Gender & Development Officer (P-2), #103256, Panama City – Panama, LACRO

The Gender & Development Officer, will work with the Regional Adviser Gender to accelerate the implementation of the GAP and provide continuous support LACRO Gender Section to coordinate, and contribute to key deliverables in the Gender Annual Work Plan and gender indicators within the ROMP. In particular, the Gender & Development Officer will support the implementation of GAP to ensure the triple mandate: targeted priorities, gender-responsive programming and institutional capacity development. Also, the Gender & Development Officer will strengthen country-country exchanges within the regional gender network, develop gender knowledge and advocacy products, and support evidence generation and documentation of gender results in the Region.

For every girl, boy and adolescent, a geographically mobile & diverse workforce

In alignment with UNICEF' Gender Action Plan (GAP), the role of the Gender & Development Officer will be primarily technical and programmatic, working with the Regional Adviser Gender in the areas of preparing gender technical guidance, supporting Country Office planning and programming from a gender perspective, developing knowledge products, and strengthening gender capacities as well as the regional gender network.

The Gender & Development Officer, will work with the Regional Adviser Gender to accelerate the implementation of the GAP and provide continuous support to LACRO Gender Section to coordinate, and contribute to key deliverables in the Gender Annual Work Plan and gender indicators within the Regional Office Management Plan (ROMP). In particular, the Gender & Development Officer will support the implementation of the GAP to ensure its triple mandate: targeted priorities, integrated programming and institutional capacity strengthening. Also, the Gender & Development Officer will strengthen country-country exchanges within the regional gender network, develop gender knowledge and advocacy products, and support evidence generation and documentation of gender results in the Region.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support to program/project development and planning

• Participate in, and support, evidence-based programme/project planning on gender, incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results - especially in the event of  Country Programme development and related Mid-Term Reviews.
• Support the integration of gender into country programming phases, including strategic planning, Situation Analyses, strategic moments of reflection, CPDs, CPMPs, mid-term reviews, extended annual reviews, programme component strategy notes and in the programmatic assessment and institutional strengthening components of gender reviews.
• In collaboration with sectoral colleagues, identify the areas of focus for gender programming/projects with the greatest potential for impact and scale, in alignment with the GAP and the country/regional priorities.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (including in emergency contexts)

• Support high quality reporting on gender results, and participate in the strengthening of the quality of research and evidence building on gender related programming, by incorporating the latest learning and evidence from the field of gender and development to the table, and supporting the input of a coherent, well-prioritized research regional agenda in alignment with the GAP.
• Support the planning and implementation of gender programmatic reviews and make sure that the recommendations that come out of the review are integrated into the Country Programme strategy and action plans and humanitarian strategies and action plans in emergency contexts.
• Participate in, and/or actively represent UNICEF, relevant coordination bodies at the inter-agency level (gender theme group or other networks) and provide close oversight of inter-agency joint programmes.

3. Advisory services and technical support

• Provide technical support and guidance to country offices on aspects of gender programming and to ensure incorporation of gender indicators and measures in programmes/projects, policy initiatives, proposals, and M&E systems.
• Provide technical support and advocacy to report and follow-up on international and regional gender equality commitments made by host countries.
• Support the development of adequate emergency preparedness measures, updating of contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms that reflect gender needs.
• Support the development and deployment of emergency training that incorporates gender issues and relevant strategies.
• Participate in gender needs assessments, and in the event of an emergency, be deployed as a member of the Emergency Response Team.
• Support implementing/operational partners and implementing arrangements in order to ensure an effective, gender-inclusive emergency response.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Support building and maintenance of strategic alliances for gender equality with various partners, including institutional links with UN agencies and other relevant entities.
• Collaborate with other UN agencies at regional level and partners to enhance the regional gender agenda.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Support documentation and sharing of the country-level experience in gender programming and lessons learned, which will be shared with internal networks and external partners and utilized for South-South cooperation.

• Support Regional Adviser Gender in advancing the technical and research capacity of country-level staff, offices and programs on gender to continue to build evidence base for programming and to ensure continuous capacity in gender at Country Office level.
• Support management and HR in the development of systems, tools and processes that enable staff members and external partners to enhance their understanding and adoption of gender sensitive behaviors and to support implementation of the GAP. 

To qualify as an advocate for every girl, boy and adolescent you will have¦

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences (i.e. gender and development, women's studies, 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 required.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on gender and development in key issue areas that are the focus of UNICEF's Gender Action Plan.
• Country/Field level experience is an added advantage.
• Fluency in Spanish and English required; proficiency in French and/or Portuguese will be considered an asset.

For every boy, girl and adolescent, you demonstrate¦

UNICEF's core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Remarks:
A majority of our positions are classified as rotational, which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.