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Senior Gender Specialist: UN Gender Strategy and Mission Wide Action Plan for Somalia

Mogadishu

  • Organization: UNWOMEN - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
  • Location: Mogadishu
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

United Nations’ support to Somalia is guided by the Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) (2017-2020. The ISF constitutes the UN’s commitments to support the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP). In an effort to ensure gender and women, peace and security (WPS) issues is an integral part of the NDP, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has adopted a two-pronged approach: (i) mainstreaming gender across various pillars of NDP; and (ii) gender mainstreaming as a pillar with specific and well-defined deliverables to advance gender and WPS agenda. 

The UN Gender Theme Group (GTG) is one of the mechanisms to advance gender and WPS agenda across the UN system in Somalia. The GTG is mandated to institute a coordinated and coherent approach to gender mainstreaming and functions as the UN’s principal think tank on gender equality and women’s empowerment. To institute a systematic approach to gender mainstreaming across the system and ensure the UN remains accountable at the highest level to advance gender and WPS agenda, the GTG has endeavored to develop a UN-wide Gender Strategy and Action Plan.

Over the past two years, the GTG led an internal process to determine a structure which is suited for the complex reality in Somalia as well as respond to the integrated mission environment. To that effect some analysis and an outline for the accountability framework has been worked on. However, those analyses and the framework shall be looked at in the context of the new development such as a post 2016 electoral process which ushered in to a new reality in the country with women constituting 24 percent members of the federal parliament and shall be factored into the formation of the strategy.

Under the overall guidance and oversight of the two Co-Chairs of the GTG and in close consultation with the GTG members the Senior Gender Specialist will undertake the consultancy using the following methods:

  • Review of documents and analysis: this includes but not limited to the NDP, UN-ISF, UNSA Report, Somalia Conflict Analysis, available gender analysis, UN Gender Scorecard Report and the draft Accountability Framework;
  • Meetings, focused group discussions, consultation: hold meetings / consultations / focused-group discussions with key stakeholders including the GTG members, UNCT and Mission leadership, including Heads of Agencies and UNSOM Section Chiefs and Advisors

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this consultancy is to finalize the UN Gender Strategy which will provide adequate guidance to both the UN Mission as well as agencies—funds and programmes (AFPs) to fulfill their commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment. An associated Action Plan to translate the strategy into tangible results shall be a key deliverable of this consultancy.

The exercise is aimed at delivering a holistic framework for harnessing existing mechanisms and structures in the UN in Somalia to effectively integrate gender equality and women, peace and security concerns in the roll out of the ISF as a means to support the implementation of the NDP over the next three years (2017-2020).  

The consultancy will focus on the following main areas:

  • Gender analysis: review the gender analysis that has been generated through internal process, in particular during the UN Strategic Assessment which ended in March 2017 and the conflict analysis and determine the adequacy of information in order to formulate/finalize a robust and implementable gender strategy for 2017-2020 period;
  • Establish milestones: based on the NDP and UN-ISF priorities, determine key milestones for the UN to deliver in order to advance the gender and WPS agenda which shall form the basis for the Strategy;
  • Implementation of the strategy: outline a well-defined Action Plan with key deliverables aligned with milestones and determine targeted actions with clear indicators and time-line.

Expected Deliverables:

  • An inception report outlining the approach to the consultancy, the process and work plan, including key issues to be discussed and list of stakeholders to be consulted and schedules for various actions/consultations/FGDs, meetings, etc. and an outline of the Gender Strategy;
  • Draft Strategy and Action Plan (which shall be presented and discussed in the GTG retreat scheduled for 30-31 August 2017);
  • Final Strategy and Action Plan (which shall be presented at the SMG for approval);
  • A process report of no more than 10 pages.

Competencies

Integrity:

  • Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

  • Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
  • Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:Ethics and Values:

  • Demonstrate and promote ethics and integrity by creating organizational precedents.

Organizational Awareness:

  • Build support for the organization and ensure political acumen.

Development and Innovation:

  • Support staff competence development, and contribute to an environment of creativity and innovation.

Work in Teams:

  • Build and promote effective teams;
  • Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communication and Information Sharing:

  • Create and promote an environment for open and effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

  • Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

  • Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

  • Share knowledge across the organization and build a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-Making:

  • Ensure fair and transparent decision making processes and manage risk.

Functional Competencies:

  • Proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice in gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment;
  • Knowledge of UN System and understanding of inter-agency coordination processes;
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, programme development and implementation, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships;
  • Knowledge of methodologies and best practices for promoting gender equality, equity and women empowerment in general and in the Africa region;
  • High degree of political acumen and sensitivity and demonstrated ability to achieve results in politically and operationally complex environments;
  • Demonstrated excellent writing and drafting skills and analytical ability required;
  • Proficiency in MS Office application use (Word, Excel, Power-Point, etc.) and internet use. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:         

  • At least a Master’s Degree in Gender Studies/Women Studies/ Political Science/International Peace and Development Studies; Social Studies,

Experience:       

  • Minimum 10 years’ extensive experience in policy/strategy development and gender programming;
  • Extensive expertise in gender mainstreaming and WPS agenda in conflict/post-conflict setting;
  • Experience working with UN system, including ‘One-UN’, joint UN programming and experience of UN-ISF, UNDAFs will be a significant advantage.

Language Requirements:             

  • Fluency in English is required;
  • Knowledge of official national language is essential.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
This vacancy is now closed.
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