Gender and social inclusion specialist

Contract

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

The UNV Gender and social inclusion specialist will support the regional Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP) as well as the global UNCDF wide Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programming initiatives in all aspects relating to inclusion of women and other disadvantaged groups within the scope of all UNCDF supported projects ensuring that “Leaving no one behind” as well as contributing to targets under SDG 5.

The specialist will be responsible for supporting other activities, outputs and outcomes under PICAP progammes in various countries such as relevant research, policy and regulatory support, integrating gender dimensions into product development, consumer empowerment activities and working with other colleauges in ensuring that the overall programme goals are duly met. The role also involves working closely with UNCDF partners, from the government, such as the central bank and ministeries, the private sector, including but not limited to commercial banks, mobile network operators, fintechs, insurance companies, remittance service providers etc, as well as development partners, such as other UN Agencies, donor organizations and NGO’s.

Under the supervision of the UNCDF´s Lead Specialist (Insurance and Climate Adaptation) and Programme Manager, PICAP, the UN Volunteer will be the key person to structure the UNCDF engagement in the Pacific region and beyond and will undertake the following tasks: • Coordinate the implementation of UNCDF’s programme activities and in particular all aspects to gender and social inclusion aspects across all the workstream activites ac-cording to annual work plan, quality assurance and ensuring achievement of outputs.

• Undertake studies to analyze barriers to financial and digital inclusion, more particular-ly as it relates to inclusive insurance, CDRFI and prepare summary briefings

• Identify, review and advise on partnership opportunities related to GESI.

• Preparation of policy briefs, concept notes, blogs development, discussion papers and presentations, and assist in development of knowledge products in areas including but not limited to CDRFI, Participate in proposals/strategies development review and submissions

• Support in programme secondary research in areas relating to inclusive insurance, potential partnerships, climate disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI) including parametric insurance, and its applicability in the Pacific context with a key focus on gender inclusion. • Support the development of a pipeline of innovative projects and initiatives using UNCDF’s Technical Assistance facilities and blended finance instruments (e.g. grants, loans and guarantees); and integrate gender and social inclusion dimensions in RFAs and related project documents. • Help identify knowledge gaps and design responses esp. from the perspective of gen-der inclusion. Contribute to drafting terms of reference in relation to the different ten-ders for studies, TA provision etc. This includes conceptualizing, developing, and exe-cuting competitive innovation challenges, request for grant applications from across insurance and related service providers in the Pacific. • Supervise and manage a team of Volunteers/Interns, who may be onboarded depend-ing on project requirements. • Evaluate performance and provide guidance and mentorship for volunteers working on programme implementation. • Build and maintain strategic partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and sup-port in resource mobilization for the strategy in the region; • Liaise remotely with relevant entities and providers to introduce Climate Disaster Risk Financing (CDRF) strategy to better manage economic losses after a disaster; • Represent UNCDF in all relevant workshops, conferences and other events where UNCDF is invited; and be part of any regional or global working group or committee as nominated by the supervisor • Facilitate meetings of regional technical specialists and other colleagues by liasing with partners in organizing meetings; • Support timely reporting from partners that have received support as may be required; • Contribute to knowledge management and communication by writing blog posts, focus notes etc. particularly as it relates to gender inclusion within the projects and amplify its reach to global channels Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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; • Contribute articles/write-ups and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newslet-ters, press releases, etc.; • Assist remotely with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

Results/Expected Outputs • Robust relationships with Government departments, financial services stakeholders, donors and other development partners; • A portfolio and pipeline of high quality and innovative projects and other initiatives to support the development of climate disaster risk insurance portfolio in the Pacific and other countries on an opportunistic basis
• Increased visibility and recognition by UNCDF’s stakeholders in the region for its ex-pertise and capacity to deliver development outcomes for an inclusive digital econo-my, as well as on improved financial preparedness for climate change and disaster risks; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job train-ing, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • 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

• Integrity and professionalism: • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: • 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 prior-ities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but ob-jective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes sol-idarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

• Master’s qualification (preferred) in Economics, International Development, Public Policy or Gender studies or equivalent • 3 to 4 years of experience in financial services sector: inclusive finance, specifically insurance, demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects and programmes

• This assignment will most likely be carried out remotely, with in situ presence required at a later stage based on situation and circumstances

Fiji is a democratic republic. There are three levels of government in Fiji: national, provincial, and local. Fiji has a total land area of 18,272 square kilometres, with 332 islands (of which only a third are inhabited). The country has an exclusive economic zone covering 1.3 million square kilometres in the Pacific Ocean. Mountains and tropical forests cover the islands. Most of the population lives in towns and cities, with more than half living along the coasts. It has a pleasant climate with maximum temperatures rarely exceeding 26-31 degrees Celsius (78-87 degrees Fahrenheit). Fiji stays lush and green during the rainy season in December, with intermittent downpours. Since English is the official language of Fiji, almost everyone speaks it. The Fijian language, however, is preserved and widely spoken in a number of dialects.