Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognizes the explicit link between human development and gender equality. In order for development to be sustainable, the equal rights of both men and women must be upheld. In Sierra Leone, discrimination based on gender is commonplace. In this patriarchal society, women struggle more than men to own land, to obtain an education, to earn a good living, to access justice and to participate in decision making locally and internationally.

The situation faced by women in Sierra Leone has been exacerbated by the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the resulting Public Health Emergency in the country. In addition to the direct impacts of the virus, the Public Health Emergency is having devastating secondary social and economic impacts. Vulnerable groups, including women and adolescent girls, are particularly affected. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that females are more frequently infected by EVD; however as a result of the crisis, women are not accessing reproductive and maternal healthcare, women’s livelihoods are suffering, adolescent girls are more likely to fall pregnant or enter into early marriage as a result of schools being closed, EVD widows cannot inherit their husband’s land due to restrictive customary laws and it is likely that sexual and gender based violence is on the rise.

The importance of strengthened gender capacities for UNDP Sierra Leone 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 a stronger relationship with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

The Gender Specialist will guarantee that the work of UNDP for Ebola response and early recovery will address the specific plight of women and adolescent girls, who are disproportionately affected by the social and economic impacts of the crisis.

• Ensure that gender is mainstreamed in the Ebola early recovery pillar, which is being led by UNDP;
• Work closely with the Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development cluster head and programme managers to ensure that gender is mainstreamed in project design and implementation in relation with the Ebola crisis;
• Assist the UN Country Team in implementing the Ebola Gender Mainstreaming Strategy;
• Create a pool of resources and tools on gender equality for use by all UNDP staff;
• Establish a list of gender resource persons in Sierra Leone.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Building Strategic Partnerships

Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents innovative strategies and new approaches.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates same in own work;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change

• Documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system;
• Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

Data gathering and implementation of management systems

• Uses information/databases/other management systems;
• Provides inputs to the development of simple system components;
• Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems.

Client Orientation

Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
• Responds to client needs promptly.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

Gathering and disseminating information

• Gathers and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems;
• Prepares timely inputs to reports;

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making;

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s Degree in Gender Studies or a related discipline.

Experience

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience is required at the national or international level;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), and demonstrated knowledge of emerging gender issues.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English (Both written and spoken).