Gender Equality Advisor (Retainer)
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 - Myanmar
Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS also provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Background Information - Job-specific
LIFT is a multi-donor fund established in 2009 with the overall aim of reducing by half the number of people living in poverty in Myanmar. LIFT has received funding from 16 donors to date with contributions of USD 662 million between 2009 and the end of 2023, with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) as the Fund Manager.
LIFT’s fourth strategy (2019-2023) sought to capitalise on LIFT’s achievements and was driven by an optimistic outlook on Myanmar’s growth, democratic transition and more conducive policy environment for pro-poor policy making. A central focus was placed on ‘leaving no one behind’ with an explicit focus on reaching the most vulnerable and those in conflict-affected areas. In 2020, LIFT worked in 77 per cent of Myanmar’s townships, managed 87 grants with 57 partners and reached 12.8 million people.
In the context of widespread political conflict, subsequent economic downturn and an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to the new operational challenges, LIFT undertook major realignments in its programmes to strengthen the resilience and livelihoods of Myanmar’s most vulnerable communities, to deliver a rapid relief and resilience response while also continuing to implement activities within LIFT’s thematic programmes and cross-cutting areas of work.
In this rapidly deteriorating socio-economic and political situation with decreased livelihood opportunities and increased vulnerabilities, LIFT embarked on the reset of the 2019-2023 strategy (including LIFT’s four key thematic areas) to adapt to the context while remaining focused on Myanmar’s most vulnerable groups, particularly women, internally displaced people, migrants, smallholder farmers, landless people, people with disabilities and those vulnerable to trafficking and forced labour, particularly in peri-urban, ethnic and conflict-affected areas.
As part of the reset process, the LIFT Gender Equality Strategy (2022-2023) is revised with stronger focus on support for women’s leadership, voice and agency and systemic attention to gender equality concerns across and within LIFT.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the LIFT Fund Director and direct supervision of Programme Coordinator, LIFT Fund and in accordance with the UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Senior Gender Advisor (retainer) will be carrying out the following duties:
Provide Strategic Guidance and Technical Support:
- Support the full implementation of the LIFT Gender Equality Strategy (GES) and annual reporting of progress, and alignment to UNOPS Gender Equality commitments;
- Provide analysis and advise the Fund Board and LIFT Fund Management Office (FMO) on approaches and policies to strengthen contributions to gender equality including inclusive engagement and meaningful participation of women, sexual and gender minorities in the development assistance provided by LIFT
- Identify and advise on entry points for new and existing initiatives funded by LIFT to strengthen national and local capabilities to advance gender equality and social inclusion.
- Provide technical support to partners and FMO staff ensure that gender equality is consistently mainstreamed into all areas of LIFT Programme and Portfolio;
- Propose revisions, introduction of good practice and adoption of relevant guidelines within LIFT and its partners operational guidelines, policies, standard operating procedures (SOP), manuals and practices to mainstream gender equality and improve prioritization and planning processes.
- Facilitate training and workshops for LIFT FMO, partners and retainer consultants on gender and social inclusion mainstreaming, gender-sensitive analysis, gender-responsive programming, and relevant inclusion approaches.
- Support and advise the LIFT MEAL team on gender-inclusive approaches to indicator identification, data collection and analysis ensuring LIFT and its partners ethically and safely collect gender, disability, and age disaggregated data across all programs;
- Provide inputs to proposal reviews, the development of LIFT strategies, Calls for Proposal Windows, research, and other processes within LIFT.
- Provide support for the leadership of the LIFT gender team including strategic direction and capable oversight of the team’s activities.
Coordination, Reporting and Knowledge Management
- Provide technical input and representation in relevant UNOPS internal working groups and other lines of effort to shape and ensure implementation of UNOPS Gender policies.
- Coordinate, as needed, with other UN agencies, Funds and Programmes and other relevant institutions that have complementary mandates on gender equality through participating in working level mechanisms and processes;
- Represent UNOPS and LIFT at inter-agency, international, regional and national conferences and meetings and advocate LIFT's policy and initiatives in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
- Analyze and report the gender data and the progress and results of LIFT’s works on gender equality in the Fund Director’s report, and all relevant semi-annual and annual reports for LIFT and UNOPS Myanmar.
- Support LIFT’s communication and knowledge management work by collecting and documenting success and lessons learned on advancing gender equality in Myanmar and within gender mainstreaming in LIFT’s programs and portfolio.
- Work as a positive team member and contribute to the objectives of LIFT.
- Perform other functions within the above scope as requested by the Programme Coordinator
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in development related disciplines, gender, human rights, political science, behavioral science, or other relevant social science fields is required.
- Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered equivalent.
Work Experience
- A Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development, focusing on gender equality programming in low and middle income settings including in conflict affected countries is required.
- Experience in humanitarian crises or conflict environments is required.
- Proven work experience as a gender adviser, preferable at the senior level is required.
- Demonstrable and increasingly senior experience in developing, designing and implementing gender-inclusive development programming in conflict affected contexts is desirable.
- Proven experience with working collaboratively and sensitively with women’s rights organisations in low and middle income settings is required.
- Professional expertise in delivering gender-inclusive analysis, training on gender equality, and providing advisory inputs in a timely, relevant and accessible manner is desirable;
- Demonstrable experience with cross-cultural settings and enabling the meaningful participation of women and men, sexual and gender minorities in all areas of work is highly preferred.
c. Language
- For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
- Knowledge of other languages used in Myanmar is considered as an asset.
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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) Contract level: IICA3/ICS11 Contract duration: Maximum 150 days in a 12 months period(subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
• Note that this is a home-based contract with at least 30% mission travel to Myanmar. Reimbursement of travel and payment of Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be paid according to UN rules and regulations
Additional Considerations
- Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
- UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
- Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
- 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
- The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Background Information - UNOPS
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labour force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Work life harmonization UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.