UNDP Jobs - 57929- Gender Livelihood Specialist Consultant

Gender Livelihood Specialist Consultant

Location :

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

100 days in 9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 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 impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise (SLR) and pronounced droughts have severe consequences on water and sanitation in the Solomon Islands. Due to SLR, low-lying islands, atolls and flat deltaic regions are faced with salt water intrusion, affecting the groundwater resources and limiting access to freshwater supply. Droughts have severely damaged crops and livelihoods, as well as affecting water supplies; during the 1997/1998 droughts freshwater availability in Honiara decreased by around 30-40%.Climate-related impacts on the quality and quantity of water also has a gender dimension; in the context of ethnic tensions, the safety and security of women and girls is compromised as they need to travel further to collect water, leading to less time for other activities.

In this context, Government of the Solomon Islands, Ministries of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE), in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Ministry of Health and Medical Services – Environmental Health Division, Ministry of Development, Planning, and Aid Coordination (MDPAC), and UNDP is embarking on the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) through support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF). The project objective is to improve the resilience of water resources to the impacts climate change and improve health, sanitation and quality of life, so that livelihoods can be enhanced and sustained in the targeted vulnerable areas in 6 provinces. SIWSAP will work with partners to achieve this objective through 1) formulating, integrating, and mainstreaming water sector-climate change adaptation response plans into water-related sectors as well as broader policy and development frameworks, 2) increasing the reliability and improving the quality of water supply in targeted areas, 3) investing in cost-effective and adaptive water management interventions and technology transfer, and 4) improving governance and knowledge management for climate change adaptation in the water sector at the local and national levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Integrating gender dimensions into national climate changes policies, strategies, action plans and projects has become critical for realizing Government and community efforts to respond to climate change impacts and vulnerabilities. This is certainly the case with the SIWSAP’s focus on water resources’ resilience to adaptation of impacts on climate change. To get it right all initiatives require a gender analysis to understand the dynamics of gender differences across a variety of issues critical for achieving adaptation as well as building resilience to climate change. On the basis of the information collected as part of the gender analysis, the Gender and Livelihood Specialist (GLS) will identify and design a specific and discreet gender component above and beyond gender mainstreaming aspects which will address climate change adaptation in the project’s main sectors.

The GLS will be responsible for providing technical input and advice, as well as in-country implementation coordination, oversight, and support to the V&A assessment, WS-CCA plan development, and cost-benefit analysis. Furthermore, the GL will play a critical role in ensuring gender considerations are effectively addressed in the designing, planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation tools and system for the overall project in regard to ensuring that project investments made through this project can be accounted for through evidence-based monitoring and reporting.

The GLS will work closely with the Deputy Director of Water Resource Division of MMERE, the Project Manager/Acting Project Manager, and the SIWSAP provincial focal points, as well as the team of experts, including the Team Leader and Economist.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by demonstrating positive values and ethical standards through his/her actions;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of SIWSAP project;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional competencies:

Ability to assess community capacity, and formulate proposals to foster positive change;
Analytical judgment, results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment;
Shares information, knowledge and experience through effective and frequent communication;
Experience and technical understanding on development context and issues in the Pacific/Solomon Islands/LDCs with a particular focus on water and sanitation and/or climate change adaptation;
Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in order to keep deadlines;
Ability to engage various partners and stakeholders and builds strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders
Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty;
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates strong commitment and patience to deal with competing deadlines, demands, and interests;
Ability to build consensus and garner support under complex situations;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Exudes a friendly atmosphere where colleagues/counterparts can easily ask questions and seek assistance;
Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and effectively;
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships in a different cultural setting;
Strong research skills specifically research design, data collection, analysis and reporting;
Strong problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to formulate relevant recommendations and advice.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in sociology, environment policy, natural resource management and development with focus on cross cutting issues such as gender and climate change.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in water sector management within a climate change context and gender mainstreaming. Experience in gender and Human rights or international development, specifically related to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment;
Should have sound understanding of integrating cross cutting priorities such as gender and climate change;
Familiarization on gender issues in the Pacific region, preferably in the Solomon Islands;
Should have a good understanding of climate change issues and trends, and be able to clearly articulate linkage between climate change and human development in the context of gender mainstreaming;
Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the area of gender and climate change in the Solomon Islands;
Demonstrated capacity to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time to meet goals under pressure;
Demonstrated capacity to respond flexibly and positively to change through active involvement and generation of innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
Has previously handle positive reporting on social and or environmental issues with emphasis on gender considerations.
Resourceful, innovative and able to make informed judgment;
Computer literate with competency in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation and the use of Internet.

Language Requirement:

Strong written and spoken English.