Diversity and Inclusion Officer (Gender)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-8 contracts.

Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan Established in 1995, UNOPS has been working in Afghanistan to build better lives for girls, boys, men and women living in the country. By offering efficient, professional, and agile services, UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) supports partners' contribution to the humanitarian response and development of the country.

Prior to August 2021, UNOPS AFCO was implementing projects in a range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building to ministries, and environmental protection, among others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community.

Today, in response to the increased humanitarian needs and partner requests, the UNOPS AFCO portfolio supports humanitarian initiatives and basic human needs, including managing cash for work projects, supporting humanitarian actors, procuring emergency supplies, and administering inter-agency communications and accountability centre for all humanitarian actors in the country.

Background Information - Job-specific

Project Information

The project was established due to the significant, ongoing drought exacerbating water access issues which has created an emergency situation in rural areas across southern and central Afghanistan. Inadequate availability of efficient irrigation contributes to the food insecurity crisis. The project objective is to improve access to the quality of water supply and surface water irrigation services in selected rural and drought affected areas and regions.

The project will finance the provision of off-grid solar systems and, where applicable, emergency energy efficient equipment to support surface water irrigation in the selected areas. This will include installation of solar pump systems, and battery systems in high priority areas. These solar water pump systems will be installed to supply for irrigation to meet the needs of farmers pumping the surface water in identified rural areas. Solar pumps used for irrigation purposes will only pump surface water from rivers that have permanent water bodies and not from seasonal rivers.

Job-Specific Information

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager and also UNOPS Afghansitan Diversity and Inclusion Specialist the Diversity and Inclusion Associate (Gender) supports the Project in a) ensuring the project design and implementation follows a ‘principled’ approach that includes women as service providers and beneficiaries of the project, including working with the FPs and PIU to ensure community women are meaningfully engaged per the project design; b) supporting the implementation of project components on any relevant gender and social inclusion aspects and risk mitigation; c) working with the PIU and TPMA to regularly monitor the ECA and other gender and inclusion indicators per the Operations Manual; d) developing the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation/Sexual Harrassment (PSEA/SH) Action Plan and supervision to ensure the plan is implemented in accordance with the agreed timeline.. He/She provides support on training and awareness, data analytics and monitoring of gender-related policies. The Diversity and Inclusion Senior Associate (Gender) will be required to travel across all project sites.

Functional Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support the project in the implementation of the Gender and Diversity focused guidelines specific to the project and its stakeholders, based on the project’s legal framework, project development objectives and Results Framework indicators, its Operations and Training Manuals.
• Support all Project components in all aspects of gender equality and social inclusion.
• Making sure FPs hire and retain adequate numbers of female staff and that FPs follow the UNCT Mahram policy that accounts for additional costs of women working (transport, Mahram costs, etc. Support the Project in the promotion, incentivizing and evaluation of the inclusion and participation of women in the communities in project activities, as beneficiaries and workers.
• Support the process of assessing community compliance with the ECA, and of monitoring and reporting on continued adherence. Verify FP and TPMA reports of women’s participation with spot checks in the field.
• Ensure that FPs regularly consult with female staff and with community women to understand if they feel safe participating in the project activities and work with the FPs to develop strategies that help minimize any risks to women workers and beneficiaries;Ensure that the overall training materials of the project are gender-sensitive and contextualized for project coverage areas. Support the project in gender-focused training for the Project Team and the Private Energy Service Companies (PESC)s.
• Provide transactional support in training management and all project personnel and PESCs key personnel in the project’s gender and diversity norms.
• Ensure all project workers have been sensitized to and have signed a code of conduct that prohibits SEA/SH and that communities know how and where to report SEA/SH grievances.
• Support the project to collect, compile, analyze and report on the gender-disaggregated data on the inclusion of women, physically or mentally challenged persons, IDP/returnee, very elderly and other most vulnerable groups in the project beneficiary selection and project benefits. Input to FP and TPMA monitoring protocols and guidelines to ensure that gender and inclusion data is collected and that indicators are appropriately monitored.
• Closely monitor and inform the Management on policies/procedures/guidelines/laws issued by the de-facto authorities at central and field levels that could impact on the participation of women and other marginalized groups in project activities.
• Advise the design of the project GRM, including in-person, accessible complaint uptake channels for women and girls. Ensure appropriate protocols and mechanisms are in-place for addressing SEA/SH grievances and serve as a permanent member of the grievance redressal committee related to gender-based violence or sexual harassment.
• Assist the project in the implementation and compliance with the Project’s SEA/SH Action Plan, in accordance with the agreed timeline and budget.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in Sociology, Development Studies, Gender or other social science is required.
• Specific gender-focused training by the UN, World Bank or international non-governmental (INGOs) organizations is an asset.
• Training in PSEA and demonstration of understanding of the basic tenants of the PSEA framework is an asset.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in gender, women’s empowerment and/or diversity management.
• Experience working with the World Bank, UN agencies or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is valued.

C. Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English is required.
• Fluency in Pashto and/or Dari is required.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

This VA is open only for Afghan nationals under CTG contract modality not UNOPS ICA.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.