UNDP Jobs - 49569- Gender Programme Consultant

Gender Programme Consultant - (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Garowe, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

23-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months

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

The UNDP Somalia Country Programme (CPD, 2011-2015) has one Outcome dedicated to the promotion of Gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) (Outcome 4, ‘Somali women and men attain greater gender equality and are empowered’).

In order to help ensure adequate mainstreaming of gender throughout the other three Outcomes;

Somali women and men are better able to build peace and manage conflict;
Somali women and men benefit from more inclusive, equitable and accountable governance, improved services, human security, access to justice and human rights;
Somali women and men benefit from increased sustainable livelihoods opportunities and improved natural resources management), the CPD is complimented by a Gender Strategy (GES, 2012 – 2015). The GES provides a blueprint for achieving the proposed gender equality results both in its programmes and in its operational structures. It provides guidance for the Country Office (CO) to move from gender sensitivity to more gender transformative programming i.e. by addressing the causes of gender inequality through strategic actions that seek to transform the unequal power relations between men and women resulting in improved status of women and gender equality.

UNDP Somalia established a Gender unit in 2012, comprised of a small team of administrative and specialized programme staff in Nairobi and Somalia, headed by a Gender Specialist with advisory and project management functions. The Gender unit implements the GES and a GEWE project; and works closely across all CO programmes and units as well as with relevant government counterparts and civil society partners (CSOs).

Between 2012 and 2013, the CO achieved some commendable results in promoting gender equality and empowering women through its programmes. For example, a record increase in women’s representation in the legal profession, specific livelihood interventions targeting women and strengthened partnerships with CSOs and government ministries towards promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Somalia. However, the subject of integrating gender equality concerns into the CO’s institutional and organizational practices required a significant step up of efforts.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director for Programmes and the supervision of the Gender Specialist, the Gender Consultant will achieve specific deliverables under Outcome 4 and gender mainstreaming of UNDP programmes in the Garowe sub-office to ensure their alignment with the gender focus of the CPD.

Reporting directly to the Head of Sub Office for Puntland, the Gender Consultant will work on a daily basis with colleagues in the Garowe sub-Office, necessitating that the incumbent be able to develop and maintain strong working relationships across the organization and be able to work in a responsive client-orientated manner. The Gender Consultant will also work in close collaboration with Government Officials, UNDP operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, as well as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to ensure successful mainstreaming and programme implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The purpose of the incumbent is to support the Gender Specialist to ensure the development of strong partnerships, mainstreaming, coordination and monitoring and evaluation of programme outputs.

The specific objectives are:

Provide technical assistance in the implementation of the CO GES to all sub-office units/programmes/projects as required;
Assist the Gender Specialist in maintaining relationships with UNDP’s partners including donors, government agencies, and CSOs, on matters related to the promotion of national commitments to gender equality with a view of ensuring strategic partnerships and strengthening collaboration;
Monitor and provide technical oversight for implementation of all contracts with partners and counterparts such as Letters of Agreement (LOAs) with Government Ministries and Micro-capital Grant Agreements (MCGs) with CSO;
Prepare regular reports on progress achieved by the gender programme following reporting requirements set by the CO in collaboration with the Gender programme team and project partners;
Contribute to rigorous monitoring and evaluation of gender-related programme interventions, in close collaboration with the M&E specialist;
Promote the leading role of UNDP in fora and meetings related to gender equality (e.g. the GBV Working group), and prepared and disseminate relevant information report of proceedings to colleagues.

Scope of work and expected results

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Gender Specialist and report directly to the Head of Garowe sub-office to plan and deliver the following results:

Oversee the implementation of all work carried out in partnership with CSOs, the Ministry for Women Development and Family Affairs (MoWDAFA) and other focal ministries on gender equality and women’s empowerment through provision of technical guidance and monitoring of implementation;
Undertake monitoring visits to project sites and support gathering of data/information for project monitoring and evaluation processes ensuring compliance with UNDP M&E requirements in reporting on programme results and progress towards outcomes;
Assist the Gender Specialist in the preparation of narrative reports as well as in the planning and revision of project AWP in alignment with the corporate AWP and regional priorities;
Support the development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs on gender equality and women’s empowerment in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
Revive the sub-office Gender Focal Team and organize periodic meetings;
Finalize the sub-office Gender Action Plan taking forward recommendations at the 2014 Gender training and monitor implementation;
Review all programme documents and processes from a gender perspective and provide guidance for effective gender mainstreaming;
Support sub-office programme teams to integrate gender in their activities through trainings, reviewing/developing gender-sensitive TORs and Job Descriptions, review and provide support to project reports, review monitoring plans, support monitoring missions and meetings with counterparts; and providing other on-demand gender mainstreaming services;
Liaise with operations unit to implement operational components of the sub-office Gender Action Plan;
Review all sub-office communications such as annual and quarterly reports, press releases to ensure integration of gender concerns;
Produce GEWE Project Quarterly Report (for Quarters 2 & 3);
Contribute content for sub-office monthly/quarterly reports;
Produce mission and monitoring Reports;
Contribute to Gender Equality Strategy Progress Report - 2014;
Final report at the end of this contract;
Carry out any other relevant duties as requested by the Head of Sub office or the Gender Specialist.

Monitoring and Progress controls

This entire contract is expected last for 3 months from issuance of the contract. The incumbent will work under close supervision of the Gender Specialist and be monitored against progress of set deliverables below:

Inception Plan: One week after signing contract.

GEWE Project Deliverables:

Consistent communication maintained with Gender Specialist and other team members on day to day GEWE Project implementation through emails - Daily;
Regular meetings held with CSO and Ministry partners and duly reported - Weekly;
Periodic reports on LOAs and MCGs reviewed in collaboration with Project Assistant and recommendations made to Gender Specialist on release of instalments - As per LOAs and MCGs;
Two Project Review Board Meetings held and duly reported - October & December 2014;
Consistent Project monitoring conducted and duly reported - Monthly;
Narrative Reports of Project implementation - See Result 3 below;
Consistent representation of UNDP in gender coordination mechanisms with evidence of reports - Weekly/monthly.

GES Implementation (Gender Mainstreaming):

Sub-office Gender Focal Team revived and meetings held regularly - Monthly starting in September;
Sub-office Gender Action Plan revised and adopted by GFT - October 2014;
All programme documents and processes in the sub-office reviewed and gender integrated - Weekly through sub-office programme meetings;
On-demand gender mainstreaming services provided to sub-office programme teams - Weekly;
Operational components of sub-office Gender Action Plan implemented (e.g. prayer room for women) - December 2014;
All sub-office communications integrate gender perspectives - As needed.

Reporting:

GEWE Project Quarterly Report (for Quarters 2 & 3) - October & December 2014;
Sub-office monthly/quarterly reports - Monthly/quarterly;
Mission and Monitoring Reports - Monthly;
Gender Equality Strategy Progress Report - 2014 - December 2014;
Consultancy report at the end of this consultancy - December 2014.

Final product:

A report of the consultancy including experiences, lessons learnt and recommendations.

Timeframe:

The incumbent’s assignment is office based and is expected to last a maximum of 3 months starting from 1 October 2014 to 31 December 2014.

Remuneration:

Payment will be processed through the Certificate of Payment (COP) and timesheet, verified and certified by the direct supervisor. Remuneration will be calculated on a monthly rate based on qualification and experience at UNDP scale.

Payment schedule:

Monthly.

Note:

Living expenses in Garowe will be borne by the incumbent;
Travel to other regions outside Garowe will be paid separately and based on incumbent’s approved travel schedule and UNDP regulations.

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.

Functional Competencies

Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of human rights, public health public policy or international affairs.

Project and Resource Management:

Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs;
Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs;
Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and team work:

Demonstrated well developed people management skills;
Strong negotiating and networking skills;
Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment;
Provides and receives constructive feedback.

Communications and Advocacy:

Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly;
Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences;
Excellent analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically;
Capacity to communicate clearly and quickly.

Gender Competencies:

Advocacy skills to action to achieve the Gender Equality Strategy agenda with internal and external partners;
Creating and seizing opportunities – organizational and project cycle entry points for gender mainstreaming;
Conflict solving to manage gender barriers and gender blank behaviors within the CO and with partners.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree in relevant social science discipline (preferably gender studies) with 3 years of experience;
First level university degree in Public Health, development, public administration, social studies or related field with 4 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Years and nature of experience:

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the field of gender and development or social science related work with evidence of gender awareness;
Solid understanding of and experience with implementation of international gender frameworks;
Good working knowledge and experience of the UN System; knowledge of UNDP processes and Gender Equality policies is an asset;
Knowledge of critical gender issues in the Somali context; in addition in a conflict and Islamic context;
Experience in working with local CSO’s and with working in conflict settings;
Proven diplomatic skills in handling counterpart relations;
Demonstrated effectiveness in a project management role;
Experience with ATLAS or another platform for enterprise financial resource management an asset.

Language requirements:

Excellent written, spoken and presentation skills in English language;
Somali language is an asset.

Other Information:

Work space and laptop computer will be provided to the incumbent;
Transportation within Garowe will be in accordance with sub-office standard arrangements.

Terms of Service:

This is a non-staff contract under the Individual Contractor (IC) modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under an IC serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institution, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP.

The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.