UN WOMEN Jobs - 93475- Gender mainstreaming and Coordination Specialist

Gender mainstreaming and Coordination Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

02-Nov-2020

Application Deadline :

02-Sep-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 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

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. UN Women provides support to Member States’ efforts and priorities in meeting their gender equality goals and for building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system’s work to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action. UN Women supports improved UN coordination and accountability mechanisms and up-scaling of the quality of support provided to Member States in addressing national gender equality priorities.

In Zimbabwe, the United Nations is working to enhance system-wide coherence at national level through the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, the ZUNDAF now referred to as the Zimbabwe UNSDCF - United Nations System Development Cooperation Framework. In 2018 the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office commissioned a Gender Scorecard assessment and recommendations were made to improve the capacities and efforts of the UNCT to deliver on its obligations on gender equality and gender mainstreaming in the ZUNDAF (2016-2020).

The UN Gender Results Group (GRG) is the main coordination mechanism for gender mainstreaming within the ZUNDAF at country level and has the mandate to develop and monitor the implementation of a work plan based on the Gender Scorecard results of 2018. UN Women co-chairs the GRG with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and SME Development (MWAGSMED). The ZUNDAF 2016-2021 will be evaluated in 2020 and thereafter development of a new Strategic Development Framework to be aligned to the country’s National Development Strategy.

UN WOMEN participates in the UN task team on Sustainable Development Goals and Resident Coordinators Team of Policy Advisors. In these roles UN Women is expected to provide policy and technical advice on gender equality related normative frameworks such as CEDAW, Beijing and the PoA, SADC Gender Protocol.

In 2018 Zimbabwe submitted its 6th periodic report to the CEDAW Committee and responded to questions from the Committee in 2020. The year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the country will prepare its report to review implementation of the BPoA. In light of the current responsibilities and additional increased functions, UN Women is looking to engage technical expertise to provide support in delivering on specific responsibilities in system-wide coordination for gender equality and gender mainstreaming during 2019.

The Specialist will be responsible for Gender Mainstreaming and Coordination reporting to the UN Women Country Representative who provides strategic guidance and direction to UN Women’s work in Zimbabwe. In carrying out the functions the Specialist will coordinate and lead the facilitation in the Gender Results Group, represent UN Women in the Programme Management Team (PMT), engage with the UN Country Team as needed, as well as national stakeholders and relevant units in headquarters, such as Programme and Coordination Divisions. The Specialist will also be working closely with the Spotlight Technical Coordinator, to ensure that the Spotlight coordination functions are directly linked to the overall coordination mandate of UN Women and the GRG.

The Gender mainstreaming and Coordination Specialist will also be expected to work closely with the GenCap within the Humanitarian Country Team in providing knowledge and support development of UN Women strategies and gender mainstreaming approaches within a crisis context such as the current economic and health crises in Zimbabwe today.

Reporting to the Country Representative, the Gender mainstreaming and Coordination Specialist will provide support to the Country Representative in strategic programme planning, inter-agency coordination, resource mobilization and partnership building, as well as advocacy and communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide support to the Country Office’s coordination function

Support the UN Women Country Representative in the role of Co-Chair of the GRG, by facilitating the planning and monitoring of implementation of the GRG 2020 and 2021 work plan, including:

Calling for GRG meetings, preparing meeting agendas and minutes of the meetings;
Coordinate the preparation of the GRG Zimbabwe UNSDCF (United Nations System Development Cooperation Framework) 2021 annual work plan and Gender Score Card implementation plan;
Monitor implementation of the GRG Zimbabwe UNSDCF Annual work plan;
Organise the GRG Mid-Year and annual Review meetings and compile reports;
Coordinate UN support to the GoZ in key 2020 events, in particular pre and post CSW processes and International Women’s Day, International Rural Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism;
Provide support to inter-governmental and civil society normative processes such as CEDAW, Beijing and SADC Gender Protocol reporting;
Monitor use of the Gender Marker in agency planning processes;
Provide technical support for gender mainstreaming in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) localization, implementation and reporting process;
Provide technical support for gender mainstreaming in major studies, programme and policy documents and processes of UNCT stakeholders;
Provide coordination support of UN Women interaction with CSOs, including managing the UN Women Think Tank.

2. Provide support to the Country Representative in strategic planning for the Country Office

Provide advice on the formulation of concept notes for UN Women's intervention areas; as well as the office’s strategic note;
Develop country programming processes and products, including the annual workplan, strategic note, and programme/ project documents, the preparation of UNSDCF (United Nations System Development Cooperation Framework) and other UN system joint programming documents;
Follow up on required action/outstanding issues and report on outcome/ result. Alert the Country Representative/ CO on critical contextual issues to be addressed.

3. Provide technical support to the Country Representative and Country Office on interagency coordination

Participate in and provide support to joint inter-agency UN planning processes and similar exercises;
Prepare briefing materials for the CO on issues to be discussed in the UN and other events and meetings;
Provide the Country Representative with analysis and advice for engagement with the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) on the gender dynamics and opportunities to support inclusive engagement of women in the development assistance provided by the UNCT;
Prepare inputs to Common Country Assessment (CCA)/ UNSDCF and other documents;
Provide technical support to UNCT in monitoring and reporting and prepare analytical and regular progress reports on UN Women’s programme experiences;
Provide substantive support and representation at conferences and meetings, joint programme development, joint advocacy and research in collaboration with the Country Representative.

4. Provide technical support and guidance to the development of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts

Manage activities and other promotional events to engage bilateral and multilateral institutions/ donors, private sector and civil society to expand and/or sustain interest and resources for UN Women programmes and joint UN system programmes;
Provide support and advice to the Country Representative in forging and implementing strategic partnerships to increase outreach on UN Women’s work in country;
Provide guidance and advice to development partners and national counterparts on implementation of key UN frameworks and conventions on gender equality;
Provide network and capacity development to partner Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders.

5. Provide advocacy and communication support to the Country Office

Support the management of the CO Annual Communication Strategy;
Provide support to the communications team in the development, implementation, and monitor advocacy campaigns on issues related to Gender Empowerment and Women’s Economic Empowerment, with a specific focus on International Women’s Day, the HeForShe Campaign and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence;
Participate in and contribute to policy dialogues around gender equality and the empowerment of women.

6. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

Manage the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned; ensure incorporation into programme planning;
Manage capacity building exercises;
Quality inputs and technical support provided to UN agencies;
Quality inputs to planning processes and reports;
Quality briefing notes, and communication and advocacy materials;
UN Women partners, including donors provide good feedback on their working relationship with UN Women, based on evaluations and assessments;
Increased awareness of UN Women’s work;
Increased resources mobilized and interest in GEWE among partners and donors.

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
Accountability;
Creative Problem Solving;
Effective Communication;
Inclusive Collaboration;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

Strong knowledge of gender equity and women’s empowerment issues;
Strong knowledge of UN system and understanding of inter-agency coordination processes;
Strong knowledge of results-based programme planning and management;
Strong analytical skills;

Ability to promote and monitor inclusion of gender-specific objectives, indicators, targets and activities in the UN agencies programmes;
Ability to provide advice and support;
Ability to conceptualise and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development to experience;
Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;
Well-developed people management skills;
Effectiveness and pro-activity;
Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance;
Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
Good planning, goal setting and prioritization and organizational skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

Masters’ Degree or its equivalence in development related disciplines, international relations, development studies, gender equality or other social science fields;
A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience:

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience working with inter-agency coordination and strategic programme planning processes;
Strong experience and understanding of gender equality programming of UN Agencies, development partners in Zimbabwe;
Strong understanding of the functions/operations of government ministries;
Previous experience in providing technical support to UN supported government programmes on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
Experience with results and rights-based policy planning and management and the ability to clearly communicate results-based management approaches;
Experience with state party reporting and inter-governmental processes and coordination mechanisms;
Strong understanding of UN technical assistance role in supporting governments and civil society to develop and implement recommendations from state party processes;
Strong experience in working in development and humanitarian situations;
Experience in organising high-level meetings, workshops, and trainings is required;
Experience in coordination work between various partners, including government partners, CSOs and UN agencies, a must;
Knowledge of UN system and understanding of inter-agency coordination processes is required;
Experience in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes;
Experience working in gender equality and women’s rights at the international level is an asset;
Experience working in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (written and oral) is required;
Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.