UNDP Jobs - 21201- Gender Specialist (DPF post)

Gender Specialist (DPF post)

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Mar-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (with possibility of extension)

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 Office operates a cross-border operation since 1993. Due to the prevailing security situation in Somalia, the Office is located in Nairobi. UNDP Somalia is currently composed of three main Programme portfolios: Rule of Law and Security (ROLS), Governance, and Recovery and Sustainable Livelihoods (RSL). UNDP Somalia programmes are implemented through 2 Sub Offices in Hargeisa and Garowe and staff are required to undertake regular field missions. The UNDP Somalia office shall relocate staff inside Somalia when the situation permits.

The Country Office is about to launch a new Country Programme (2011-2015) which has one Outcome dedicated to the Promotion of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment with four specific Outputs: i) gender equality and the empowerment of women implemented through advocacy initiatives in partnership with civil society and public institutions; ii) women’s participation in peace building, representation, civil service and public life increased at all levels; iii) women are empowered in social and economic development; and iv) women supported by appropriately designed, implemented and enforced legal and policy frameworks in line with CEDAW and Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1820.

In order to help ensure adequate mainstreaming of gender throughout the other three Outcomes as necessary and to help design and implement new activities under Outcome 4, UNDP Somalia is currently recruiting a Gender Specialist with advisory and project management skills.

Under the overall guidance of the Country Director and the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director for Programmes of the Somalia Country Office, the Gender Specialist will provide strategic direction and technical guidance to all UNDP programmes in Somalia to ensure their alignment with the gender focus of the new CPD.

The Gender Specialist will also help in the identification, design and implementation of activities under Outcome 4 and respond/adapt to strategic opportunities as they arise while maintaining a strong focus on resource mobilization. Since this is a new area for increased UNDP engagement, effective networking and partnership building with international and national partners, including government counterparts, civil society and non-governmental organizations, women's organizations and networks, bilateral and multilateral donors and UN agencies, is required.

The Gender Specialist will also supervise a small team of administrative and specialized support staff in Nairobi and Somalia, respectively, and work closely across all Country Office Programmes and Units as well as with relevant government counterparts and civil society partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Strategic Policy Advice and Coordination
Programme Development and Management
Advocacy and Partnership building
Resource Mobilization
Facilitates knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Provides Strategic Policy Advice and Coordination, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Provide guidance to UNDP programmes on integrating gender across all workplans and help monitor achievement of related results
Review and implement UNDP’s Gender Strategy for Somalia.
Contribute policy advice to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and other appropriate authorities in the three Zones of Somalia in support gender equality and women’s empowerment, with special focus on the prevention of violence against women in all of its forms
Lead the Outcome 4 team to ensure coordinated approaches across programmes and review associated implementation challenges on a regular basis with a view to overcoming bottlenecks.

2. Provides Programme Development and Management advice, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Identify opportunities and lead in the conceptualization of strategic programme interventions that respond to the needs and concerns of women and men, women’s NGOs and groups in Somalia and are in line with the UNDP’s Somalia Country Strategy.
Support implementation of strategic programme interventions across Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 and lead and oversee specific ‘stand-alone’ interventions under Outcome 4.
Contribute to rigorous evaluation of gender-related programme interventions, in close collaboration with M/E specialist.
Monitor political, economic and social developments trends and issues affecting women’s rights in Somalia to inform a strategic response to opportunities and challenges within the context of UNDP’s programmes in Somalia.
Support knowledge building and sharing at the country office on gender equality focusing on achievements, lessons learned and methodologies utilized in gender equality implementation and mainstreaming.
Work closely with other UN agencies working in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment to ensure complementarity and avoid overlap.
Support the UN Somalia Assistance Strategy outcome teams to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment as cross-cutting priorities.

3. Provides advocacy and Partnership building advice, focusing on the achievement of the following results;

Ensure leading role of UNDP in fora and meetings related to gender equality (e.g. Gender Theme Group (GTG) and the SGBV Working group).
Participate in and represent UNDP in activities to highlight key gender equality and women’s human rights issues and advocate for integration of gender equality issues into the development agenda.
Maintain relationships with UNDP’s partners including donors, government agencies, and NGOs, on matters related to the promotion of national commitments to gender equality with a view of ensuring strategic partnerships and strengthening collaboration.
Ensure the development of a gender communications strategy for UNDP Somalia in order to build awareness of gender equality issues in Somalia and the contribution of UNDP to the country.
Initiate and coordinate strategic advocacy activities to maximize support of the UN system, government and civil society partners on gender equality in line with international commitments to CEDAW, MDGs, UNSCR 1325, 1888, 1889 and others.

4. Support to Resource Mobilization, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Identify and follow-up on strategic opportunities for resource mobilization for implementation of UNDP’s Somalia Gender Strategy
Build strong partnerships with donor agencies on Somalia focusing on gender issues to ensure coordination and with government’s action plan.
Ensure regular communication with and timely reporting to programme donors

5. Facilitates knowledge building and knowledge sharing as required by the organization, focusing on the following results:

Identification and formulation of lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader CO knowledge management efforts.
Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Organization and conduct of trainings on gender advancement, gender equality, women’s empowerment, women’s issues, and social development thematic areas related to UNDP’s Gender Strategic Plan in the Country Office.

Impact of Results

Key impact of results will include optimal mainstreaming of gender dimensions across all programmes as well as the design and implementation of stand-along projects in support of GEWE, cumulatively ensuring that UNDP maximizes its contribution to improve the plight of Somalia’s women over the next five years. This position will also be critical in ensuring that UNDP can meet commitments and achieve Outcome and Output indicators set under Outcome 4 of our new Country Programme.

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

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

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
Ability to guide a programme team and provide innovative and strategic thinking.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrates good listening skills and responsiveness to the opinions of others.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
Ability of build strong relationships with both internal and external actors - cultivates productive relationships with donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree in Social Science, Gender or Women’s Studies

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in recovery and development, with special focus on addressing the promotion of gender equalityand women’s empowerment in crisis and post-conflict countries
Relevant research and published material an asset
Experience in Muslim world and in dealing with traditional legal systems an advantage
Previous experience with UNDP or UN Women (ex-UNIFEM) preferred and good knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures is desirable
Strong diplomatic skills in handling counterpart relations
Knowledge of Somalia context is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Strong written and spoken English skills.