[Hiring] Consultant - Retreat Facilitator @UNDP

Role Description

UN Women South Africa Country Office seeks to hire an experienced consultant to support the objectives of the planned staff retreat through well-structured discussions and engaging activities. Reporting to the UN Women Country Representative with dotted line supervisory to the Deputy Representative and Operations Manager South Africa Country Office, the retreat consultant will deliver on the following objectives:

• Strengthen team building spirit and foster bonds across teams for a more coordinated, peaceful, and productive working culture.
• Define major priorities and activities for the period 2026-2027.
• Use tools that promote understanding, motivation, and teamwork to effectively meet targets.
• Examine SACO strengths, challenges, best practices, and takeaways from prior years to identify areas for improvement.
• Support constructive dialogue on vision, priorities, systems, and dynamics shaping UN Women’s work.
• Identify and discuss challenges and opportunities for the Country Office.
• Ensure an inclusive process and full ownership of the retreat agenda and outcomes.
• Explore new ideas and innovative approaches to strengthen accountability and enhance office performance and efficiency.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Management in South Africa Country Office, the retreat facilitator is expected to:

• Facilitate and moderate engaging, participatory sessions in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Help staff reflect on previous joint discussions and forge strategies for the upcoming year.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Finalize the methodology and agenda incorporating feedback from previous retreats.
• Facilitate and moderate key sessions, ensuring maximum participation and achievement of objectives.
• Conduct team building activities and daily reflections highlighting key discussions.
• Produce retreat reports summarizing daily deliberations and key action points.
• Clarify expectations regarding participant feedback, self-assessment, and post-retreat evaluations.
• Foster a positive and inclusive environment.

Deliverables

• Develop retreat agenda and team building plan facilitation methodology (10 days, 50%).
• Facilitate and moderate retreat sessions and summarize key deliberations (10 days).
• Provide a final report outlining key discussions, action points, and recommendations (10 days, 50%).

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. Facilitator required for a 1-day retreat session in November 2026, with travel to the retreat location.

Competencies

• Core Values:
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Respect for Diversity
• Core Competencies:
  • Aware and sensitive regarding gender issues
  • Accountability
  • Creative problem solving
  • Effective communication
  • Inclusive collaboration
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Leading by example
• Functional Competencies:
  • Team building skills for staff, including senior management level teams
  • Ability to produce clear reports and guidance with in-depth analysis
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Education and Certification:
  • Master’s in international development, Human Rights, Law, or related field with expertise in Gender and Governance.
  • A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Experience:
  • At least 5 years of experience in facilitating retreats, team-building, and leadership workshops.
  • Demonstrable experience in facilitating group discussions, workshops, or meetings.
  • Experience in organizational development, strategy, leadership, or change management.
  • Experience in building and maintaining relationships with clients or stakeholders.
  • Strong understanding of policy and legal frameworks on gender equality and human rights.
  • Experience in reporting and analytical skills.
• Languages:
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.