Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel:   

If the successful individual is not already located at the duty station, UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements. Any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions are also covered.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is contributing to the achievement of national development in Jordan. Our work is based on a number of national strategic development frameworks including the UNDP Strategic Plan, UNDP Gender Equality Strategy as well as the SDGs and Agenda 2030. At the national level, UNDP is guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD), which is based on an extensive UN Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the overall UN Sustainable Development Assistance Framework (UNSDAF).

The Central Team is a mixed skill-set team focused on building synergies, coherence and quality in programming and operations to allow for greater agility in its business model that can support high quality and timely delivery of projects to development partners, counterparts, and stakeholders. The unit ensures coherence across program deliveries, communication, monitoring and evaluation, financial reporting, and programmatic mainstreaming of the cross-cutting priorities of gender equality, youth, and innovation. The unit also leads the UNDP Gender Focal Team comprised of gender focal points from all office units and the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal, a corporate gender equality initiative promoting gender mainstreaming across programs and operations. In 2021, UNDP Jordan was awarded the Silver level of the Gender Equality Seal.

Within the Central Team, the Gender Equality Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative with second reporting line to the Resident Representative to lead the process of mainstreaming gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as youth in the UNDP country office at all levels. The sections below specifically identify the scope of work.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will report directly to the Deputy Resident Representative with second reporting line to the Resident Representative.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Coordination and technical gender mainstreaming

• Develop and implement the Action Plan for achieving the gold level Gender Equality Seal and lead the assessment and certification process in close collaboration with the Gender Focal Team, senior management, and UNDP Regional Hub Gender Team.
• Lead gender equality initiatives of the Gender Focal Team including coordination meetings, its action plan, learning events, UNDP Book Club, and any other advocacy initiatives.
• Support programs and project managers in gender mainstreaming through developing comprehensive gender-responsive results frameworks, TORs, gender action plans, and budgets in line with international and national commitments on gender equality.
• Support program and project evaluations ensuring that gender concerns are clearly reflected and mainstreamed in the process.
• Support senior management in all areas of inter-agency gender coordination and lead UNDP’s contribution to the Gender Task Team (GTT) under UNCT and the UNCT-SWAP gender equality scorecard exercise,  the Protection Working Group, the SGBV sub-working group, the PSEA Network, UNDP Regional Gender Focal Point Network, and any other groups coordinating initiatives relevant to the incumbent’s scope of work including coordination groups on youth.
• Strengthen office initiatives against Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and coordinate closely with headquarters and The Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate (OVRA) to ensure compliance with all operational requirements.
• Develop UNDP personnel’s capacities on gender equality policies and program tools and requirements by facilitating regular trainings and learning opportunities.

Mainstreaming of youth as a cross-cutting priority

• In collaboration with the Youth Focal Point, lead the roll-out of the Country Office Youth Strategy, identify new entry points for mainstreaming of youth within program teams and build the capacity of staff to apply a youth-centered lens to all work.
• In collaboration with the Youth Focal Team, develop and implement an action plan on youth and lead the engagement of all units.

Strategic policy advice

• Contribute to the Policy Advisory Team, a matrix team led by the Senior Economic Advisor, by supporting the coordination and development of research papers, policy notes, and partnerships.
• Develop gender analyses and provide advisory on gender equality initiatives to support inclusive engagement of women in the development assistance provided by program teams.
• Identify new entry points and initiatives in collaboration with program teams for UNDP Jordan to strengthen UNDP’s response to gender inequality national and local level including the response to gender-based violence (GBV).

Communication, advocacy, and partnership building

• In collaboration with the Communications Officer and the Gender Focal Team, develop and execute innovative and inspiring advocacy campaigns during International Women’s Week, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence as well as for any other occasion including campaigns relating to youth.
• Build and nurture partnerships with gender equality and youth rights advocates to amplify voices to influence decision-making processes that shape lives of women and youth
• Seek out and expand UNDP’s strategic alliances with international stakeholders to strengthen partnerships on women’s rights issues and maintain active partnerships with the international community on women’s issues and rights of youth to enhance collaboration and resource mobilization.
• At the request of senior management, represent UNDP in conferences and meetings relating to gender equality and youth.

Senior management support, business development, and programmatic quality assurance

• Support development and review of concept notes, project documents and other written outputs relating to any area of work of UNDP.
• Participate in internal and external meetings as note taker and rapporteur.
• Undertake research, draft write-ups, and prepare presentations relating to any area of work of UNDP.
• Support audits, evaluations, financial reporting, donor meetings, and any other tasks within the capacity of the incumbent.

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience