UNDP Jobs - 54055- National Gender Specialist

National Gender Specialist - (Open to Liberian Nationals Only)

Location :

Monrovia, LIBERIA

Type of Contract :

TA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-B

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six 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 promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women is central to the mandate of UNDP and intrinsic to its development approach. UNDP global and the UN as a whole have supported several initiatives including the endorsement of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 by the UN General Assembly that clearly demonstrate commitment to the empowerment women for their equal participation in political processes, promoting women peace and security, as well as avoiding all forms of discrimination against women.

As reflected in the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2014 – 2017 and in line with the vision of the UNDP Strategic Plan, the key mission or objective is to contribute to the eradication of poverty and the significant reduction of gender inequalities by empowering women and promoting and protecting their rights. In fulfillment of these imperative UNDP Liberia has provided significant support to the Gender Empowerment Agenda in Liberia through a number of projects.

With the onset of onset of Ebola in the Mano River Union countries, including Liberia; women and girls are at heightened vulnerability which is attributed to some of the cultural and traditional practices and roles. Women are more likely to be front-line health workers and customs dictate that women and girls play the role of caretakers for ill family members, tasks which expose them to increased risk. Given that pregnant women are more likely to have contact with health services, they experience greater exposure to infections in health facilities. As a result of the crisis, women are not accessing reproductive and maternal healthcare, women’s livelihoods are suffering due to closure of markets, and adolescent girls are more likely to fall pregnant as a result of schools being closed, and there is evidence that sexual and gender based violence is on the rise.

The importance of strengthened gender capacities for UNDP Liberia is therefore particularly acute during the current crisis, especially as the leading UN agency on early recovery. Broadly, the National Gender Advisor will provide support to the Country Office – senior management and programme staff – to ensure that gender is mainstreamed across programmes and that several outcomes specifically promoting gender equality, are achieved. The Gender Advisor will also assist the Country Office to build a network of partners working on gender and foster a stronger relationship with the Ministry of Gender and Children and Social Protection. He/she will also work with the Gender Equality Seal Focal Group to support UNDP Liberia to take necessary steps towards certification.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure that gender is mainstreamed in the Ebola early recovery pillar, which is being led by UNDP;
Work closely with the Sustainable Economic Transformation and Governance and Public Institutions Pillar heads and programme managers to ensure that gender is mainstreamed in project design and implementation in relation with the Ebola crisis;
Propose several key areas where UNDP can make an impact for the promotion of gender equality under the Sustainable Economic Transformation and Governance and Public Institution clusters in relation with the Ebola crisis and post-Ebola recovery;
Support for engendering policy and programme responses based on the findings of the ongoing EVD Socio-Economic Impact Assessment;
Assist the Monitoring and Evaluation team to monitor the achievement of goals related to gender equality and EVD;
Advise on any barriers that might hinder women’s meaningful participation in UNDP’s projects such as the cash transfer programme, the early recovery and livelihood programme and on how to mitigate them;
Support the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, women’s groups and with development partners in defining gender issues in current Ebola outbreak and post Ebola stabilization and recovery strategy;
To the extent possible, provide support to the Country Office to execute the Gender Equality Seal Certification and support the CO Leadership Team in adapting UNDP’s global Gender Equality Strategy, including defining key gender equality results for 2015.
Provide capacity building training to key staff members on gender equality and mainstreaming in programme design and implementation;
Ensure visibility of UNDP’s work on gender equality;
Create a pool of resources and tools on gender equality for use by all UNDP staff;
Establish a list of gender resource persons in Liberia.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
Excellent analytical skills;
Ability to prioritize works and produce the required outputs in given timeline.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree (Masters) in Political Science, International Development, Law or other related field.

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of experience working in the areas of women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming, with specific experience in post-conflict development context;
Good knowledge of cross-cutting democratic governance issues, such as capacity development; and economic livelihood and development.
Good knowledge in advocacy and communication for development
Good knowledge of and experience working in post conflict governance context;

Language:

Excellent command of English.