Gender Programme Specialist, P-3, Kathmandu, Nepal (Temporary Appointment initially for 7 months)

In alignment with the Gender Action Plan (GAP), the role of the Gender Programme Specialist is primarily technical and programmatic, providing support to the Regional Gender Adviser in (1) gender technical guidance/operational areas, (2) knowledge sharing and capacity building support to the country offices, (3) supporting to document and ensure gender results are effectively reported, (4) support evidence generation and studies, developing partnerships and (5) contributing to cross sectoral support towards gender equality in alignment with the Gender Action Plan. S/he supports the monitoring of high quality gender programming/projects across sectors in alignment with the Gender Action Plan.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

In alignment with the Gender Action Plan (GAP), the role of the Gender Programme Specialist is primarily technical and programmatic, providing support to the Regional Gender Adviser in (1) gender technical guidance/operational areas, (2) knowledge sharing and capacity building support to the country offices, (3) supporting to document and ensure gender results are effectively reported, (4) support evidence generation and studies, developing partnerships and (5) contributing to cross sectoral support towards gender equality in alignment with the Gender Action Plan. S/he supports the monitoring of high quality gender programming/projects across sectors in alignment with the Gender Action Plan.

Key Expected Results

• Sectoral and cross-sectoral programmes/projects on gender are effectively and efficiently supported and implemented in alignment with the Gender Action Plan's (GAP) four targeted gender priorities and country/ regional/ sectoral priorities through the timely and systematic provision of coordination and technical expertise on gender.
• The performance of the gender programmes are timely monitored, analyzed and evaluated, and the findings of the measurement and research are integrated into the planning and reporting. Programmatic financial resources allocated to gender programming and results are effectively planned and managed for cost-efficient utilization, and the progress on the gender programme expenditures are timely monitored and reported.
• Knowledge, information and best practices on effective gender programming is generated, managed and shared within internal networks and with external partners to support programmes in changing gender disadvantage and discrimination.
• Overall, this Gender Programme Specialist will support progress in the four target priorities for gender, the five performance benchmarks, and the seven results areas specified globally for UNICEF in the Gender Action Plan (GAP).
   

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1)  Support to quality assurance and technical support on gender program development and planning

• Actively support the Regional Gender Adviser (RGA) in all aspects of the Regional portfolio on gender to support the strategic inclusion of gender in country-specific programming.
• Under the guidance of the RGA, review key country programme planning documents, on integration of gender into country programming phases, in the ongoing SiTAN, CPD, CPMP, mid-term reviews, extended annual reviews, programme component strategy notes and in the programmatic assessment and institutional strengthening components of gender reviews, and monitor gender results and expenditure.
• Review the COARs from a gender perspective and identify promising practices and CO gender equality achievements.
• Provide guidance and feedback to COs on their gender reporting, gender programmatic reviews and RAM coding.
• Support the Regional Gender Adviser on all cross sectoral assignments at the Regional Office scheduled with external consultants for FY2017 work plan with Health, Education, C4D, Child protection and other sectors to undertake document reviews, evidence and data generation on gender.
• Assist the RGA with responding to Country Office gender support requests.

2)  Support to documentation and reporting of gender results

• Provide support to country offices on the tracking of gender results as it relates to gender mainstreaming and the Targeted Gender Priorities, in collaboration with Planning, M&E and planning section and sectoral teams.
• Participate in cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination meetings on key programmatic results on gender
• Develop and update Regional and Country office gender dashboard/infographics showing the progress on gender results in South Asia.
• Provide support to draw out specific gender results for reporting in the Global and Regional Annual Results reports from South Asia.

3)  Cross sectoral advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Support the RGA to liaise and consult with programme sections, to support convergence, and develop and reinforce cross sectoral partnerships in gender programming.
• Participate across all cross sectoral areas promoting gender analysis and integration of the Gender Action Plan, attend where required in Regional office planning meetings, mid/end year reviews, network meetings supporting with gender specific sector guidance notes, data, results and information,
• Support building and maintenance of internal and external partnerships and networks in the development of harmonized, gender-transformative programme interventions.
• Support building and maintenance of strategic alliances for gender equality with various partners, including institutional links with UN agencies and other relevant entities.

4)  Knowledge sharing, evidence generation and capacity building

• Develop a gender knowledge platform across South Asia with innovative gender knowledge products, facilitating and sharing of learning resources, generate monthly gender newsletters, CO specific data sheets/gender dashboard and assisting to visibly draw out gender results and best practices from the country offices and across Regional office Headline results.
• With the support of the RGA, liaise with Gender Focal Points and Gender Specialists from the 8 Country Offices in the ROSA region to regularly collate and document country-specific interventions and best practices on Gender.
• Update the regional online Gender library and identify and add key gender documents.
• Develop, manage and promote the use of the Gender team site for the region.
• Support the Regional Gender Adviser to further take forward the gender and capacity development plan in the region, develop a training plan for each country office to support their capacity development. 
• Bring best practices in gender programming and measurement to the attention of the Regional Gender Advisor and gender colleagues at Country Office

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education:

• Advanced university degree in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF's sectoral work (e.g. Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Social Inclusion, HIV/AIDs, etc.). Academic credentials in gender are a strong asset.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken substantive programming and research on gender and development in key issue areas that are the focus of UNICEF's Gender Action Plan.
• Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes/projects on gender and development or any other cross cutting programme, especially at country/field level.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English required.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising [ II ] 
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ] 
• Analyzing [ II ] 
• Relating and Networking [ II ] 
• Deciding and Initiating Action [ II ] 
• Persuading and Influencing [ II ]
• Applying technical skills [ II ]
• Entrepreneurial thinking [ II] 

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Technical Knowledge 

• Strong substantive, technical, programmatic and research skills in gender along with sectoral expertise in at least one of the following sectors: Health, Education, WASH, HIV/AIDS, Protection, Social Policy, C4D, ECD, or combined expertise in Adolescents.
• Proven ability to connect sectoral issues and programmatic approaches on gender.
• Substantive knowledge and experience integrating gender into programming, including needs assessment, programme implementation and monitoring, an asset.
• Proven rigor in analytical, conceptual and programme /project design skills relevant to gender and development with an understanding of theories of change and path from intervention to results.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting or conducting rigorous research and analysis on gender, including quantitative research methodologies, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Wide knowledge and understanding of country/regional/global gender equality issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current trends, methods and approaches. Familiarity and work experience in the South Asia region/country also an asset.
• Ability to contextualize and be able to translate the approaches into practicable programme/project design in complex environments where gender issues are often sensitive to raise within certain national contexts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to write succinctly and clearly and speak in public forums compellingly and with confidence.
• High level of initiative and independence in ability to undertake complex tasks while proactively seeking relevant input, cooperation, and guidance from key constituents.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to motivate others and create and encourage a climate of team-work and collaboration across sectors and in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to make effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others inside and outside UNICEF and negotiate a desired direction and/or outcome
• Ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, approaches, or insights and develop innovative ways to undertake projects and initiatives, shape solutions to problems.
• Strategic thinker who can pull disparate ideas into a cohesive vision, strategy, and plan that is positive and compelling for other to join, collaborate, and implement.
• Proven ability to build rapport with individuals and groups and maintain an effective network of individuals across organizational departments as well externally.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.