The Pacific region is facing considerable economic and social development challenges due to the increasing impact of climate change and geo-hazards. At the same time, development in these countries is potentially increasing this vulnerability to climate change and disasters. The Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), endorsed in 2016 by Pacific leaders, demonstrates a clear recognition that managing climate change and disaster related risk must be undertaken in the context of economic development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Governance for Resilience (Gov4Res) Project works with Pacific governments to ensure that countries adapt their decision making and governance systems towards more resilient development. The projects theory of change rests on a core assumption that Pacific Island people will be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and disasters if countries manage all development through a risk informed approach. This is consistent with the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific which calls for the ‘mainstreaming’ of climate and disaster risk treating risk management as fundamental to all development decisions.

The Gov4Res Project two outcome areas to work with countries across the region to address these risks by development: 1) Pacific Island Country Governance Systems enable gender and socially inclusive Resilient Development; 2) Pacific Island Countries Weave Learning to Advocate for and Communicate gender and socially inclusive resilient Development.

UNDP is partnering with a range of partners to deliver this project across the Pacific including Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO).

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Governance for Resilience Project Manager based in UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, the Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist will lead the integration and implementation of gender equality and social inclusion within the design, approach and learning of the project. The role will have a strong emphasis on supporting the revision and updating of the Gov4Res GESI action plan and providing guidance and capacity support to all Gov4Res team members in integrating GESI.

Provide strategic direction and lead the integration of GESI within the project design and implementation

• Provide strategic direction on the delivery of GESI outcomes and GESI integration for the Gov4Res project
• Identify critical project areas for GESI interventions
• Support the review, revision and updating of the Gov4Res Gender Action Plan and ensure it is reflecting both gender and social inclusion components
• Contribute to planning, monitoring and reporting of the project and integrate GESI considerations into all of these processes
• Directly contribute to the achievement of project outputs and outcomes by mainstreaming GESI.
• Analyse and conduct research on the GESI dimensions in resilient development and provide strategic guidance in the preparation of the country work plans, annual project work plan, annual report and other documents of the project
• Ensure that all tools, checklists, knowledge products and guidance notes developed by the project are cognisant of GESI
• Identify and utilize Pacific-specific and contextually relevant tools, approaches and organisations/networks to ensure GESI is integrated in a contextually appropriate way
• In close collaboration with the monitoring and evaluation specialist, communicate project successes and document project learning around GESI
• Participate in project planning and reviews, and support the design of strategies to enhance impact
• Conduct and support monitoring and evaluation exercises to measure impact of GESI components

Support and advise mainstreaming of GESI into demonstration projects and institutional strengthening of government partners

• Provide high-level technical assistance and advice to national counterparts and their institutions on GESI in relation to strategic planning, legal and regulatory frameworks, gender responsive planning and budgeting, public financial management and sectoral activities to support realisation of GESI informed development
• Support and coordinate with GESI experts at the national level to contextualise GESI initiatives through all demonstration projects and country strategy activities
• Support GESI experts to monitor and analyse demonstration projects and in-country activities to ensure they are achieving outputs from a GESI perspective
• Identify any capacity development needs with regard to GESI staff and design and facilitate capacity development initiatives to mainstream GESI.
• Institutionalise and share best practices and knowledge learned and products with global, regional and country partners to build capacity of practitioners and disseminate these to key audiences
• Work closely with Gov4Res Resilience Officers to support the integration and consideration of GESI in country strategies, country-based partnerships and training, workshops and national peer learning opportunities

Foster networking and partnerships for advocacy and change

• Plan and manage peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and where there is value and interest, development and operation of regional communities of practice (COP), with the aim of facilitating knowledge and experience sharing, coordination and advancement, on relevant issues in line with the SDG principle of Leaving No One Behind.
• Facilitate joint learning and advocacy between country partners with common goals.
• Prepare knowledge products from peer-to-peer exchanges including policy briefs, position statements, guidance and training material, toolkits etc.
• Provide strategic advice and input into leadership and regional learning opportunities, to ensure GESI are central components
• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners to reinforce cooperation and identify opportunities for advocacy to promote GESI informed development and pacific-led resilient development
• Identify regional partnerships to advocate, influence and communicate Pacific-led GESI for Resilient Development
• Advise internal and external partners on enhancing engagement and participation of key stakeholders, to maximise outreach and impact of project activities

Provide and advise on training and capacity building for project staff and partners

• Identify, design and lead capacity building initiatives and training packages on GESI for project stakeholders, particularly core project staff
• Identify or create training materials and training manuals that are contextualised and appropriate for project team and partners
• Review training plans, materials and methodologies for all project outcome areas and propose recommendations to GESI integration
• Organise and implement training and capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of partners
• Lead the implementation of innovative learning and advocacy practices for GESI integration that are appropriate and available for the Pacific context and audience

Actively support implementation of the UNDP Pacific Office GESI Action Plan

• Ensure alignment with organizational objectives and priorities outlined in the UNDP Pacific Office GESI Action Plan and Multi-Country Program Document.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

• Very high standard of spoken and written English is required.