Programme specialist on gender equality and women’s empowerment

Contract

This is a IPSA-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-10 contracts.

Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel:

a) UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station or any other location in the countries where we operate, as well as their return to their home should any such requirement arise. Travel costs are covered only in the event that a particular task will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

b) Travel expectations is minimal given COVID-19 restrictions.

Office/Unit/Project Description (max 300 words)

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are key to sustainable human development. Building resilient societies based on gender equality and respect for human rights are central to UNDP’s mandate to promote gender-responsive sustainable development. UNDP works closely with governments, national and sub-national institutions to support integration of gender-related concerns in their development agendas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The RBAS Gender Team develops regional and sub-regional initiatives to advance gender equality and supports Country Offices in the Arab states region to address the gender impacts of COVID-19 and deliver gender equality results aligned with the SDGs as part of their national programmes and policies.

The selected candidate will contribute to the conceptualization, initiation and implementation of regional and sub-regional initiatives on a number of issues, contribute to the Gender Team’s role in providing support to the COs on gender policies and programming as well as collaborate with the regional programme and hub teams in other areas to ensure gender is meainstreamed across all areas of work. As such the candidate would need to be familiar with the specific gender context in the Arab region and savvy about potential cultural sensitivities and safety risks that could result from gender equality programme implementation and advocacy.

Institutional Arrangement

The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the acting Gender Team Leader. The staff member will work in close collaboration with all RBAS teams, and relevant COs among the 17 countries in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific tasks include:

1) Contribute to the delivery of Regional Programme activities of the Gender Team,

2) Support Country Offices in the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal, especially country offices in crisis countries

3) Support country offices to take forward and implement the public seal pilot in 2 or 3 country offices, including selection of key ministries, and any required training support.

4) Collaborate with the Rule of Law team in the Hub in the finalisation of the gender justice update with country offices, ensuring quality control and helping with the roll out of a flagship event in December to mark the update of the reports.

5) Work with the rule of law team and country offices in the implementation of a behavioural insights experiment to support women access their rights.

6) Work with Gender and crisis facility to ensure WPS insights are integrated into future programming, supporting crisis countries in the region to develop projects and programmes and supporting ongoing work in Somalia country office

7) Contribute to regional knowledge management and advocacy initiatives of the Gender Team.

8) Help develop and contribute to COVID-19 recovery programmes and strategies at regional and country levels, including working with UNWomen, ILO and other agencies

9) Provide technical advice and support to CO gender mainstreaming work;

10) Contribute to organization of events for the RBAS gender focal teams platform

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education

• Master’s degree in gender studies, international relations, development studies or relevant field

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in gender equality and gender mainstreaming in development programmes

Required skills and competencies

• Knowledge of current and emerging gender equality challenges, including in the Arab states region
• Ability to provide technical advice on gender mainstreaming in programming
• Ability to work creatively and proactively to develop programmes, working across teams and sectoral approaches
• Demonstrated comprehensive understanding and knowledge of UNDP’s work
• Knowledge of gender dimensions of key UNDP priority areas and COVID-19 response
• Proven experience in organization of (online) international conferences and workshops
• Proven writing and analytical skills in English
• Ability to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies
• Perseverence and ability to see own work through to acceptable standards

Desired additional skills and competencies- Knowledge of UNDP’s current guidelines and project management tools - Experience in implementation of the UNDP Gender Equality Seal Certification - nfluencing and negotiation skills

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Proficiency in either Arabic or French is required and knowledge of the other is desirable