Gender-responsive Data Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Thailand is one of the 16 countries identified globally as being in the ‘extreme risk’ category of those most vulnerable to future climate change impacts over the next 30 years.  Severe drought and flood events are increasingly experienced over the years due to climate change impacts on hydrological cycle. Thailand’s agricultural sector, in particular, is largely impacted by changing precipitation patterns resulting into common extreme rain events and floods, as well extensive period of droughts. With climate extremes expected to increase, climate-informed water management and climate-resilient water infrastructure development will be critical in order to prepare for and respond to floods and droughts, which are the key priorities of Thailand’s National Adaptation Plan 2018.  Given high cost of upgrading existing water infrastructure across the country, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is seeking to complement grey infrastructure with ecosystems-based adaptation measures (EbA) as a cost-effective and lasting solution to water management issues faced by agriculture sector of Thailand. This assignment is specifically within the scope of the project entitled “Enhancing climate resilience in Thai-land through effective water management and sustainable agriculture”, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the total of USD 17.5 million for 5-year duration (Funded Activity: FP170). UNDP is an Accredited Entity accountable to the GCF for the implementation of the project. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, is the project Implementing Partner, with the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH are the two Responsible Parties.
The project addresses the core problem of climate-induced droughts and floods threatening agriculture livelihoods and infrastructure in the Yom and Nan river basin (Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit provinces). Specifically, it seeks to: a) support climate informed water management, planning and investment, and b) support vulnerable farmers in reducing volatility to changing climatic conditions, enhancing climate-informed and integrated planning as well as reduce disruption to smallholder farmers.  The objective will be achieved through generation of three complementary outputs:  

• Output 1:  Enhance climate and risk informed planning in the water and agricultural sectors through improved climate information and cross sectoral coordination 
• Output 2:  Improve water management through strengthened infrastructure complemented by EbA measures, for greater resilience to climate change impacts 

Under the direct supervision of the Integrated Team Leader and overall guidance of the Project Technical Officer of the GEF funded project “Enhancing climate resilience in Thailand through effective water management and sustainable agriculture project”, the Gender Responsive Data Officer will have the responsibility for the planning and implementation of the Gender Action Plan. The Gender Responsive Data Officer will work closely with the M&E Officer, UNDP RBM Analyst, UNDP Safeguards Officer and Communications Officers on related aspects of project implementation, reporting, monitoring, evaluation and communication. Gender Responsive Data Officer will undertake the following tasks:

Summary of Key Functions: 1. Provide support to programme development and implementation on specific activity outputs outlined in section 15. In furtherance of these activities, the following tasks may be required: a. Together with the CO’s subject matter colleagues, support programme development in different thematic areas to access vertical funds or bilateral funds for the CO’s. b. In coordination with respective project managers support project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation regarding gender perspectives. c. Assist in the liaison and coordination with government-targeted national and international development partners and relevant UN agencies to identify/define areas of collaboration and develop joint programmes for implementation. d. Research and analysis related to climate change trends and its impacts on small farmers’ agriculture practices to support policies, technologies and innovations, and gender equality

2. Provide support in coordination, communication and advocacy on activities outlined in section 15 via communication materials a. Assist in the liaison and coordination with colleagues in the UNDP’s global/regional teams and relevant country offices to provide and share/exchange of up-to-date expert/technical inputs and information, insights, and lessons to inform targeted interventions formulation for the Thailand CO. b. Provide support to ensure smooth coordination and foster partnership with other development partners in Thailand (e.g., UN agencies, INGOs, bilateral governments) which focus on the same issues to synergize efforts and amplify impacts. c. Together with the CO’s communication team, youth engagement officers, gender advisor, and respective project managers, support implementation of a communication and advocacy programme to elevate UNDP’s substantive focus on translating the country’s goals into action leading to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals with the ‘Leave No One Be-hind’ principle.

3. Provide related-administrative support to ensure smooth implementation of the UNDP’s projects and activities in Thailand.

Results/Expected Outputs:

As an active project team member, the incumbent will provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support on project management and project implementation, which include the following activities:

 Monitor progress in implementation of the project Gender Action Plan ensuring that targets are fully met, and the reporting requirements are fulfilled  Support the implementation of the Gender Action Plan  Oversee/develop/coordinate implementation of all gender-related work  Review the Gender Action Plan annually, and update and revise corresponding management plans as necessary  Work with the M&E officer and Safeguards Officer to ensure reporting, monitoring and evaluation fully address the gender issues of the project

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage in-formation objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • 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 priorities 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; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi- cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; 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 objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little com-fort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, com-passion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Environment, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Business Administration, Social Development or related field

• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to gender and sustainable development; at least 5 years of practical working experience in gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment and sustainable development in relevant Country/Region/Area of Work
• Proven experience in gender issues in Country/Region/Area of Work
• Previous experience with UN projects will be a definite asset
• Demonstrated understanding of the links between sustainable development, social and gender issues
• Experience in gender responsive capacity building
• Experience with project development and results-based management methodologies is highly de-sired/required
• Excellent analytical, writing, advocacy, presentation, and communications skills.
• Excellent language skills in English (writing, speaking and reading) and in local languages.
• Ability to take initiative, and to work independently.
• Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts.
• Experience in meeting arrangement, data gathering, documentation in Thai and English of the new initiatives, power point presentation.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of social media management (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube).
• Knowledge of virtual meeting tools (i.e. Zoom, Skype, WebEx, Microsoft Teams).
• Strong Interpersonal skills and experience working with the private sector, government and civil society is an asset.
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraint.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

As this is an assignment for the Thai Nationals, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

UNV Entitlements and allowances:

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. For more information on entitlements please read Unified Condition of Service https://explore.unv.org/cos. For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly living Allowance (per month) around 48000 Thai Baht Entry Lump Sum (onetime payment) USD 400 Exit Allowance (for each month served paid on completion of assignment) USD 112.82 Medical and Life Insurance Coverage Travel Ticket when moving to the duty station: USD 200

Leave entitlements:

Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified Sick Leave: 30 days Uncertified Sick Leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days