Gender Specialist to support the EU funded SEMPA Project (Level B)

Result of Service

The objective of this assignment is to : • Develop the SEMPA Gender Action Plan and the gender monitoring framework, taking into consideration the UNEP and UNEP/MAP Barcelona-Convention Gender Strategies • Gather gender related data, included sex-disaggregated data from MPA managers and Implementing Partners; • Regularly populating and updating the SEMPA gender monitoring framework with data gathered from the Project; • Enhancing the capacity of all beneficiary countries and implementing partners on gender mainstreaming, through capacity-building/training activities and provision of gender inputs and technical advice, based on the defined SEMPA Gender Action Plan

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

18 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. United Nation’s Environment Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece, to support the EU-funded project entitled “Bolstering Mediterranean biodiversity and MCPAs for nature “ (SEMPA Project), started on 23rd August 2023. The overall objective of the EU-funded SEMPA Project is to enhance and support the implementation of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme for the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP) in line with the Decision IG.22/7 of COP19 of the Barcelona Convention (Athens, Greece, February 2016), as well as to support the beneficiary countries’ efforts in further strengthening and better managing the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), as per Decisions IG.25/11 and IG.25/12 of the COP22 of the Barcelona Convention (Antalya, Türkiye, December 2021). In addition, in line with UNEP and UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention Gender Strategies, the Project design recognizes that gender-mainstreamed integrated monitoring and MPA policies, which include both genders and different social groups in planning and execution, can simultaneously maximize resource protection (through compliance and low resistance) and provide an opportunity for empowerment (through alternative livelihood options and devolved authority). Accordingly, and in line with the approved activities and budget of the SEMPA Project, the Project Management Unit requires the services of a Gender Specialist. Tasks: Under the direct supervision of the SEMPA Project Manager, and under the overall guidance of the QSR/EcAp Head of Unit, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1) Prepare a detailed work plan and timetable of the assignment; 2) Based on the best practices and gaps identified during the Gender Assessment realized under the IMAP-MPA Project and in the framework of the definition of SEMPA objectives, to provide technical support for the development of the SEMPA Gender Action Plan, equally taking into consideration the UNEP and UNEP/MAP -Barcelona Convention Gender Strategies; 3) Collect and gather additional data on gender aspects at national and local level in areas targeted by the SEMPA project and especially its MPA component, including sex-disaggregated data. This includes field visits to 5 beneficiary countries, organization and participation to meetings about gender mainstreaming and monitoring, questionnaires and bilateral discussions with implementing partners. Using the data gathered in the frame of the IMAP-MPA project, the expert is expected to further develop and support at least two opportunities identified in each countries, with a specific MPA and/or country tailored approach. 4) Provide technical inputs and lead capacity building events on Gender for MPA Managers of Beneficiary countries at national (at least one capacity building event in each of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and one for Libya with location – possibly back to back with one of the events mentioned above) and regional level (technical support on gender aspects to SPA/RAC led Regional workshop on effective management of MPAs), based on the recommendations from the Gender Assessment, MPA Forum (2021) and MPA RoadMap, and in synergy with any on-going initiative in the areas. . 5) Provide gender mainstreaming technical inputs to the SEMPA Project Manager for inclusion in the project progress reports and other administrative/reporting processes provided on a regular basis as needed; as well as MAP and UNEP events and platforms as appropriate. 6) Provide technical inputs for the maintenance of the UNEP/MAP database of key partners and stakeholders involved in Gender related activities, in coordination with relevant colleagues of the GEF-funded MedProgramme ensuring synergies between the two projects. 7) Provide technical support to the preparation, and execution of SEMPA Project Steering Committee Meeting with regards to gender component. 8) Provide technical inputs for the preparation of material regarding gender mainstreaming for the purposes of SEMPA project communication activities, and of UNEP/MAP in general. 9) Provide a final consultancy report. Outputs: 1) Detailed work plan and timetable of the assignment are provided and approved (Task 1) 2) SEMPA Gender Action Plan and the gender monitoring framework are developed and approved by the Project Manager (Task 2) 3) Report including all data collected in the frame of the project is prepared after each of the five missions, including assessment of findings from the missions to beneficiary countries, and presented to the Project Steering Committee (Task 3) 3.i. two country missions (linked with the first instalment) 3.ii. two country missions (linked with the second instalment) 3.iii one country mission and cross-cutting checks (linked with the third instalment) 4) Meeting documents and final report of the capacity building events are provided to the SEMPA Project Manager after each of capacity buildings events, including best practices aspects and lessons learnt (Task 4) 4.i. two capacity building events (linked with the first instalment) 4.ii. two capacity building events (linked with the second instalment) 4.iii. two capacity building events and cross-cutting checks (linked with the third instalment) 5) Concrete gender mainstreaming technical reports for each beneficiary countries are developed to support project progress reports, and other planning and reporting processes (Task 5, 6, 7) 6) At least two brief reports on the support to communication activities across the project and UNEP/MAP is delivered (task 8) 7) Final consultancy report is provided (task 9)

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree in the field of environment, law, social sciences, or communication is required; • A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in environmental or international development aid projects, including the execution of technical capacity projects linked to the environment and gender mainstreaming, ideally in the Mediterranean, is required in particular at least in two of the aspects listed below: - Execution of tasks including the analysis of sex-disaggregated data; - Definition, monitoring and reporting on gender mainstreaming activities and projects in the field of the environment - Gathering of data regarding Gender aspects at national and local scale - Capacity building exercises toward local communities on Gender aspects and Women empowerment • Strong analytical skills, ability to effectively articulate and present findings in writing are required; • Good knowledge of the UNEP/MAP system and context in the Mediterranean region is an asset;

Languages

• Fluency (oral and written) in English is required; • Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.