UNDP Jobs - 32012- National Expert Gender

National Expert Gender

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Aug-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial period of one year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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.

Background

Democratic governance is a concept that emerged from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative, equitable (across gender and other categories), transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions; a vibrant, responsible and capable media; and a dynamic civil society which is engaged in the political process. Phase 1 of DGD, which commenced in 2010 and ended in May 2011, addressed specific interventions that sought to improve the conduct of the 2011 general elections. During this phase, the project’s specific objectives were pursued through 6 distinct and inter-related programme components: Strengthening of the National Assembly; Strengthening of Political Parties; Improvement of the Electoral Process; Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society; Reinforcing the role of the Media; and Empowerment of Women. Based on lessons learnt and recommendations of the Project’s Strategic Review which was conducted between November 2011 and January 2012, the project document has been substantively revised to provide a clear understanding of the scope of the project, redefine the strategy, re-prioritize intervention areas, and provide more targeted assistance in order to ensure that the project produces the intended results within the constraints of time and funds.

Hence, Phase II refocuses the DGD project and redefines its goals ‘to strengthen the democratic character of Nigerian political processes and outcomes.’ Similarly, to ensure a more focused and streamlined intervention targeted at specific key results areas where there would be no duplication of efforts, especially with other donors within and outside the Joint Donor Basket Fund (JDBF), the DGD Phase II has 4 major components namely: 1) Promoting Credible, Transparent and Sustainable Electoral Processes; 2) Improving the Democratic Quality of Political Engagement; 3) Enhancing Participation by Women, Youth and other marginalized groups and 4) Strengthening Channels of Civic Engagement. The contributors to the project are the European Commission, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A Project Management Unit (PMU) runs the project under the leadership of the UNDP.

Under the strategic direction of the Senior Gender Expert, and working in close coordination with development partners, the gender expert will support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of priorities, preparation of relevant documents and follow up support for management and continued partnership development to the project on behalf of DGD. As such, s/he will be required, inter alia, to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Support the implementation of the gender component of the DGD project, partly with UNWOMEN as the major implementing UN partner;
Provide support in the coordination of relationships and partnerships through the gender sectoral working group;
Coordinate interventions that address issues of inclusive participation especially as they relate to the youth and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
Any other duties as assigned by the Senior Gender Expert/Project Director.

Functional/Expected Results:

Support the implementation of the gender component of the DGD project, partly with UNWOMEN as the major implementing UN partner;

Support the Senior Gender Expert in implementing all planned activities as per work plan;
In collaboration with the Senior Gender Expert, provide substantive guidance to all parties partnered with and sub-contracted for this component;
In collaboration with the Senior Gender Expert, provide input in UNWOMEN-implemented activities;
Review documents relating to all above activities then pass on to the Senior Gender Expert to Certify for payment.

Functional/Expected Results:

Provide support in the coordination of relationships and partnerships through the gender sectoral working group;

Provide input in developing and nurturing broader partnerships in the areas of democratic governance on women participation in elections, communicate and advocate the international partners’ positions and engage with Nigerian partners accordingly
Manage the development of a wide range of productive professional relationships, ranging from technical to policy levels, across stakeholders.
Support the Senior Gender Expert in building and maintaining strong cooperative relationships with relevant local networks and contacts, including partner organisations, stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Improve coordination and partnerships among key stakeholders and increasing public awareness through media outputs and campaign
Advise on enlarging the pool of eligible women aspirants for elected office

Functional/Expected Results:

Coordinate interventions that address issues of inclusive participation especially as they relate to the youth and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).

Advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities in electoral and democratic processes
In close collaboration with the Senior Gender Expert develop programmes intended to promote youth participation in political parties, elections and democratic governance.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the shared vision, mission and strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative
Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Proven competence in the field of democratic governance, well-informed on both electoral and broader democratic governance issues such as legislative development, the role and potential of mass and community media, civil society in emerging democratic societies, and the participation and role of women in politics. Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors within the project, although possibly more knowledgeable and experienced in some areas. S/he should have a strong grasp of the strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues involved in capacity development in the area of democratic governance;
Ability to appreciate and respond productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in a politically challenging environment. Ability to maintain calm and poise in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in mediation and consensus-building;
Solid academic background and demonstrated abilities in analysis of complex political situations and providing strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment;
Proven managerial experience in an international context and ability to lead teams. Proven ability to make sound decisions in delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance between a focus on detail and keeping an eye on the big picture. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Strong inter-personal communications and diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen, understand and respond effectively to different and divergent points of view expressed by a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans. Proven ability to work under pressure and produce output that is accurate, timely and of high quality. Ability to manage conflicting priorities;
Ability to understand and apply tools such as the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s RBM and PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management. Ability to support and provide oversight to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Resourcefulness, good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with and between different levels and types of project personnel and counterparts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Masters) related to democratic governance and development, such as political science, economics and other social sciences.

Experience:

Progressively responsible work experience of at least 5 years in democratic governance, including electoral issues, dealing with: (a) policy dialogue and advisory work; (b) leadership and management of research and analysis; (c) design and execution of capacity development programmes; (d) project management, including the leadership of multi-disciplinary expert teams, preferably funded by development partners (UN or other); and (e) promotion of stakeholder/community awareness of and participation in democratic governance
A good understanding of the social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning African and, ideally, Nigerian governance and electoral processes.
Experience working on gender, youth and marginalized sectors of society;
Strong knowledge and experience in handling gender issues particularly in Northern Nigeria
Skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building.
Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in democratic governance.
Excellent PC user skills: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research.
Ability to travel within Nigeria and overseas.

Language Requirements:

Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.
Excellent spoken English is also required

The UN 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.