The Commonwealth Secretariat seeks to engage a suitable consultant for the position of Ocean Gender Outreach Assistant (OGOA).

Location: Home-Based
Fee: £10,000 (paid in 6x monthly instalments)
Duration: 1 June – 30 November 2023 (approx. 6 months)
Closing date: 17:00 BST, 19 May 2023

The consultant will develop and implement the Commonwealth gender engagement strategies and structures under the activities of the Commonwealth Blue Charter, as well as building synergies with other related Commonwealth initiatives on gender (and youth e.g. Commonwealth Youth Awards and the 13 Commonwealth Youth Networks).

In short, the OGOA will build bridges between the activities of the Commonwealth Blue Charter and the Commonwealth Gender and Youth programmes, and develop strong stakeholder relationships with member governments, Action Groups and other international stakeholders. There will be possible engagement with relevant stakeholders around international events such as the UN Oceans Conference, UNFCCC COP, etc.

The OGOA will be expected to:

  • Support increased engagement of Commonwealth women leaders and ocean-related professionals, as well as young women, in the implementation of the Commonwealth Blue Charter and related ocean events;
  • Develop a contact list of women activists, including young women, women scientists, and elders, working on Ocean issues;
  • Identify gender issues with regard to ocean sectors to assist in the development of a ‘tool kit’ to guide Blue Charter Action Groups and members in achieving gender equity.
  • Establish and support the start-up and convening of a dedicated working group for young women interested in the Ocean to convene and collaborate under the CYCN;
  • Working with the Gender and Youth teams, support the capacity building of the CYCN to engage young women on ocean-related issues and the sustainability of the established working group;
  • Working with the Blue Charter team and the recently recruited Ocean Youth Outreach Assistant (OYOA) to establish a system of recruiting and encouraging participation of at least 1 youth representative for each of the CBC Action Groups, while ensuring gender balance;
  • Working with the Youth team, support selection and recruitment of CBC Youth Working Group representatives, ensuring gender balance, and facilitate their engagement with the CYCN though webinars and international events such as the UNFCCC COP28;
  • Working with the Blue Charter team, support gender-focused advocacy and communications activities on the CBC including through coordination of social media posts, webinars and other activities;
  • Attend and support relevant ocean- and gender-related meetings on behalf of the Secretariat and provide reports on meetings;
  • Maintain close regular communication with the assigned staff(s) from the Blue Charter, Gender team (and Youth team for youth-related aspects. This includes ensuring regular updates, and the sharing of Blue Charter work to Commonwealth Youth including CYCN and vice versa via CYP, and Blue Charter’s communication pathways; and
  • Perform any other related duties as may be required from time to time.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to be:

  • Aged between 18 to 29 years at the time of application;
  • A citizen of a Commonwealth member country;
  • Committed to Commonwealth values and the Blue Charter’s aims;
  • Passionate about gender equality, the ocean and sustainability;
  • Able to commit on average 16 hours per week between June and November 2023 to this role;
  • Experienced in gender equality and women’s empowerment, youth engagement, outreach and communication strategy and implementation.

Education

  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant topic (e.g. environmental sciences / management, sustainability, international development, marine biology, or maritime law) is strongly preferred, though real-world experience will also be taken into account.
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) in English is required. Fluency in additional languages is an asset.

Please apply for this contract by submitting a Proposal, CV and a concise cover letter (1-2 pages) to [email protected]  by 19 May 2023.  

The brief proposal (3 pages maximum) should show how the consultancy would be carried out to meet the specific objectives set out in this TOR. It should include a short statement of the candidate’s relevant expertise and experience. 

Evaluation will be based on competency. Where submissions are similar in quality, preference will be given to Contractors that are Commonwealth citizens.

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