UNIFEM (Part of UN Women). Nairobi, Kenya (with frequent travel to Somalia).
Closing date: October 29, 2010.
Description:
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with frequent travel to Somalia and relocation when
situation permits)
Somalia provides a unique challenge in aid coordination. The country requires
the concurrent and continual delivery of a complex mix of relief, recovery, and
development interventions in a deeply insecure and unpredictable operating
environment. Despite historical instability, the UN and World Bank undertook the
Somali Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) as a step towards the achievement of peace,
security, recovery and development. The output of the JNA process was the
Reconstruction and Development Framework (RDF) which lays out the priorities of
Somalis to be achieved between 2008 and 2012.
In response to the RDF, the UN Country Team (UNCT) produced a joint UN
Transition Plan for Somalia (UNTP). The UNTP sets out what the UN aims to
achieve over the course of 2008-2010, and how the UN aims to achieve it. For
2011-15 the UNCT is in the process of developing an UN Somali Assistance
Strategy (UNSAS) to carry on the work of the UNTP. Since no single agency has
the range of funds, skills, knowledge, and experience to tackle the
multi-dimensional causes of poverty; a strong planning and coordination
capacity, especially for the strategic analysis and results-based planning
needed to integrate the UN’s operational response to transition challenges, is
required. An integrated approach will increase the impact of the UN System on
poverty reduction and reduce the transaction costs of the national authorities
and other key stakeholders (who include: National and local authorities, UN
Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UN agencies, staff of IASC members at
headquarters and in the field, the international financial institutions,
representatives of donor countries/organizations, non-governmental organization
representatives and other members of the humanitarian community, senior members
of the government at national and provincial levels, civil society, church
groups, civilian and military authorities, traditional leaders and other key
actors, especially in conflict areas, local and international press, visiting
political, donor and humanitarian missions); strengthen national capacity for
managing development assistance; and increase recognition by national
authorities and other partners, of the strength of the UN System when it works
as a coherent whole.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to Somalia and expected to relocate
to Somalia when the security situation, the position is meant to bring
substantive advisory support to multiple agency stakeholders and decision-makers
on the strategic development and expansion of gender programming as well as
gender mainstreaming. Work closely with all agencies and stakeholders to
strengthen and promote gender mainstreaming in programmes and provide thematic
expertise on gender to the UN Programme Working Group (PWG), Outcome Groups in
the common programming areas, Joint Programmes and projects and any
strategy/policy development work that the RC/HC’s office may undertake or agree
to assist in. The Gender Advisor is responsible for explaining and disseminating
information about compliance of agency standards in Gender programming within
grant management, monitoring, evaluation and learning and reporting on impact of
Gender Mainstreaming. The Gender Advisor will co-chair the gender theme group.
The position holder will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy
Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM (Part of UN Women) East and Horn of Africa
Regional Office (until a programme manager for Somalia is in place) and in
collaboration with the Head of the Resident Coordinators Office (RC).
The RC/HC’s office is divided into four, with most key positions currently based
in Nairobi. From this central office, the three other offices in Somaliland,
Puntland and South-Central zones are coordinated. Given this situation, the
position involves, frequent travel and remote management as well as making use
of e-technologies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The position holder will work in close collaboration with all UN agencies in
Somalia. The Adviser will be providing strategic policy and technical advice on
how gender equality can be addressed in the Somali context and how global
commitments can be an integral part of the work of the UN in Somalia. More
specifically, the Gender Adviser will have the following responsibilities:
Gender Thematic Support
Manage operational planning of Gender Mainstreaming, Learning and Accountability
Initiative activities on behalf of the RC/HC office;
Manage RC/HC office’s contributions of technical and thematic inputs for gender
mainstreaming in strategic planning, programme design and partnerships;
Co-design, coordinate and lead project and/or programme assessments and
evaluations of joint actions;
Assist RC/HC office in negotiating for gender equality with the donors, UN
agencies and state and non-state partners;
Visit and assess joint programmes and to provide concrete support in improving
gender-related elements;
Co-design, coordinate and supervise all inter-agency level gender research;
Co-design, co-develop and co-lead with the Gender Theme Group and the Outcome
Leads workshops and conferences regarding gender programming or planning;
Work closely with RC/HC Office to organize and mainstream gender into the
office’s strategic planning, programme development, and ongoing learning and
impact initiatives for gender programming;
Chair the Gender Theme Group;
Develop Gender Mainstreaming Impact reports in conjunction with the Gender Theme
Group and Outcome Leads;
Identify and pursue strategic gender mainstreaming funding opportunities with
the agencies for gender programming and mainstreaming;
Actively seek to develop and coordinate appropriate inter-agency programme
linkages to promote good practices and learning.
Management
Supervise any consultants and their work plans and schedules to meet
inter-agency gender support needs, joint gender audits & reviews to which the
RC/HC office may commit, and Joint Programme quality priorities with regard to
gender equality;
Negotiate with Country Directors and Deputy Directors of agencies on their/their
agency’s participation in specific and time sensitive gender mainstreaming
initiatives and contribute to advancing gender thematic work in the joint
actions
Identify opportunities for technical capacity development for the gender focal
points of the agencies and for the Gender Theme Group;
Provide quality gender equality orientation, training and development for gender
focal points;
Within the inter-agency framework and business plans, identify opportunities for
inter-agency collaboration such as cross-agency visits and other staff
development initiatives for the purpose of improving capacity for gender
equality.
Liaison
Identify and develop cross-agency relationships to further advance gender
mainstreaming in strategic plans and programmes;
Ensure strategic planning and programming have solicited and incorporated inputs
and shared inter-agency goals regarding gender
Develop both internal and external opportunities for internal and external
audiences, particularly the governments, to share knowledge and experiences from
the from gender mainstreaming;
To act as liaison person with the agencies, UN offices in Somalia, governments
and the Gender Theme Group on all matters related to the gender mainstreaming in
Joint actions;
Represent Gender Theme Group in UNCT meetings and other foras as may be
required;
In working with Gender Theme Group, ensure the provision of quality information
and advance agency-wide learning about inter-agency gender mainstreaming to
stakeholders, such as Operations and Communication units/departments of the
agencies. This could include data for funding proposals, financial and human
resource information, donor reports, stories for communication, media responses,
external changes within Somalia and learning from others. This is to be done
with an objective that Operations and Communication staff are not outside the
scope of gender mainstreaming work and receive adequate information that may
influence their work for better.
Competencies:
Corporate Competencies:
Demonstrates integrity and commitment to UN principles and values and ethical
standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and
adaptability;
Self-management, emotional intelligence and conflict management;
Analytical and strategic thinking/results orientation;
Knowledge sharing.
Technical/Functional:
Substantive knowledge and understanding specifically on gender equality issues
as well as more broadly, human rights and development cooperation;
Ability to lead strategic planning processes and resource based management
Substantive experience with development issues in the Horn of Africa;
Strong skills in monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Experience in programme management, coordination and implementation and
familiarity with results-based management and rights-based programming;
Excellent writing skills with demonstrated ability to carry out research, to
contribute to the formulation of policies, procedures and guidelines;
Familiarity with UN system;
Strong partnership development skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complex issues and
partnerships;
Fluency in MS Word and other relevant computer applications/MS office
applications;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
Ability to travel extensively and live and work in hardship conditions;
Sound knowledge of the UN system’s procedures and operational activities for
development is a strong advantage;
Familiarity with the UN, particularly the UN Reform Agenda;
Ability to multi-task in a complex and virtual organizational structure;
Demonstrated ability to assume leadership within a virtual and real team
context;
Prior experience in the UN and distance work relationships in virtual teams is
highly desirable;
Ability to work well and influence others within many levels of the UN agencies;
Ability both to liaise effectively with individual members of technical and
sector working groups
Capacity to advise on the development of strategic long-range gender
programmatic vision together with technical and sector working teams;
Ability to travel extensively and live work in hardship conditions.
Behavioral:
Excellent interpersonal communications skills, initiative and dynamism;
Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment
Maturity, ability to take decisions under pressure and ability to deal with
matters that are politically or culturally sensitive
Leads teams effectively, motivates and manages teams well, inspiring confidence
in others; works well as a member of a team
Builds strong relationships with both internal and external actors;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Team management experience and leadership skills in mentoring staff in a team
environment;
Skills and experience in supporting others in mainstreaming gender equality
goals in programme design; implementation, monitoring and evaluating in
development and humanitarian contexts
Ability to work with people from Joint Programmes to ensure strategic programme
alignment of partner profile and grants with gender equality needs and
direction.
Required Skills and Experience:
Advanced degree or equivalent in social science (i.e. international development
studies, gender/women’s studies, economics, sociology, etc.)
Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in providing management advisory
services and technical support on gender equality at the international level
with a minimum of 5 years in crisis or post-conflict countries.
Work experience in Islamic societies and/or in Africa and the Arab worlds, is
desirable.
Excellent gender analytical skills at both programme and policy levels. Specific
expertise on gender issues in relation to development, recovery and humanitarian
work is essential. Knowledge and understanding of gender issues in relation to
organizational development is also an advantage.
Proven experience in challenging transition and development coordination and
resource mobilization.
Work experience in two or more of African regions.
Sound working knowledge of humanitarian actions and programmes.
Experience in multi-location based working environment; ability to multi-task in
a complex and virtual organizational structure; and prior experience in the UN
system and distance work relationships in virtual teams is highly desirable.
Fluency in English required.
Knowledge or Arabic and/or Af Soomaali will be an asset.
To Apply:
Please apply online at: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=19692
All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UNIFEM Personal
History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from
http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc.
Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications
without the completed UNIFEM P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will
not be considered for further assessment.
Application Deadline: 29 October 2010.
