Gender, Diversity, and Social Inclusion (GDSI) Advisor

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) is a major department of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). It supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. In 2022, UNOPS launched two separate but complementary strategies: the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Projects (GESI) Strategy 2022-2025 and the Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) workforce strategy 2022-2025. The NYPO is committed to implementing these at the regional and field office level and is thus seeking a GDSI Advisor.

Functional Responsibilities

**Even though the duty station is indicated as New York, USA, consideration may be given to allow the position to be home-based, depending on the incumbent's personal situation. For home-based positions, a location-specific fee scale is applied in determining the contractor's fee.**

Reporting to the Regional Director, and working closely with the NYPO Management Team, portfolios, and HR coordinators, the GDSI Advisor will carry out the following tasks:

Gender, Diversity, Inclusion

• Oversee the implementation of the corporate GDI/GESI strategy at the NYPO regional level, to ensure that annual regional business targets are met; develop a workplan on how to meet these targets, coordinate the actioning of tasks, liaising with all relevant stakeholders and report regularly to NYPO management on progress
• Provide technical expertise in several GDI/GESI focus areas, including disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ inclusion, antiracism, and enabling environments
• Map current GDI/GESI mainstreaming initiatives in projects, identify strategic gaps, and make recommendations
• Advise NYPO business units, including field offices, in the creation of the their GDI/GESI strategy and plans, emphasizing the adoption of an intersectional approach
• Assess the quality of GDI/GESI mainstreaming in projects and advise project managers on how to present business cases to donors who are reluctant to allocate funding for GDI/GESI activities in projects
• Establish a monitoring and oversight mechanism for GDI/GESI mainstreaming across NYPO’s business units
• Coordinate the creation and distribution of tools to enhance communication, advocacy, and knowledge management around GDI/GESI
• Identify obstacles to implementation of GDI/GESI initiatives and goals and propose solutions
• Build internal capacity on GDI/GESI topics, including the organization of workshops and training sessions in collaboration with HQ as appropriate
• Lead the roll-out of internal awareness-raising campaigns around GDI/GESI
• In cooperation with colleagues from the Information Management department, support the improvement of data management, and the measurement of progress and results
• Identify and share best practices, within and outside the organization; contribute to existing and emerging corporate initiatives
• Contribute to organizational policies and strategies and/or working groups on behalf of NYPO to increase the diversity of applicant pools across all dimensions, including gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and people with disabilities
• Create and nurture a network of global GDI/GESI focal points (e.g., working group, task force, or equivalent) to promote the exchange of ideas, coordinate the implementation of the action plan, and facilitate the escalation of relevant issues

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) - Provide technical advice and support during the development and implementation of PSEAH strategy implementation, including operational support to regional and field office teams and implementing partners - Oversee field offices’ efforts to develop and implement local PSEAH action plans - Design, develop, and conduct training programmes and capacity building initiatives, for both internal and external partners. - Adapt and roll out global and regional guidance to improve efforts to address PSEAH priority areas - Strengthen understanding among UNOPS personnel on PSEAH policies and reporting procedures - Link with corporate policy holders and focal points and work with NYPO business units to promote compliance to organizational PSEAH procedures - Identify best practices in PSEAH and facilitate the knowledge sharing at corporate, regional, and field office level

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Advanced University Degree (master degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience

OR - First level University degree (bachelor degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience

Experience Relevant experience is defined as experience in implementing initiatives on gender sensitive programming, gender equity and social inclusion, or gender mainstreaming, in a programmatic setting. - Experience with PSEAH initiatives is required - Experience in an operational setting is desired - Experience working within a large multinational organization is desired

Languages- Fluency in English is required (reading, writing, speaking) - Fluency in another official UN language is desired

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.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
• Contract level: ICS-11 (P4 equivalent; IICA-3 equivalent; LICA-11 equivalent)
• Contract duration: Ongoing, subject to organizational requirements and funds availability

Here are more details about the ICA contractual modality.