UNDP Jobs - 32731- Programme Specialist (Gender and Economy)

Programme Specialist (Gender and Economy)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Sep-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

Important message to all applicants!

Please be aware that the Bureau For Development Policy will review your application only if you have uploaded a signed Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.

The Gender Team of the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is the institutional anchor of UNDP’s work on gender equality and women’s empowerment. As the UN’s lead development agency, with extensive field presence, UNDP facilitates the integration of gender equality in the work of its Country Offices through core and non-core fund investments and has initiated and implemented numerous innovative initiatives that support program county work on gender equality and women’s empowerment. UNDP's work on gender is guided by the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the frameworks provided by the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The UNDP Gender Team works to implement gender equality as a core objective of UNDP through a two-pronged approach (i) mainstreaming gender in all core practices; and, (ii) dedicated interventions that empower women and promote gender equality. In this context, the Gender Team developed the Gender Equality Strategy (2008-13) which was prepared in conjunction with the UNDP Strategic Plan (2008-13). The Gender Equality Strategy outlines the gender dimensions of the four practice areas (Poverty Reduction and MDG Achievement, Democratic Governance, Environment and Sustainable Development, and Conflict Prevention and Recovery) and sets goals for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment.

In line with the GES, UNDP works with national partners to: 1) design national development strategies, plans and budgets that respond to the needs of both poor women and men, while helping women to better influence and shape these policies 2) promote women’s and girl’s economic rights and opportunities, including investing in women’s entrepreneurship 3) build capacities to address the gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS through laws, polices and budgets and 4) strengthen national statistical and planning offices’ capacity to collect, analyze and use gender statistics.

In the fifteen years since 1995, despite genuine progress on many fronts, overall advancement toward gender equality and women's empowerment has been uneven and slow. With only five years left until the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, additional efforts are needed to reduce the inequalities between women and men as a critical foundation to achieving all the MDGs.

In this context, the growing global recognition of the need to incorporate gender perspectives into national development frameworks has led UNDP to develop the global Gender and Economic Policy Management Initiative (GEPMI), a capacity development and policy advisory programme which aims to accelerate achievement of the MDGs by making economic policies and poverty reduction strategies deliver equitably to women and men, girls and boys. The Gender Team have started to implement this global programme in Asia-Pacific and will be implementing it in Africa this fall. The demand for technical advice and support services has grown, particularly from country offices and government counterparts.

To continue the momentum created and expand the work, the Gender Team is seeking to fill the position of Gender and Economy Specialist.

The Gender Team is organised into five clusters: Poverty Reduction and Achieving the MDGs; Environment and Energy; Democratic Governance and Crisis Prevention and Recovery; Institutional Accountability/Interagency Cooperation; and Regional Advisors. The Gender and Economy Specialist, will support the Poverty Reduction and Achieving the MDGs Cluster which is comprised of the Head of the Cluster and two other professional staff based in New York.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the implementation of the programme activities in the area of Gender, Poverty Reduction and Achieving the MDGs.

Support the implementation of the cluster’s Gender and Economic Policy Management Initiative (GEPMI) at the global, regional and country levels.
Provide substantive support to roll out the short course on Gender-Responsive Economic Policy Management in Africa and other regions.
Support the cluster’s advocacy efforts on Gender and Poverty issues, including through organizing events at major conferences;
Support the monitoring and evaluation of ongoing activities and contribute to compiling and writing of reports and advocacy materials in the poverty reduction and achieving the MDGs cluster.
Undertake procurement processes, including preparation of bid documentation, technical review, CAP, PAC and ACP processes related to the work of the poverty reduction and achieving the MDGs cluster;
Follow up with key partners on delivering the joint activities;
Support the roll out of the poverty cluster’s programmes and activities at the global, regional and country level.
Support the cluster’s efforts in incorporating gender perspectives into national development frameworks through capacity building and targeted interventions.

Support cross-practice collaboration with the poverty practice group

Support the implementation of the cross-practice initiatives specifically the programmes related to gender, poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs.
Participate in cross practice team meetings and planning sessions to support poverty reduction strategies, macroeconomic policies and programmes targeting developing countries.
Provide technical support to UNDP in integrating a gender dimension into existing training manuals and initiatives.
Support the research behind the drafting of policy briefs, concept notes, project concept notes, issues briefs, and other substantive technical inputs on issues related to gender, poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs.
Provide substantive assistance in the development and facilitation of critical discussions on gender and poverty, including UN inter-agency discussions, regional events, lecture series and online discussions.

Contribute to the development of innovative research, policy and knowledge products/tools on Gender, Poverty Reduction and MDGs Achievement

Support research and analytical work on gender, poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs as well as other areas when needed;
Monitor the Knowledge Management aspects for the poverty reduction and achieving the MDGs cluster
Provide direct country level support through queries and service requests through UNDP’s knowledge management platform “Teamworks”;
Maintain and update the cluster’s service spaces, regularly update the content and strengthen the community of practice.

Impact of Results

The Gender and Economy Specialist will support the integration of gender perspectives into UNDP programming in the area of poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs. This will impact on UNDP’s delivery on its Gender Equality Strategy 2008-2013 and UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Additionally, the Gender and Economy Specialist will play a critical role in our efforts to incorporate gender perspectives into economic/macroeconomic policies and national development frameworks and will contribute to promoting knowledge sharing and improved support on gender equality at the global, regional and national level.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

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

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management and development projects
Proven track record of economic and policy development, design and implementation of programmes
Knowledge and technical expertise in the area of gender equality, macroeconomic policies and women’s economic empowerment
Familiarity with evaluation instruments, results based management, work planning, budgeting and reporting
Excellent analytical skills of substantive as well as organizational issues
Ability to perform a variety of research and logistical support tasks in a fast-paced and highly pressured environment

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client (solution oriented) and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters degree from an accredited educational institution in Economics, Public Administration, Public Policy or related economics/development field.

Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressive experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational areas focusing on finance and procurement management.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management.
Experience in handling ERP system

Language Requirements

Fluency in English
Working knowledge in other UN languages an asset.