Associate Gender Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of UNEP’s Gender and Safeguards Unit (GSU) under the Policy and Programme Division (PPD), and in particular the gender part of the unit. The GSU has a mandate reaching across all of UNEP regarding mainstreaming gender into UNEP’s programmes and operations. The guiding document for gender mainstreaming within the organization is the Policy and Strategy for Gender Equality and the Environment, which sets out detailed activities leading towards the full integration of gender aspects within the organization and its programmes. Gender mainstreaming occurs at two distinct levels, the programme and the organizational.

The GSU leads the organization in responding to UN-system wide gender equality mandates as outlined by the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the Beijing Declaration and other universally agreed policy frameworks and commitments related to gender. As UNEP is the leading agency for environment within the UN system, the GSU ensures that UNEP sets the pace for gender integration in environmental matters, simultaneously taking into consideration socio-economic factors, thus paving way for other bodies and governments to adopt similar gender mainstreaming efforts to ensure sustainable outcomes and lasting impact.

The GSU also leads UNEP’s safeguards work, which involves the design and implementation of the Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework - ESSF (Safeguards Policy) with the overall objective of strengthening the organization’s commitment to mainstreaming environmental and social safeguard sustainability within its Policy, Programme and Projects. Although it is good to be familiar with the GSU’s work on safeguards, it’s beyond the scope of this UNV assignment.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Management Officer or her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Associate Gender Officer will:

· Support the Internal Gender Taskforce and the implementation of the recommendations of the evaluation of the first Gender Policy and Strategy · Conduct research as input to interventions to be carried out by the Gender Unit · Support gender mainstreaming capacity building initiatives · Carry out project and publication reviews · Support the knowledge sharing and communication with and networking of the Gender Focal Points · Collect information for UN-SWAP reporting · Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). · Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. · Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. · Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. · Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. · Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

· Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNEP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures, ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially, responsive and client oriented. · Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. · Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; · Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. · Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. · Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; · Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. · Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNEP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

gender equality and the empowerment of women, environmental science or sustainable development or other relevant programmes; experience with a gender-related entity is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. · Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. · Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. · Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. · Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. · Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

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