AddressBackground
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.
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 through the implementation of Gender Equality Global Program 2023-2025.
Position Purpose
The Gender Specialist- Accountability, Reporting and Research, under the direct supervision of the Head of Gender, will ensure UNDP is accountable for its commitments to gender equality in line with the Strategic Plan and the Gender Equality Strategy; lead UNDP’s efforts to track financial investments for gender equality; lead coordination of and support the provision of reliable gender related data for decision making; and keep the Gender Team and the GPN abreast of the main advances on data, evidence and debates regarding the priorities reflected in of the Gender Equality Strategy.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure UNDP is accountable for its commitments to gender equality in line with the Strategic Plan and the Gender Equality Strategy.
Coordinate UNDP’s reporting including the preparation of UNDP’s Annual Report on the Implementation of the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy (official and glossy version), the UN system Wide Acceleration Plan, and the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP) Annual Report. Provide technical and coordination support for the preparation, convening and follow-up of the Gender Steering and Implementation Committee (GSIC), including liaising with focal points, preparing analytical background documentation and follow-up minutes and reports. Act as evaluation focal point for the Gender Team, including by liaising with the UNDP Independent Evaluation Office; engaging in corporate gender evaluations and/or other corporate evaluations as needed; preparing management responses and leading pro-actively and tracking the implementation of evaluation recommendations. Lead and provide technical guidance for the Reporting and evaluation of the Gender Equality Global Programme 2023-2025, in line with UNDP’s policies and practices (POPP and other quality assurance initiatives as the Transparency Index Assessment).Lead UNDP’s efforts to track financial investments for gender equality.
Coordinate periodic reviews of the gender marker, analyze, and disseminate their results among participant country offices and the organization in general. Propose and guide the implementation of changes in the gender marker to ensure accurate tracking of resources, including the update of the gender marker’s guidance note, its’ dissemination and follow-up of recommendations (e.g., random checks). Represent UNDP in inter-agency fora on the implementation of gender markers and other mechanisms to track financial investments for gender equality. Provide technical advice and support to strengthen UNDP’s resource mobilization for gender equality (e.g., Global trends, financial climate, etc.).Lead coordination of and support the provision of reliable gender related data for decision making.
Collect and analyze relevant corporate data including from the Gender Marker, the ROAR, or the Gender Seal to enable the organization to assess progress against the Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025 and support decision making processes. Liaise with Regional Hub/Gender Teams and Country Offices to identify their data needs and interests, to strengthen their capacities to effectively integrate gender equality in their work. Develop basic country profiles for the data dashboard and liaise with the Human Development Report Offices (HQ, RH and CO) to enhance gender data production and analytics across a range of areas linked to UNDPs signature solutions and portfolios – e.g., climate change, economic growth, governance – and global, regional, and national priorities.Keep the Gender Team and the GPN abreast of the main advances on data, evidence and debates regarding the priorities reflected in of the Gender Equality Strategy.
Keep track of evidence and development/updating of indexes related to gender equality and development. Keep track of cutting-edge feminist research and publications in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment, with a particular focus in the priorities identified in the Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025. Ensure the Gender Team – including regional teams- is aware of last research and publications in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment, including by leading internal discussion sessions and producing analytical inputs for proposals, corporate reports, and guidance notes. Provide content for the activities of the Gender Equality Community of Practice (CoP) from the tracking of evidence, cutting-edge research, and publications.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results:
Think Innovatively:
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.Learn Continuously:
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.Adapt with Agility:
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.Act with Determination:
Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.Engage and Partner:
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.Cross-Functional & Technical:
2030 Agenda People: Gender
2030 Agenda People: Gender
Gender Corporate Reporting.2030 Agenda People: Gender
Gender and Institutional Development.Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Business Development: Knowledge Generation
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.Business Management: Working with Evidence and Data
Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.Business Management: Portfolio Management
Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, international development, political or social sciences, gender studies or related field is required. OR A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the above- mentioned fields of study, in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum of five (5) years of work (with master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor’s degree) in progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality and gender mainstreaming, with a focus in data, accountability and Research is required. Knowledge and experience working with UN accountability tools is desired. Experience managing complex consultative processes within large organizations (global, regional and/or local level) is desired. Field experience (regional or country level) working with UNDP or the UN System on gender equality is an additional benefit. Proven analytical and written skills in English with publications an added plus.Language:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN language is desirable. DisclaimerImportant information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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.
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