Gender Equality Senior Officer

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

Background Information - Myanmar

UNOPS 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 Fund, 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 towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organisations in the country, including the 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 the military coup, 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 Gender Equality Specialist, LIFT Fund and in accordance with the UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Gender Equality Senior Officer will be carrying out the following duties:

Technical support for LIFT Fund Managmenet Office (FMO)

• Work together with Gender Equality Specialist in developing the FMO gender operational plans including the capacity building plans for the FMO
• Keep track of the Gender Operational Plans across the FMO together with the gender focal points and the gender equlity specialist
• Involve in producing the gender reference materials and guidelines such as gender budget guideline, gender marker tools, gender sensitive IEC for other technical IEC, gender awareness IEC, etc.
• Provide technical support to the programme officers with guidance from the gender equality specialist, in project cycle management by participating in proposal assessments, project reviews and evaluations, project workshops, field visits, producing gender guideline etc.
• Identify and support documentation of gender mainstreaming and Women’s Empowerment best practices and lessons learned in LIFT funded projects and programs and disseminate these among FMO, partners, across the funds under UNOPS and the fund board.
• Work together with the Gender Equality Specialist in technical learning and sharing activities such as Community of Practices workshops across different thematic programs
• Support the creation and mobilization of the gender focal persons and gender task force within FMO
• Support the gender analyses, studies, and assessments conducted by LIFT as needed

Technical support for the partners - Provide technical support for gender mainstreaming across the different projects and advise necessary adjustments according to the emerging situations and circumstances - Together with the Gender Equality Specialist, develop the training plans, organize and facilitate the gender trainings and workshops for the partners as part of the GES implementation - Support knowledge management and exchange of best practices among the partners and relevant stakeholders

Coordination, Reporting and knowledge management - With guidance from the gender equality specialist, engage in gender equality and social inclusion related networking and advocacy activities representing LIFT - In the absence of the gender equality specialist, participate in the UNOPS gender and PSEA working group meetings, UN Gender Team Group meetings, Fund Board meetings, and other relevant meetings - With support from the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning team, analyze and prepare the gender data for semi-annual and annual reports for LIFT and UNOPS Myanmar’s gender reports - Support LIFT’s communication and knowledge management work by collecting and documenting success, failures and lessons learned on gender mainstreaming into LIFT’s programs and projects - Interact with the partners and the FMO colleagues to exchange information on operational activities, seek cooperation and resolve routine operational issues, as necessary - Work as a positive team member and contribute to the objectives of LIFT

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in gender studies, international development, sociology or other relevant social science discipline is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with two additional years of gender mainstreaming and gender specific work experiences in development and/or humanitarian sectors in Myanmar is required.

Work Experience

• At least 2 years of relevant experience in the management and technical support of gender, diversity, inclusion and development programs/projects is required.
• Progressive experience in gender analysis and gender equality and women empowerment interventions that aimed to gender transformation for the vulnerable populations is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision in a complex and stressful environment is asset.
• Good communication, coordination, writing, and analytical skills is asset.
• Competent in the usage of computers and office software packages (Google platform) is highly preferred

Language

• Fluency in both spoken and written English and Myanmar is required.
• Knowledge of other languages used in Myanmar is considered as an asset.

Competencies

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: LICA Specialist-9/ICS9
• Contract duration: Open-Ended (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

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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.

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 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 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.