Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes.  BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data-driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP has achieved significant progress in making gender equality and women’s empowerment integral to its work on human development. The new UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025 builds on the lessons of the previous strategies it has established as the main goal to help governments to shift systems and power structures that generate gender inequalities and women’s disempowerment. It will work through its six signature solutions on poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality; and promote integrated approaches in each thematic area, stronger investments in data and analysis, and the implementation of innovative solutions to transform social norms, and stronger partnerships with UN agencies and with civil society.

The Gender Team (BPPS) has the leading role in the implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, including the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal.  The Seal is a corporate certification process that recognizes good performance of UNDP Country Offices and Regional Hubs in meeting global standards and delivering transformational gender equality results. The Seal generates incentives for solid work on gender equality and empowers managers and Country Office team to enhance our work to support countries’ gender equality goals. The Seal is envisaged as a platform that helps country offices/units to establish a baseline, fine-tune strategies, identify and address gaps and challenges, document innovation and showcase the results and impacts of interventions for gender equality. Evaluations of UNDP’s Gender Work in crisis settings pointed out the need for more articulated support to offices working in crisis contexts.

Scope of Work

The Gender Specialist – Gender Seal in Crisis Countries, under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Gender Equality Seal (Gender Team, BPPS, New York), and working closely with the Policy Advisor on WPS (Gender Team BPPS, NY), will:

1.Coordinate the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal in Country Offices in crisis contexts.

• Coordinate the implementation of the Fifth Round of the Seal for Country Offices in crisis contexts, including the review and update of its methodology to ensure it is tailored to crisis contexts.
• Accompany the gender seal team across all Gender Seal steps, including induction, baseline assessments, improvement period, reporting, and certification process.  Point of liaison of the Seal with crisis countries.
• Provide tailored technical support to selected countries in crisis on how to improve office performance on advancing gender equality and meet Gender Seal standards, prioritizing two aspects: a) power and culture dimensions, enabling environment, and b) programmes and results, helping to strengthening their portfolios – ensuring that Women Peace and Security agenda and gender equality is integrated across Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding, Disaster Risk Reduction, Jobs and Livelihoods, Gender Based Violence etc.
• Engage with Country Offices leadership, portfolio team leaders, and interdisciplinary gender team develop a mission plan and attend missions as requested.
• Coordinate and ensure the deployment of experts, portfolio review services, learning, etc.

2. Strengthen financial investments and guide country offices to meet corporate target for crisis settings on resource allocations and expertise.

• Lead gender equality portfolio reviews and provide recommendations to strengthen transformative results on gender equality, including by ensuring proper understanding and use of the gender marker, and helping COs to meet corporate requirements regarding funding for gender equality (e.g., 15% GEN 3) and gender architecture (e.g., requirement linked to full time experts).
• Strengthen resource mobilization efforts for the expansion of this area of work, including by identifying funding opportunities, preparing funding concepts and proposals, spearheading donor briefings, etc.
• Attend meetings, prepare concept notes, presentations, briefs and talking points for Senior Management as needed, including to communicate and propel ambitious results of the Seal.

3. Ensure effective knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy.

• Create a community with country offices participating in the gender equality seal initiative to foster learning, exchange and find solutions to common challenges.
• Roll out and implement a learning package, including online coaching and mentoring for groups tasked with responsibilities, and facilitating workshops and discussions on relevant topics.
• Identify and share knowledge products, good practices and results within the Gender Seal community and with Gender Seal offices in crisis contexts, as well as the WPS Coordination Group.
• Ensure synergies between the Gender Equality Seal’s Knowledge Management and Learning Plans and other Knowledge Management and Learning initiatives implemented by the Team.
• Ensure that data and good practices from crisis countries are in an accessible format and help to strengthen the narrative of the implementation of the GES 2022-2025; prepare briefs and presentations accordingly.
• Produce a final report with the progress made by crisis offices – from the baseline year to final certification.

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

Institutional Arrangements

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Gender Equality Seal and guided by the Policy Advisor on WPS.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies

Minimum Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender Equality and/or other related disciplines.  OR

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) In the above-mentoned fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum of seven (7) years  (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of comprehensive working experience on gender equality in crisis settings, including with multilateral, bilateral or Civil Society Organizations is required.

Required skills 

Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Understanding and experience providing technical support on gender and crisis, including Women Peace and Security, Disaster Risk Reduction, Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding, Jobs and Livelihoods, Gender Based Violence and other gender related areas of work, is desired.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of global gender mainstreaming standards for organizations, gender equality certification schemes and the gender equality and women’s empowerment goals with the SDG agenda, particularly as applied in crisis contexts, is desired.
• Proven experience in representation, partnerships and resource mobilization is desirable.
• Proven experience in communications, knowledge management and learning, including design and implementation of training programs is an asset.
• Prior experience and knowledge of UNDP operations and structures, particularly those related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, is highly desirable.

Required Language (s): 

• Fluency in English, both written and oral is required.
• Working knowledge of French is an asset.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements