Gender and Development Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Approximately 80% of the initiatives in the current programme cycle are either directly or indirectly linked to climate action, environmental management and resilience. Some of these include, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by supporting Guyana’s forest peoples, the Indigenous Peoples, in access to sustainable livelihood opportunities (US$10.5 mln) and land rights (US$5.9 mln); framework for mainstreaming biodiversity in gold-mining (US$4.5 mln); mainstreaming low emissions technology towards the Guyana’s energy transition to renewable sources (US$1.5 mln); institutional strengthening for natural resources management; and support for gender-responsive approaches to climate and environmental resilience. These initiatives are in direct response to national priorities as captured in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the development needs of Guyana, a low-lying coastal state that is 1.5 metres below sea level.

In addition, in keeping with UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and more specially the Signature Solution on Gender Equality, UNDP in Guyana conducted a gender portfolio review, which produced recommendations for the mainstreaming of gender equality across projects and portfolios. The Country Office is also a Recipient UN Organization under the global United Nations-European Union Spotlight Initiative, which seeks to end violence against women and girls.

It is envisioned that the International UN Youth Volunteer will provide direct support to UNDP in Guyana in the continued implementation of the recommendations of the Gender Portfolio review, the gender equality signature solution and other related actions to mainstream gender across the programme portfolio.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst (Environment, Energy and Extractive Industries and the Gender Focal Point of the Country Office, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Gender mainstreaming in development projects

In consultation with the Programme Team and Strategic Management Analyst: • Review the recommendations of the gender portfolio review (2019); • Provide suggestions for the updating of the gender portfolio report and its rec-ommendations; • Following the trend in the report, support the completion of similar reviews for new development projects that are not captured in the report; • In line with UNDP's Signature Solution on Gender Equality, support the design of a gender mainstreaming framework to inform project designs and project documents; • Support gender analyses of strategic and related project documents; • Review documents (reports, action plans, etc) with gender lens and incorporate gender framework.

2. Project Support • Provide project support to the implementation of Pillar 5 of the Spotlight Initiative, the Women in Disaster Risk Reduction and EnGender Projects in Guyana.

3. Gender training, including for national counterparts • Contribute to training for UNDP staff and national counterparts, including at lo-cal level on gender mainstreaming, gender sensitive, gender responsive and gender transformative programming or other requested gender-related topics.

4. Gender-related communication, Research, Codification of Knowledge
   • Formulate gender stories and results in line with corporate guidelines • Conduct research, synthesize best practices and codify project experiences on the ground in comprehensive knowledge products with lessons learned and step-by-step guidance for replication.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Integrity Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams

(preferably 2 years) in empowerment of women, gender mainstreaming and coordination initiatives; Experience working in teams and coordinating with project/programme personnel in Government, CSOs or other development partners; Experience in the UN system is an asset; Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) is an asset

Located in the Northern part of South America, Guyana the “land of many waters” is a unique blend of Caribbean and South American culture and history. With 965 miles of navigable rivers, 83% of Guyana is covered by pristine rainforest. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Coastline on the northeast, Venezuela on the west, Suriname on the east and Brazil on the West and South. The national language in Guyana is English.

In 2016, Guyana was reclassified as an upper middle-income country following the discovery of large oil and gas reserves, which is expected to increase economic growth significantly in the short to medium term. Primarily due to oil and gas revenues, Guyana recorded a high growth rate of 43.4 per cent in 2020 (International Monetary Fund, April 2021). In addition, the country’s short- to medium-term prospects seem to be very favourable as economic growth is projected at rates of 20.4, 48.7 and 32.0 per cent for 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

With an area of approximately 214,969 square kilometres, close to 90% of the population of approximately 736,000 people (2012 Census) live along the Atlantic coast. Guyana is known as the land of six peoples. Around 39% of the population are the descendants of indentured Indian agricultural workers brought in by the British after slavery was abolished. Another 29% are descended from African slaves, brought in by the Dutch to work on sugar plantations. Nine indigenous Amerindian tribes, descendants of Europeans, Portuguese and Chinese make up a diverse population mix. This ethnic mix reflects the country's unique history and can be witnessed in its rich culture, diverse food offerings and the local Creole language.

Guyana is vulnerable to flooding, especially as the coast is below sea level and although protected by a sea defence wall, it is not uncommon for water to rise above the wall. UNDSS’ rating of Guyana security is level 2 for coastland and level 1 for hinterland. This is mainly due to robberies on the coastland, which sometimes are violent. Incidents such as car theft have also taken place. It is thus important to take sensible precautions to protect oneself and one’s belongings.