Chair of Oversight Group on Ireland's Fourth National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) 2025-2030

Ireland’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda promotes positive peace, supported by inclusive, gender-transformative governance in conflict and post-conflict regions, reduced gender-based violence (GBV), and improved outcomes for women and girls, both in Ireland and internationally.

Ireland’s Fourth National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS highlights the interconnected nature of the four WPS agenda pillars—prevention, participation, protection, and relief and recovery—by focusing on four high-level objectives with concrete actions, impacts, and outcomes.

The Plan calls for an Oversight Group to be ‘appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to oversee the delivery and review of progress of the National Action Plan’.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking expressions of interest for a Chair of the WPS NAP Oversight Group for the period 2025-2030.

The Chair of the Oversight Group will be a person appropriately qualified and independent, and will be appointed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The role of the Independent Chair is to lead, direct, and facilitate the work of the Oversight Group. The Guiding Principles of the oversight group are:

• Commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
• Partnership and collective responsibility
• Mutual respect and co-operation across sectors and organisations
• Effectiveness and efficiency
• Flexibility and integration of learning

The Oversight Group is an active, task-oriented group and meets formally four times a year. The Oversight Group will be comprised as follows:

• Experts from civil society organisations with experience relevant to the following areas: achieving the objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions; working with or representing women and men affected by conflict in Ireland and internationally; migrant women affected by conflict; women living with disabilities and women who have experienced conflict-related gender-based violence
• Academics and other independent experts based in Ireland with demonstrable relevant experience of Women, Peace and Security issues, policy and UN obligations, and
• Representatives of Government Departments, Units and Agencies responsible for implementation of the Plan.

Appointees to the Oversight Group will advise the Department in an external capacity, and will not be deemed to be employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The role is not salaried and does not have pension entitlements.

The Independent Chair may be compensated for expenses incurred in the execution of their duties in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines.

Individuals with a potential conflict of interest should declare this in the application cover letter.

Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified persons with relevant expertise:

• At least 15 years of previous professional experience in the sphere of women, peace and security which can include journalism, academia, politics or other relevant experience
• Evidenced knowledge and understanding of the political landscape
• Evidenced understanding of major geo-political developments and the changing nature of Ireland’s role in the world
• A proven track record in a relevant field of expertise.

The Department endeavours to establish a panel that reflects a broad range of relevant skills and expertise and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity. Applications are welcome from candidates identifying with minority communities and those with a broad variety of backgrounds and experiences.

An expression of interest should include:

1. Cover letter (2 pages maximum) outlining suitability and relevant experience for the role in line with the eligibility criteria listed above, as well as any potential conflict of interest
2. Detailed CV.

Applications should be sent to PeaceAndStabilityUnit@dfa.ie by close of business 31 July 2025.

Find draft terms of reference of the Oversight Group below: