needed for its activities, e.g. JAP;

13. Liaises with all staff and IDEA offices as required by the Regional Director and on behalf of the Africa Programme;

14. Actively integrates a gender perspective in programming activities under his/her responsibility;

15. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East or any person designated by him/her.

Qualifications and skills

Level and type of formal education: * University degree (preferably at post graduate level) in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.

Professional experience: * Minimum of ten (10) years experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within one or several international organizations; * Relevant field experience in Africa (engaging with African Union Member States), preferably in the areas of democracy and governance would be an asset. * Experience in the Management of large and complex programmes and /or research initiatives in governance and democracy.

Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Ability to work with complex multilateral organisations and partner organisations in difficult and turbulent environment; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Democracy and Governance; * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.

Supervisory responsibilities: * Supervision and management of Programme Officers and/or Assistant Programme Officers working in his/her programmes, and on occasion interns/fellows.

Language skills: * English and French: Fluent written and oral * Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Computer skills: * Knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.

Criteria for Professional Performance

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities both at Headquarters and in the field and, as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change

2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

3. Lead by Example

4. Be a Decision Maker

5. Be a Model of Integrity

6. Celebrate Diversity

7. Be a Team Worker/Builder

8. Strive for Success and Excellence

9. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level IV Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA is currently advertising the post of 'Senior Programme Officer - Democracy and Governance', to be based in South-Africa.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policy makers, governments, UN organizations and agencies and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are: electoral processes, political parties, constitution-building processes, democracy and gender and democracy assessments. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in Brussels, New York, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Senior Programme Officer, Democracy and Governance

Main functions of the post

The main functions of the post are:

1. To provide conceptual, strategic and research based leadership on governance and democracy challenges in Africa and the Middle East;

2. To draft policy papers, programme plans and other relevant documents;

3. To ensure that the Regional Director and AMEP retains leadership over IDEAS Africa and Middle East activities and initiatives and is able to retain its role as a premier technical advisor and partner in already established initiatives, such as the activities conducted in partnership with the African Union Commission and other regional organisations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the immediate supervision of the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Strategic conceptualisation of governance and democracy initiatives and programmes within Africa;

2. Leads processes for the development of IDEA’s overall strategic position in the region and ensures that all IDEA initiatives are within the framework of agreed approach;

3. Drafts strategic documents to ensure that IDEA is well positioned to lead efforts in democracy and governance within the region;

4. Initiates and manages research activities and programmes within IDEA and where relevant in partnership with regional, sub-regional and multilateral organisations within the region;

5. Prepares and drafts Policy perspectives and positions on all areas of work that fall within IDEAs portfolio of work;

6. Provides day to day advise on all strategic, conceptual and substantive issues that confront the IDEA Regional programme;

7. Attends meetings and other events to represent IDEA perspectives and position and ensures that IDEA reputation on democracy and governance support is maintained and strengthened;

8. Engages partners and Member States to ensure that IDEA work is responsive to needs and is able to attract support and resources;

9. Drafts presentations, speeches, letters and related documents as may be needed by the Regional Director or as per instruction;

10. Leads and organises research, seminars, workshops in Governance, Democracy and related areas within the strategic plan of IDEA;

11. Assists with the mobilisation of resources and develops reports and budgets where necessary and appropriate;

12. Develops reports on specific activities and drafts proposals as and when required by AMEP and as may be needed for its activities, e.g. JAP;

13. Liaises with all staff and IDEA offices as required by the Regional Director and on behalf of the Africa Programme;

14. Actively integrates a gender perspective in programming activities under his/her responsibility;

15. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East or any person designated by him/her.

Qualifications and skills

Level and type of formal education: * University degree (preferably at post graduate level) in Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development or equivalent.

Professional experience: * Minimum of ten (10) years experience working within the field of democracy support or governance and preferably within one or several international organizations; * Relevant field experience in Africa (engaging with African Union Member States), preferably in the areas of democracy and governance would be an asset. * Experience in the Management of large and complex programmes and /or research initiatives in governance and democracy.

Functional competencies: * Good level of political maturity, personal initiative and creativity; * Ability to work with complex multilateral organisations and partner organisations in difficult and turbulent environment; * Possess knowledge of major international trends and development in the field of Democracy and Governance; * Ability to relate to and influence senior policy makers, Member States’ representatives etc; * Excellent analytical, drafting and problem solving skills; * Good organisational skills and efficiency-driven perspective; * Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences; * Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication; * Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills. * Ability to provide inputs for conceptualising strategies and designing programmes of work; * Relevant working knowledge of democracy and governance assessment and measurement tools and methodologies; * Ability to build and maintain broad networks of partners; * Ability to work both independently, with minimum supervision and in teams; * Excellent interpersonal skills; * High analytical capacity; * Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be Gender-sensitive.

Work relationships: * Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment; * Ongoing collaborative contact with International IDEA offices (sub regional, regional and HQ); * Liaises with partners and donors and coordinates fundraising proposals, budgets and contracts.

Supervisory responsibilities: * Supervision and management of Programme Officers and/or Assistant Programme Officers working in his/her programmes, and on occasion interns/fellows.

Language skills: * English and French: Fluent written and oral * Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.

Computer skills: * Knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases, internet and web search tools.

Criteria for Professional Performance

The incumbent of this post is expected to act according to a set of principles when carrying out her/his responsibilities both at Headquarters and in the field and, as appropriate to their role, display the following characteristics:

1. Be a Facilitator of Change

2. Get Results/ Be Accountable and Proactive

3. Lead by Example

4. Be a Decision Maker

5. Be a Model of Integrity

6. Celebrate Diversity

7. Be a Team Worker/Builder

8. Strive for Success and Excellence

9. Plan and Organize Terms of Contract: Level IV Post. Two (2) Year Fixed Term Appointment.

Deadline for Applications: Applications should be submitted no later than 16 January 2011.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.

We join with the millions of women and men, community groups, women’s rights networks, government partners, parliamentarians, health workers and teachers who have made 25 November – the International Day to End Violence against Women ­– a day to come together and renew our common commitment to ending the global pandemic of violence against women.

Worldwide women and girls continue to suffer violence inside and outside of their homes, often at the hands intimate partners or persons of trust. Gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence has also become a troubling and persistent feature in situations of armed conflict. Stopping violations of women’s human rights is a moral imperative and one which we must come together to combat. The impact of such a scourge on society – psychological, physical, and economic – cannot be overstated. Addressing this persistent violation can also reverse the economic impact of significantly lower productivity and higher health care costs – funds drained away on a preventable problem. The Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women has given new impetus to efforts to end violence against women. More than 130 countries now have laws against domestic violence, but more needs to be done to enforce them and counter impunity. More men and men’s organization are joining in the campaign to end violence against women and girls but we need to combat attitudes and behaviours that permit or even encourage this violence. We need services so that the millions of women and girls who survive abuse every year can recover and secure justice. We must hold perpetrators to account. We must intensify prevention efforts, so that someday we will no longer need to meet on 25 November and call for ending violence against women. Joining in the efforts to stop violence is everybody’s responsibility. Governments, private enterprises, civil society groups, communities and individual citizens can all make essential contributions. Men and boys must be active in encouraging respect for women and zero tolerance for violence. Cultural and religious leaders can send clear messages about the value of a world free of violence against women. As we come together to end violence, a core part of our responsibility must be providing enough resources. So far, this investment has been inadequate. Last year, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women met only 3 percent of the requests it received for programmes vital to progress. The fund has a US $100 million annual funding goal that we can all strive to reach. These funds will go to governments, civil society groups and UN Agencies at the forefront of advocacy and innovation to end violence against women and girls. Step by step, we can work together towards the day when all women live free from violence, and realize their full potential as powerful agents for thriving, peaceful societies.

We join with the millions of women and men, community groups, women’s rights networks, government partners, parliamentarians, health workers and teachers who have made 25 November – the International Day to End Violence against Women ­– a day to come together and renew our common commitment to ending the global pandemic of violence against women.

Worldwide women and girls continue to suffer violence inside and outside of their homes, often at the hands intimate partners or persons of trust. Gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence has also become a troubling and persistent feature in situations of armed conflict. Stopping violations of women’s human rights is a moral imperative and one which we must come together to combat. The impact of such a scourge on society – psychological, physical, and economic – cannot be overstated. Addressing this persistent violation can also reverse the economic impact of significantly lower productivity and higher health care costs – funds drained away on a preventable problem. The Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women has given new impetus to efforts to end violence against women. More than 130 countries now have laws against domestic violence, but more needs to be done to enforce them and counter impunity. More men and men’s organization are joining in the campaign to end violence against women and girls but we need to combat attitudes and behaviours that permit or even encourage this violence. We need services so that the millions of women and girls who survive abuse every year can recover and secure justice. We must hold perpetrators to account. We must intensify prevention efforts, so that someday we will no longer need to meet on 25 November and call for ending violence against women. Joining in the efforts to stop violence is everybody’s responsibility. Governments, private enterprises, civil society groups, communities and individual citizens can all make essential contributions. Men and boys must be active in encouraging respect for women and zero tolerance for violence. Cultural and religious leaders can send clear messages about the value of a world free of violence against women. As we come together to end violence, a core part of our responsibility must be providing enough resources. So far, this investment has been inadequate. Last year, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women met only 3 percent of the requests it received for programmes vital to progress. The fund has a US $100 million annual funding goal that we can all strive to reach. These funds will go to governments, civil society groups and UN Agencies at the forefront of advocacy and innovation to end violence against women and girls. Step by step, we can work together towards the day when all women live free from violence, and realize their full potential as powerful agents for thriving, peaceful societies.

As cities grow, stopping threats to women and girls must be central to municipal development and safety. Cities that are safe for women and girls are safe for all.

New Delhi — UNIFEM (part of UN Women) today is launching its innovative Safe Cities programme in five cities around the world. Each will test new strategies to stop epidemic rates of violence against women and girls in urban areas. An unprecedented 3.4 billion people now live in cities worldwide. Crime rates are high, but municipal development and safety plans frequently overlook specific threats to women and girls. The Global Safe Cities Free of Violence Against Women and Girls Programme is the first cross-regional initiative dedicated to making cities safer for them, while improving the quality of life for all city dwellers. “Every day, women and adolescent girls face sexual harassment and violence as they go about their daily routines — whether on city streets, on buses and trains, or in their own neighbourhoods,” said UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi. “This limits their freedom and rights to education, work, recreation and participation in political life.” Alberdi introduced the Safe Cities programme at the Third International Conference on Women’s Safety, which opened here today. She emphasized that violence against women in private domains such as the home is increasingly recognized as a human rights violation. But violence against women in public spaces remains a largely neglected issue. The Safe Cities programme will focus on slum areas and the poorest urban dwellers in Quito (Ecuador), Cairo (Egypt), New Delhi (India), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) and Kigali (Rwanda). Each city will contribute to developing a comprehensive model for stopping the diverse forms of violence against women and girls. The model will be offered for adaptation by other cities around the world. Separate launches of the programme will take place in each city. As an initial show of support for stopping sexual harassment and violence in public spaces, thousands of people today gathered at the five launch sites to light candles symbolizing the end of impunity. All five cities have strong support from local authorities, the potential for far-reaching engagement of civil society groups, and partnerships with agencies involved in ending gender-based violence, community safety, urban planning and development. They have committed to rigorous evaluations to demonstrate what works best. Potential measures may include stronger laws and policies against violence in public spaces; training for urban planners, grass-roots women’s groups and police; special audits to identify unsafe areas; mass media campaigns on “zero tolerance” for violence against women; activities to engage local communities, men and adolescents of both sexes; and reviews of public sector budgets so that adequate resources are spent on making public areas safe for women and girls. Collecting reliable data will be an important aspect of the Safe Cities programme, because the current lack of reliable and specific information on violence against women and girls in public space hides the problem and hampers the development of solutions. The Safe Cities programme was inspired by a successful UNIFEM initiative in Latin America, which began with an experimental grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women in 2004. Projects in seven countries subsequently raised a much higher level of awareness of urban violence against women and girls, and generated knowledge on how to stop it. This has encouraged municipalities to take actions such as improving lighting on streets and designing new municipal safety plans that focus on women and girls. Globally, the Safe Cities programme contributes to the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign and the Millennium Development Goals on gender equality and the rights of over 900 million slum dwellers. For media enquiries or interviews please contact: * In New Delhi: Nuria Felipe, UNIFEM press officer, nuria.felipesoria@unifem.org * In New York: Gretchen Luchsinger, +1 212 906-6506 gretchen.luchsinger@unifem.org