UNDP Jobs - 15827- Gender Specialist

Gender Specialist

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

31-May-2010

Application Deadline :

13-May-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year, with possibility of yearly renewal

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 years

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. The overall goal of the Deepening Democracy Project in Nigeria is to help develop the capacity of national and sub-national institutions, networks and processes, whether governmental or non-governmental, as a contribution to the further entrenchment of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Efforts on the electoral cycle reinforce national efforts to build the norms, practices, mechanisms and institutions that can foster active citizenship and stronger democratic accountability, in keeping with the stated objectives of Government policy. The project provides technical assistance to the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the State Independent Electoral Commissions. In addition, the project works with civil society and other democratic institutions to help them maximize public participation and confidence in the outcome of elections.
Work on broader issues of democratic governance helps build the norms, practices and institutions that can underpin the development of democratic governance in Nigeria over the medium- to long-term whilst also supporting near-term action on pressing issues such constitutional and electoral reform. The project primarily provides technical assistance and financing for capacity development linked to practical outcomes in a number of areas: legislature, election management bodies, political parties, civil society, media, gender equality in politics.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the strategic direction of the Project Director, and working in close coordination with UNDP’s Capacity for Governance Team Leader and development partners, the International 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 UNDP. As such, s/he will be required, inter alia, to:

Summary of key functions:

Strategic advice on the highly sensitive issues surrounding gender and elections and democratization in Nigeria to top level policy and decision makers, based on careful analysis and research;
Management of the gender component of the DGD project, partly with UNIFEM as the major implementing UN partner;
Coordinate relationships and partnerships through the gender sectoral working group;
Conduct gender mainstreaming in throughout the other components of the DGD project;
Any other duties as assigned by the Project Director.

Function / Expected Results:

Strategic advice on highly sensitive political issues to top level policy and decision makers, based on careful analysis and research.

Analyze broader democratic governance; gender issues and trends in the country and advise the project and the partners accordingly.
Advise on advocacy for political party action to redress the marginalization of women as candidate and in party structures.
Provide substantive input, derived from best practices, in the strategic direction of the work of the project steering committee.

Functional/Expected Results:

Management of the gender component of the DGD project, partly with UNIFEM as the major implementing UN partner;

Implement all planned activities as per work plan;
Provide substantive guidance to all parties partnered with and sub-contracted for this component;
Provide oversight to UNIFEM-implemented activities;
Certify all above activities for payment.

Functional/Expected Results:

Coordinate relationships and partnerships through the component sectoral working group

Develop and nurture 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.
Development of a wide range of productive professional relationships, ranging from technical to policy levels, across stakeholders.
Build and maintain 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 campaigns
Advise on enlarging the pool of eligible women aspirants for elected office

Function / Expected Results:

Conduct gender mainstreaming throughout the DGD project;

Effective and professional technical leadership on all issues relating to gender mainstreaming of the political process, drawing upon best practice from other similar contexts in Africa and elsewhere.
Development of a set of practical and analytical tools to support the implementation of gender mainstreaming of the DGD.
Development of capacity building activities (meetings, workshops etc) to address the skills and capacity gaps of the stakeholders (including, CSOs candidates etc) in the area of gender mainstreaming.
Propose targeted high impact interventions to increase gender equality in political and electoral process in Nigeria.
Advise UNDP senior management, JDBF partners and the Project Director of strategies and proposals as required (i.e for special meetings and occasions as they arise).
In consultation with the M&E expert develop a monitoring and evaluation plan for gender mainstreaming of the DGD.
Be the focal point for monitoring and evaluating the gender component of the programme.
In collaboration with the Media and Communications experts, prepare messages and articles about the role of women in politics and in the electoral process as well as the support provided by the JDBF partners to support women in politics in Nigeria.
Prepare briefs on gender mainstreaming as and when required by the JDBF partners (for internal use).

Impact of Results:

The key results impact positively on the overall efficiency of the DGD project including improved business results and client services. Accurate representation and linkages provided with the individual in line with the information and a client-oriented approach enhances UNDP’s capability to effectively and efficiently manage programme and projects.

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 7 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.
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.