Gender Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 146,462 USD and 188,832 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was created in 2010 to strengthen the United Nations’ interaction with the African Union. UNOAU is mandated to contribute to enhancing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent United Nations advice to the African Union on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the United Nations presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering United Nations assistance to the African Union. UNOAU plays a key role in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed by the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 19 April 2017.

The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) was established in 2018. Its overall objective is to work closely with and support all the countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in line with the Joint Framework for Cooperation between the United Nations and IGAD signed in Djibouti on 17 November 2015 and other regional organizations, including the AU in promoting peace and security across the Horn of Africa. This primarily involves enhancing sub-regional conflict prevention and mediation capacities and addressing cross-cutting issues.

This position is in the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Gender Affairs Officer reports to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) through the Chief of Staff (COS). The incumbent, through the Principal Political Affairs Officer, will also support the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as described above. The Gender Affairs Officer will work closely with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) to advance gender-responsive implementation of the UNOAU and OSE-HoA mandates.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following tasks pertaining to three distinct, but interconnected portfolios. Time spent on each area is indicative:

1. Within UNOAU (50%) • Provide advisory support to the AU, particularly in terms of best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, the DPO/DOS Policy on Gender Responsive United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and DPPA Gender/Women, Peace, and Security Policy and update DPPS WPS Policy (2023). • Provide technical assistance to the AU on strategies for gender mainstreaming, including options to strengthen the capacity to perform gender analysis, design and implement gender- sensitive policies and programmes and the area of peace and security; • Contribute to joint UN-AU efforts to advance women's rights and enhance the role and participation of women in early warning, conflict prevention, mediation, peace negotiations, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development; • Support gender-related knowledge management and data collection within the AU and facilitate the exchange of information on gender policy between the UN and the AU; • Collaborate with the AU and support the delivery of gender training to uniformed and civilian personnel and conduct orientation activities on gender mainstreaming as required by the AU.

2. Within OSE-HoA (30%) • Provide operational support on gender and women, peace and security issues to the OSE- HoA team, including expanding the capacity for gender analysis; designing gender-sensitive strategies and action plans; and providing substantive and technical support on the women, peace and security related aspects of the mediation processes supported by OSE-HoA. • Collaborate with local and international CSOs and NGOs working on women, peace and security agenda in the Horn of Africa. • Maintain collaborative relations with the AU and IGAD and support their efforts to advance women's participation in the peace processes in Sudan and South Sudan.

3. Cross-cutting aspects (20%) • Advise senior UNOAU and OSE-HoA leadership on strategies to ensure effective implementation of existing mandates and policies for the promotion of gender equality, women's rights and prevention of sexual violence in all mandated tasks. • Mainstream Gender Women Peace and Security in the design and implementation of action plans to translate existing mandates and policies on the promotion of gender equality in all activities of UNOAU and OSE-HoA; • Build and maintain partnerships with other UN entities that have complementary mandates on gender and women, peace and security related issues, and participate in established inter- agency coordination mechanisms. • Lead in the drafting of reporting obligations, documentation and good practices, the preparation of policy papers, and related submissions for UNOAU and OSE-HoA personnel on Gender, Women, Peace and Security, mainstreaming. • Ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout strategic planning processes and supports the results-based reporting processes for the regular budget, support account and XB funding. • Support the delivery of gender training to UNOAU and OSE-HoA personnel. • Ensure regular liaison, consultation and substantive reporting to the DPPA Gender, Peace and Security Unit and the DPO Gender Advisor at UN headquarters; • Perform other duties as required.

4. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge in the areas of gender and peacekeeping or gender conflict/post-conflict environments. Ability to prepare well written analytical reports. In-depth understanding of UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security; excellent drafting, monitoring and reporting skills. Ability to formulate policy advice, position papers and reports for the attention of senior managers. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to gender issues. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Gender Affairs, Political or Social Sciences, Human Rights Law, International Law, Development Studies, or a relevant discipline is required.

A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible policy advice and programme management experience related to promotion of gender equality particularly with international organizations in conflict or post-conflict settings is required.

Experience in successfully integrating gender perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable.

Experience working on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Africa is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in English, both oral and written is required; Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

•The appointment against this position is limited to the UNOAU. •This position is temporarily available until 31 March 2024. Further extension is subject to post availability and funding. •If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. •While this temporary job opening may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. •Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. •This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. •Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. •Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. •At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. •The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. •Education qualification exceeding the specified requirement of this job opening including university degrees and certificates shall not give rise to additional entitlements or benefits, or facilitate a move to the Professional category. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.