Gender Specialist

Contract

This is a NPSA-9 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-9 contracts.

Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. For further detail on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era

Since 2013, UNCDF has been implementing a market development approach on digital finance in Uganda. With the support of the Sweden Development Agency (SIDA), UNCDF will execute the “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” strategy in country until 2024 under the “Connect” Rural Uganda Programme. The Programme has the aim to develop an inclusive digital economy(IDE) in Uganda with a specific focus at empowering rural communities, smallholders’ farmers, agri-business and refugees - to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services.

The main expected outcomes of this new initiative include:

• Rural community members in Uganda (smallholders farmers, agri-business & refugees) have the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to access and use digital services. They have better access to training and education through digital channels;
• New business models and technologies for delivering services are scaled for rural communities in the education, health, finance, agriculture and energy sector;
• Rural community members have improved access to and increasingly use digital payment accounts;
• The Government of Uganda implements policies that enable access and usage of digital services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

Provides advice and support to UNCDF management, programmes and projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compilation, analysis and interpretation of gender issues and statistical data, thorough research and preparation of top quality analysis and reports;
• Provision of top quality analysis and substantive inputs to IDE and other strategic projects;
• Advice on possible areas for UNCDF support and adjustment of on-going programmes to ensure that UNCDF programmes are in line with national policies and priorities;
• Production and launch of gender reports;
• Contribution to inter-agency initiatives related to gender issues;
• Representation of UNCDF in different working groups and interagency working groups.

Provides policy advice and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitates knowledge building and mainstreaming of gender in related perspectives within UNCDF programmes and actively participates in corporate UNCDF knowledge creation;
• Provision of policy options and high quality advisory inputs to UNCDF programmes and projects to ensure these are responsive to national policies, priorities and strategic plans, and advance UNCDF 's corporate goals;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned;
• Assessment of the country's gender policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc;
• Training and capacity building support for UNCDF staff and Government officials, public institutions on gender issues;

Ensures effective management of the IDE programme and gender specific portfolio focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

• Effective application of Results Based Management tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results;
• Design and formulation of IDE programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNCDF priorities into national interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing partners;
• Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the IDE programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation;
• Production of periodic updates and briefs on country development situation to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ;
• Undertaking of selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes;
• Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNCDF mandate and mission;
• Public and policy advocacy for corporate gender policies, the SDGs, pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;
• Management of events and publications on gender issues.

Competencies

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Substantial experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of gender projects;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
• Skills in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education:

Master's Degree in social science especially gender studies, or relevant discipline.

Min. years of relevant work experience:

5 year of professional experience in managing gender projects at the national or international level, including experience in implementation of projects for the most marginalized populations (refugees, women, youth) particularly in low/middle income countries is mandatory.

Institutional Arrangement:

The Specialist reports directly to UNCDF’s Digital Country Lead .

https://intranet.undp.org/unit/UNCDF/MSU/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/unit/UNCDF/MSU/Shared%20Documents/Human%20Resources/UNCDF%20Org%20Chart_Jan2021.pdf&action=default

Submission of Application:

The candidate is required to submit an electronic application directly uploaded on the UNDP jobs website.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.