UN WOMEN Jobs - 114490- Gender Equality Specialist

Gender Equality Specialist - (Re-Advertised)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO

Type of Contract :

TA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Feb-24 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

364 days

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

728 days

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.

Through the General Assembly Resolutions 75/233 on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) and 72/279 on UN repositioning, the United Nations Development System (UNDS) is presented with a mandate to transform in order to respond to the ambition of the 2030 Agenda. Indeed, the 2020 QCPR places strong emphasis on the fundamental importance of promoting gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, noting the multiplier effect for achieving sustained and inclusive economic growth, poverty eradication and sustainable development. It calls upon all entities of the UNDS to continue to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality by enhancing and accelerating gender mainstreaming through the full implementation of the UNCT performance indicators for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) (the “UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard”) and calls on UN entities to draw on gender expertise, including in UN Women, to assist with gender mainstreaming in the preparation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. As also recognized by the UNSDG Guidance for the Cooperation Framework, gender equality and women’s empowerment should be mainstreamed through UN programming, and it is identified as a priority for the Decade of Action and as crucial to national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Against this backdrop, the imperative underscored by UN repositioning processes and the 2020 QCPR is for the UNDS to accelerate joint efforts to support the implementation and advancement of GEWE commitments across the SDGs, particularly at the country level where it matters the most, with the new Cooperation Frameworks providing a vehicle to drive collective UN support to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

In Burkina Faso, inequalities between men and women exist and persist despite the actions taken over the past decades for the advancement of women and the reduction of gender-related inequalities. Socio-cultural values are at the root of many forms of discrimination against women, which maintain the inequalities observed. The impact of conflict including climate change on women and girls is unprecedent in Burkina Faso, taking into consideration that more than the half of population of the country are women/girls. The population, composed of 51.3% women, is characterized by its extreme youth (50% of the population is under 16 years old, 30.4% of young people are between 15 and 35 years old) and by its high rural nature (77.3% live in rural areas)The Government of Burkina Faso has drawn up and adopted a National Development Policy (PNDES-II) 2021-2025 which is the basis for construction of the 2022-2025 Transition Action Plan (PAT) and then the Action Plan for Stabilization and Development (PA-SD)in the context of the Transition. The PNDES II is part of a development plan focused on peace, security, justice, human rights and the transformation of the structure of the economy. Burkina Faso’s gender strategy for the period 2020-2024 aims to promote the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and aims at two main impacts namely: (i) the protection of the rights of women and girls is guaranteed and (ii) social and gender inequalities are reduced and women are promoted as a dynamic actor in the development. Women's organizations are severely affected by insecurity and political instability in Burkina Faso. However, they remain dynamic in the field, organizing events for the consolidation of peace and security, the fight against GBV and the economic empowerment of women and girls, among others. Burkina Faso is implementing its third National Action Plan of the Women-Peace-Security" Agenda, which is the national reference for taking into account the fundamental rights, specific needs and strategic interests of women and girls in peace and security processes. The implementation of this plan, drawn up over the period 2023-2025, will strengthen women's participation in the process of maintaining peace, security and combating violence against women and girls, especially in this context of transition marked by violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism. UNWOMEN is committed to support the implementation of peacebuilding processes during the transition in a shared responsibilities between the Government, technical partners and civil society organizations.

In 2022, global gender gap index for Burkina Faso was 0.66 index.

As Gender Focal Point in the RCO and as part of the UNCT Gender Group, the Gender Equality Specialist will coordinate the inclusive resource mobilization efforts to ensure that gender interventions in the country are funded sufficiently. The Gender Equality Specialist will also lead efforts to ensure that government institutions, the UNCT, civil society, the private sector, the media and other relevant actors take gender concerns into due account, by coordinating the advocacy efforts of relevant organizations. This includes ensuring effective leadership and engagement of women’s Civil Society Organizations in the design, development and implementation of UNIDAP products to ensure that they are gender responsive and reflect the diverse priorities and needs of women and girls. The Gender Equality Specialist plays a catalytic role to support UN Women mandate of GEWE in the country. It specifies targeted priorities that will be based on the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and identified main gender inequality issues. The Gender Equality Specialist will play a key role to promote women’s leadership and effective implementation of the Women peace and security agenda in Burkina Faso.

With a dual/matrixed reporting to the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office and to the UN Women Regional Director, the Gender Equality Specialist will work with the regional coordination specialist, to support the development and strengthening of a strategic vision for gender mainstreaming for UN joint programming and provide coordination and technical and policy advisory support on women’s rights and gender equality to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UNCT. The Gender Specialist works in close collaboration with UN staff and UN agencies, government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi- and bi-lateral donors and civil society. This function is part of UN Development Coordination Office’s (DCO) efforts, in collaboration with UN Women, to ensure senior level gender expertise and coordination support is available to the UNCT, in order to support coherent gender mainstreaming efforts and progress on gender equality across the SDGs and in alignment with national priorities nexus.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide guidance and coordinate with gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) as a guiding principle during the development and implementation of the Cooperation framework (including the development of the Roadmap, CCA and UNIDAP).

Substantially support the development of a rigorous gender analysis in the Common Country Analysis (CCA) to explain immediate, underlying and root causes of gender inequalities and gender-based discrimination, and differentiated impacts (including through an appreciation of social, legal, political, economic and cultural dynamics that underpin gender inequality);
Review and provide technical guidance and inputs to each step of the United Nations Interim Development Action Plan (UNIDAP) for Burkina Faso to ensure the integration of gender equality considerations: Strategic prioritization, results matrix, joint programmes, monitoring and evaluation;
Provide technical guidance and coordinate the UNCT to strengthen monitoring and reporting on GEWE in the context of the Cooperation Framework;
Coordinate the preparation of analytical and regular progress reports on gender index through UN Info;
Provide technical guidance and advice to the RC, UNCT, development partners and national counterparts on implementation of key UN frameworks and conventions on gender equality;
Provide technical advice to the RC and UNCT for national GEWE policy and legal framework development and monitoring.

Coordinate the fostering coherent inter-agency planning, analysis and action for enhanced accountability to GEWE:

Coordinate the provision of technical advice to Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) and the UNCT on the gender dynamics and opportunities to support inclusive engagement of women in the development assistance provided by the UNCT;
Coordinate with the UNCT on improved accountability tools to ensure the UN’s commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment are tracked and up-scaled as opportunities arise : coordinate the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard exercise and implementation of its Action Plan, and provide coordination and technical advisory support to the application of the UNCT Gender Equality Marker;
Develop, adapt and/or provide tools and training/orientation on gender equality and Humanitarian Action to the RCO, UNCT, UN Women partners and humanitarian actors to enhance skills and knowledge of humanitarian system on gender mainstreaming in disaster preparedness, humanitarian response and early recovery;
Provide technical inputs to joint programmes related to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls priorities highlighted in the Cooperation Framework, such as Spotlight programmes where relevant;
Coordinate the implementation of system-wide UN strategies and frameworks at the country level, such as SG Parity Strategy and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) strategy, and lead related monitoring and reporting;
Support the development, management and coordination of surge mechanisms and services.
Support country staff capacity development to engage in humanitarian response and recovery and in supporting system coordination and responses from a gender perspective;
Coordinate the UNCT Gender Thematic Groups / Gender Results Groups.

Lead the design of women, peace, and security programs and the development of relevant knowledge products:

Lead the provision of policy recommendations and guidance to strategic planning and positioning on women, peace, and security priorities;
Manage the development of programme documents on women, peace, and security and humanitarian action
Lead and provide advice to national bodies for effective implementation of the Women-Peace-security Agenda;
Represent UN Women in interagency groups that influence national policies related to women, peace, and security and humanitarian action;
Contribute substantively and lead existing thematic and gender equality networks to better connect UN Women and partners;
Lead the research, development and presentation of analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence and talking points on women, peace, and security and humanitarian action;
Identify promising practices, technical expertise, and strategic opportunities.

Provide technical support to strategic partnerships building and resource mobilization:

Provide technical and substantive inputs to partnerships and joint resource mobilization strategies related to GEWE and the UNIDAP;
liaise with key stakeholders from Government, academia, civil society, the private sector and key international actors to build and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on women’s rights and gender equality initiatives as needed
Coordinate, and review the development of interagency briefs on possible areas of GEWE cooperation, including identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

Provide coordination support to GEWE intergovernmental and normative work with UNCT and national partners

Coordinate initiatives related to the Commission on the Status of Women, including contributions to relevant global/regional reports and background documents;
Provide technical support gender related SDG consultations;
Facilitate regular review of the progress on implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action;
Coordinate CEDAW, Voluntary National Review and Universal Periodic Review reporting on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
Engage with women’s Civil Society Organisations with respect to the above.

Coordinate and advise the RC and UNCT in the analysis and monitoring of trends, opportunities and challenges around gender equality and women’s empowerment:

Provide technical inputs to research and analysis of the political, social, and economic situation in the region related to the programming and normative areas of gender equality, including supporting the development of Country Gender Equality Briefs/Profiles;
Coordinate accountability in policy dialogues around gender equality and the empowerment of women;
Provide analysis and guidance to the RC and the UNCT on key gender issues and opportunities to support women engaging in and benefitting from the assistance provided by the UNCT;
Advise and lead on entry points for new initiatives for the UN Systems to strengthen capacities for gender equality and to support the advancement of women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Coordinate interagency advocacy and facilitation of knowledge building and management:

Coordinate interagency efforts to establish advocacy networks and linkages to international networks related to gender equality, women’s empowerment; including those relating to reconciliation and humanitarian support;
Develop capacity development initiatives on gender-related issues and priorities as needed;
Provide technical inputs to the development of interagency advocacy strategies and their implementation;
Oversee the process of identifying and synthesizing best practices and lessons learnt and contribute to their dissemination.

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

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

Strong knowledge of general gender equality and women’s empowerment issues;
Strong knowledge of UN system and understanding of inter-agency coordination and UNSDCF processes;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and interact with high level decision makers;
Ability to envision, conceptualize and communicate strategic vision;
Ability to coordinate inter-agency working groups on gender;
Strong gender-focused results-based management, programme implementation and monitoring and evaluation skills;
Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking skills;
Strong negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;
Strong planning, goal-setting and prioritization and organizational skills;
Familiarity with the region and women's rights organizations and networks in the region considered an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science and economics), public policy or international development. A specialization in gender is a strong asset.
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible relevant work experience/ demonstrated track record that combines intellectual, strategic and managerial leadership in development programs. At least 4 years of which should include having undertaken and led substantive programming and research/analysis on gender and development in key issue areas;
Experience in working in emergency and crisis/conflict contexts is desired;
Experience with UN joint programming development and implementation in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment;
Experience working in West Africa is desired,
Experience in UN coordination and joint advocacy and/or programming is required; and
Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with government institutions, CSOs and donors is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English and French is required

Application

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

In accordance with the UN Staff Regulation 4.5 (b) A temporary appointment does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. A temporary appointment shall not be converted to any other type of appointment. This temporary appointment is budgeted for a maximum term of 729 days.

Note

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.