Background and Context:

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a key protection concern in the State of Palestine; according to the 2019 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) survey on violence, which was updated in July 2022, 70.4% of (married or previously married) women between the ages of 15 and 64 experienced violence in the 12 months preceding the survey in the Gaza strip. The disproportionate impacts on women and girls, underpinned by socio-cultural patriarchal norms, which continue to undermine women’s and girl’s rights, were exacerbated after 7 October. The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip remains catastrophic. It has placed 2.2 million people in need of urgent humanitarian aid, internally displaced over 1.7 million, and caused the death of at least 30,228 people (8,400 women, 9,528 men, 12,300 children). Adequate access to humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip is severely limited, especially in the North and Gaza governorates, threatening further loss of life from lack of
food, water, and health care.

GBV is increasingly becoming a known feature of the war in Gaza, with an entire population of women and girls, and increasingly men and boys, being at risk of one or more forms of GBV. Internally displaced women have expressed an acute sense of vulnerability in relation to the safety and security needs of both themselves and their family members. GBV risks are further exacerbated due to severely overcrowded shelters and informal settlements, a lack of dignified and safe bathing or latrine facilities, and severe shortages of food and clean drinking water. These factors have all contributed to a breakdown of coping mechanisms. This in turn has created increased GBV risks to women and girls including, child protection and sexual exploitation and abuse.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

UNFPA Palestine leads the GBV AoR Sub Cluster. UNFPA coordinates multi-sectoral and comprehensive partner interventions through the GBV Area of Responsibility (GBV AoR) Sub Cluster (referred to herein as the GBV SC), as part of the Protection Cluster and with full membership to Inter Cluster Coordination Group. UNFPA is the Chair of the National GBV SC as well as the sub-national sub-cluster in the Gaza Strip. UNFPA also supports the most impactful GBV response projects and efforts focused on GBV prevention and risk mitigation. Due to the scale of the crisis in Gaza and the protection needs of women and girls, UNFPA has expanded the GBV program, the budget and partnership. This expansion is to ensure that many more women and girls have access to safe spaces and comprehensive set of services to those at risk from GBV, and aims to expand availability of these services across Gaza strip. UNFPA is recruiting a dynamic GBV expert to support this expansion and the delivery of quality GBV prevention and response services in Gaza strip. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Head of office for Gaza and direct supervision of the GBViE/GBVSC Specialist.

Role Description:

In the State of Palestine, UNFPA has the responsibility for leading the GBV Sub-Cluster, under the Protection Cluster, as well as overall mandate to lead GBV protection efforts (including prevention and the risk mitigation). In Gaza, the incumbent will have split duties between the GBV sub cluster coordination and the GBV program implementation support to UNFPA implementing partners , ensuring strong partnerships and collaboration across the sector and, promoting the principles of the survivor-centered approach across all relevant services.

You would be responsible for:

1. GBV Sub-Cluster Coordination

▪ Promote shared knowledge and understanding of the GBV guiding principles and tools for effective GBV program management and inter-agency coordination.

▪ Support strengthening the capacity of GBV service providers; supporting inter-agency needs assessments; and monitoring the implementation and quality of GBV service provision, and, promoting effective data and information collection, sharing and analysis.

▪ Identify Sub-Cluster focal points to engage with other relevant sectors/clusters for GBV risk mitigation and survivor referral.

▪ Represent the GBV SC in the Protection Cluster Meeting and the Inter-cluster Coordination Group ICCG when needed.

▪ Support development/Review/Update GBV referral pathways.

▪ Support access to short but essential training such as PSEA, LIVES, PFA especially for frontliners, this at times may require support with translation or direct delivery of trainings in Arabi

▪ Support the development, implementation and monitoring of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) , tools and referral pathway for all actors involved in GBV response. For the GBV Scub-cluster.

▪ Promote awareness of, access to and use of relevant tools and guidelines across clusters to support effective GBV prevention and response.

▪ Facilitate GBV mainstreaming training for other sector responses.

▪ Mentor other clusters in the uptake of GBV mainstreaming tools and monitor their implementation and support implementation of action plans developed by GBV SC.

▪ Support data collection and monitoring across the cluster.

▪ Other activities as agreed with the GBV Sub-cluster Coordinator/GBViE Specialist.

2. GBV Program Management

 Coordinates the rapid implementation of GBV in Emergencies programming according to the IASC GBV Guidelines and the Handbook for Coordination of GBV Interventions in Emergencies.

 Support data collection and consultations in the projects’ lifecycle; monitoring of implementation and drafting of reports.

 Supports UNFPA’s resource mobilization efforts by contributing to proposal development.

 Follow up as needed per individual partner and provide capacity development/training when needed  Support development of internal GBV program strategies and workplans.

 Provide advice, suggestions and comments to the partners on their proposals, supporting development is aligned with the GBV guiding principles

 Conduct / support coordination meetings with the implementing partners, take minutes and ensure they are turned into action points.

 Works closely with the Program Associate to track funds utilization by the implementing partners.

 Other duties as agreed with the GBViE Specialist.

Work Relations:

As part of the coordination team, the Program Officer is supervised by the GBV SC Coordinator / GBViE Specialist in Gaza with a secondary reporting line directly to the Head of the Office. The incumbent further coordinates closely with the Gender/GBV Unit Team Leader as well as other Units to ensure that GBV issues are well addressed in all interventions.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree with a specialization in areas such as gender studies, humanitarian affairs, human rights, law, social sciences, development studies, international relations, project management and/or related social science fields.

2 additional years of relevant experience will be considered if the candidate holds a completed Bachelors’ degree.

Knowledge and Experience:

▪ At least 2 years working on GBV preferably dealing with humanitarian projects and in the Arab States region.

▪ Experience leading inter-agency coordination mechanisms with a wide range of stakeholders.

▪ Demonstrable knowledge of the critical components to facilitate effective inter-agency coordination.

▪ Experience in utilizing the following international tools: GBV Coordination Handbook, GBV Standard Operating Procedures; GBV Information Management System; IASC GBV Guidelines; IASC Gender Handbook; GBV Coordination Handbook; WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations.

▪ Awareness and demonstrable knowledge of how GBV manifests in humanitarian settings and ability to describe context-specific prevention and response actions.

▪ Demonstrable knowledge of humanitarian emergency operations, including the Cluster System and Humanitarian Program Cycle and roles and responsibilities of key humanitarian actors.

▪ Ability to self-manage, emotional intelligence, empathy, team spirit, conflict management and negotiating skills.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is essential.

Required Competencies:

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,

Embracing cultural diversity,

Embracing change

Core Competencies:

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Compensation and Benefits:

 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.