UNDP Jobs - 2895- Gender Advisor

Gender Advisor

Location :

Hanoi, VIET NAM

Type of Contract :

ALD International

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2007

Application Deadline :

02-Nov-07 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

ALD-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

possible extenstion subject to performance and available fund

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 UN Country Team in Viet Nam is strongly committed to harmonization, increasing effectiveness and coherence, and achieving a more sustainable impact of UN support to the development challenges currently facing Viet Nam. The One UN Initiative, which has led to the development of the One Plan 2006-2010 , as well as Joint Programmes within the context of the UN Country Team as a whole are expressions of this common desire, enabling the UN to implement the core goals of the Hanoi Core Statement on Aid Effectiveness: working together more effectively for a common objective, while reducing the transaction costs for partners that work with the UN.

The concept-note for an ambitious UN-GoV Joint Programme on Gender Equality has recently been developed. The Joint Programme on Gender Equality will provide strategic, coordinated and multi-sectoral technical assistance to build the capacity of national and provincial duty bearers so that they can better implement the new Law on Gender Equality and anticipated Law on Domestic Violence from 2007-2010. With 12 UN agencies forming a critical mass and speaking with one voice, the UN is better placed to bring about change at the highest level towards gender equality in Vietnam.

In addition to the above-mentioned, the UNCT recognizes the importance mainstreaming gender equity and women’s empowerment issues into the programmatic frameworks of the UNCT in Viet Nam, including the One Plan. Through the appointment of a UN Gender Advisor, the UN seeks to accelerate its role as a leader on gender equality issues in Vietnam, and initiatives related to UN reform, such as the UN-GoV Joint Programme on Gender Equality. The UN Gender Advisor will work in support of the UNCT and will report to the two Co-Chairs of the UN Gender Theme Group (UNFPA, UNIFEM) and the Head of the Office of the Resident Coordinator.

Funding for this position has been made available by UNDP and UNIFEM for 1 year, on an equally shared basis. For the extension of this position beyond one calendar year, additional funding will need to be raised by UN Agencies in Viet Nam and/or donors.

The objective is to establish this post of UN Gender Advisor within the UN Policy Team, thus facilitating the inter-agency policy dialogue and collaboration on women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming. However, the UN Policy Team is yet to be operationalized. During the transition phase, as a temporary arrangement, the UN Gender Advisor will be located in the UN Resident Coordinator’s office. The institutional arrangements for the UN Gender Advisor will be reviewed in the near future. The UN Gender Advisor will support the work of the UN Country Team, but will report directly to the two Co-Chairs of the UN Gender Theme Group and, in the interim phase, to the head of the office of the Resident Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the implementation of the UNDAF and One Plan objectives, which is inline with the UNDAF 2006-2010, One Plan 2006-2010 and Government needs, by providing technical assistance to the UNCT, with a special focus on gender mainstreaming within the UN.

Provide substantive guidance and direction to the work of gender focal points within the UN and UN Gender Theme Group by effective coordination, including overseeing and ensuring the implementation of the UN Gender Theme Group workplan for 2007-2008 and assist with the implementation of the One UN Plan 2006-2010 (including M&E of gender-related components).
Provide effective liaison between the GTG and the national and international staff based in the State Managing Agency (SMA) implementing the UN-GoV Joint Programme on Gender Equality.

Promote policy dialogue on gender issues within the UNCT and advance the development and implementation of a UN gender mainstreaming strategy, including the following:

Undertake a UNCT gender capacity assessment and staff gender survey;
Develop recommendations for capacity-building based on the results of the gender capacity assessment;
Implement recommended activities for building gender capacity within the UN;
Ensure consistency in terms of gender equality policy measures, approaches and programmes within different UN agencies.
Active participation in the documentation and sharing of lessons and good practices;
Update the UNCT on new developments in the area of gender equality and gender mainstreaming methodologies.
Coordinate and provide technical assistance within the UNCT in the area of gender, including the development and implementation of reporting obligations, documentation of good practices, the preparation of policy papers, and related submissions in all areas of gender equality.
Contribute to UN institutional knowledge through active participation in the documentation and sharing of lessons and good practices and network within the international donor community to strengthen partnerships.

Competencies

Has strong managerial competency with experience in results based management and results oriented approach to project and programme implementation.
Ability to apply gender and development theory to the specific country context of Viet Nam and to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome gender-related challenges

Communications and Networking

Has excellent oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors.
Has excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.
Has demonstrated gender knowledge and experience in working on improving access to justice and pro-poor justice sector reform and existing networks of experts and policy makers.
Maturity and confidence and cross cultural skills in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government

Knowledge Management and Learning

Ability to lead strategic planning, change management, results-based project management
Shares knowledge and experience
Actively supporting UNCT on gender mainstreaming through transfer of knowledge and tools

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently demonstrates openness, positive, constructive ways of working toward change and the ability to manage complexities
Remains calm and in control even under pressure
Competent in leading team and creating team spirit, stimulating team members to produce quality outputs in a timely and transparent fashion
Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations, both within the UN system and externally.
Demonstrated capacity to be innovative and flexible.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced post-graduate university degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, including Gender studies or related fields.
A minimum of 5 years OF relevant working experience in the area of development and gender issues (both globally and in Vietnam), including policy and programme implementation related to the promotion of gender equality and programme management experience.
Strong gender analysis skills in a theoretical and practical sense, with hands-on experience in working at a country level on gender mainstreaming across various stakeholders preferable.
Strong analytical and strategic planning skills and ability to advise senior management and senior officials.
Ability to conduct high-level discussions and negotiations in a productive manner with senior government officials, representatives of international organizations, civil society groups and experts in related fields.
Excellent communications skills, strong interpersonal and networking skills.
Practical experience with coordination and facilitation of multiple partners.
Prior experience with United Nations agencies would be desirable.
Prior professional experience in Vietnam.
Demonstrated experience working in a coordination role across multiple government and international development agencies would be desirable.
Excellent knowledge of institutional mandates, polices and guidelines to inform gender-sensitive programming in Vietnam.
Ability to prepare succinct, analytical reports.
Fluency in spoken and written English. Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.