GBV/Gender Programme 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.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF’s Programme in Italy was set up in 2016 to respond to a large influx of unaccompanied minors arriving primarily through the Central Mediterranean route.

Since the beginning of the migrant and refugee influx, UNICEF is responding to the unique needs of children and women who are seeking asylum in Europe, on the move, stranded or pushed back. In Italy, a two-pronged approach combines humanitarian service delivery with capacity building, policy reform and technical assistance on child protection and gender-based violence (GBV), with partner organizations and governments. UNICEF uses both partner centers and programme bases as well as mobile outreach to identify and refer at-risk boys and girls, particularly unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), to relevant services, including psychosocial assistance. UNICEF also focuses on providing alternative care to UASC, guarantee international standards in reception system, support the guardianship system, protect the most vulnerable and invisible children outside the formal protection system and promote the participation of adolescent boys and girls in all the decisions concerning them.

GBV Programme is one of the key pillars of UNICEF Response that focuses on the provision of critical life-saving services and information to enhance the range and accessibility of GBV prevention, mitigation and response services for refugee and migrant women and girls in Italy, through a multi-sectoral approach. In the context of the Ukrainian crisis the percentage of women and grils arriving spiked. Considering specific needs of women and girls additional efforts are been put in place.

UNICEF-supported interventions in Italy continue to focus on strengthening the protection system through knowledge generation, evidence-based advocacy and the capacity development of frontline workers, working closely with ministries, universities, civil society organizations and more. This approach is based on UNICEF’s GBViE Theory of Change, which aims to support better access to quality services, decrease the likelihood of GBV, and address the root causes of GBV through policy and legal reform.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of GBV/Gender Programme Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV GBV/Gender Programme Officer will support the overall GBV programme, contributing to overall protection system strengthening. Three streams of work are linked to UNICEF’s GBV programming: supporting survivors with access to a comprehensive set of services, mitigating the risk of GBV across environments including by empowering women and girls, preventing GBV by addressing its underlying conditions and drivers, engaging with government and relevant ministries:

Technical Support: • Support operational capacity development efforts and provide technical support on gender mainstreaming in all programmes; • Act as a gender focal of the UNICEF outpost team in Italy in coordination with the regional office; • Provide support in the organization of online and in-person GBV training sessions, workshops and other meetings as required; • Assist in the development of concept notes, advocacy papers, letters presentations and other background documents, as required; • Assist in building strategic alliances with other key actors internally and externally to advocate for gender-sensitive programming; • Provide support to the overall implementation of the GBV program with other tasks, as needed.

Coordination: • Assist in UN inter-agency coordination including monitoring and updating joint action-plans; • Support the organization of meetings, conferences and webinars; • Assist in preparing background material and taking minutes, as needed; • Participate in the global and regional gender and GBV networks and coordination groups as needed; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Technical support: o Support with training development and delivery; o Develop concept notes, advocacy papers, letters presentations and other background documents; o Advocate and coordinate gender mainstreaming initiatives, internally and externally. Coordination initiatives: o Coordinate, organize and attend the UN inter-agency GBV meeting. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

UNICEF Core Values: • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability

UNICEF Core Competencies: • Nurtures, Leads and Manages People; • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness; • Works Collaboratively with others; • Builds and Maintains Partnerships; • Innovates and Embraces Change; • Thinks and Acts Strategically; • Drives to achieve impactful results; • Manages ambiguity and complexity.

the national and/or international level in the area of GBV, gender or other relevant programmes; experience with UNICECF is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Knowledge and experience on GBV and gender; • Familiarity with the Italian protection and reception system for migrants and refugees; • 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; • Desirable: Experience with UNICEF or other UN Agencies; • Desirable: Familiar with UNICEF’s GBViE frameworks; • Desirable: Previous experience in Child Protection programming; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in GBV/GBViE/Child Protection volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Rome is the capital of the Italian Republic with a population of 4.3 mln. As the capital of Italy, Rome hosts all the principal institutions of the nation, including the Presidency of the Republic, the government, the Parliament, the main judicial Courts, and the diplomatic representatives of all the countries for the states of Italy and Vatican City. Many international institutions are located in Rome, notably cultural and scientific ones, such as the American Institute, the British School, the French Academy, the Scandinavian Institutes, and the German Archaeological Institute. There are also specialised agencies of the United Nations, such as the FAO. Rome also hosts major international and worldwide political and cultural organisations, such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP), the NATO Defense College and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).

The security situation in Italy remains calm and stable. Regionally, terrorism is a concern, but there is NO direct threat towards UN in Italy. Vigilance and awareness are recommended. Crime is not specifically targeted at UN staff, but opportunistic thefts are the most reported incidents impacting UN staff and dependents. Travelers should exercise normal precautions to avoid being pickpocketed. The state of emergency in relation to COVID-19 declared by Italian authorities in early 2020 ended in March 2022.

Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Rome: standalone houses, houses in gated compounds, apartments. These could be furnished and/or fully serviced, or unfurnished.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): EUR 3093 Entry lump sum (onetime payment) USD: 400 Travel Ticket when moving to duty station USD: 200 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): EUR 257.75 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance Leave entitlements Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days