Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist (Retainer), Multiple positions

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services.  A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG).

Within UNOPS, IPMG’s objectives are to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best-practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programmes and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established three interrelated and interdependent work streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards and Engagement Assurance. IPMG is managed overall by the Director of IPMG and supported by a Programme Support Unit.

Standards workstream aims to reduce organizational risks, improve project performance, and promote excellence across UNOPS projects. It is achieved by having a fit for purpose infrastructure and project management standards framework in place, which includes the development and maintenance of project management and infrastructure related technical content, as well as knowledge management, gender, sustainability and tools development associated with this content. This work stream enables IPMG to elevate organizational maturity and contributes to corporate excellence agenda such as ISO certifications and EFQM.

The Standards Team is overall led by the Head of Standards and is managed by the Manager of Standards. The Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist will be supervised by the Manager of Standards (coordination support will be provided by the Gender Mainstreaming Co-ordinator)

Working within the IPMG, the successful incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support to IPMG as well as the field offices as per the request, with a focus on Gender Mainstreaming.

As part of UNOPS sustainability agenda, several initiatives have been carried out to better incorporate gender issues into UNOPS project management and monitoring and reporting methodologies. Sustainability aspects, especially gender equality is a key focus area in UNOPS 2018-2021 strategic plan and UNOPS has launched in 2018 a Gender Mainstreaming strategy and Action plan, which positions gender equality as a key component of the projects UNOPS implements on behalf of partners around the world.

The Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist will support UNOPS offices and projects (HQ and field) in offering technical assistance, advice and support on social and gender inclusion aspects on a need basis, based on specific ToRs which would be agreed upon.  The specific tasks for each assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment. The functions/duties/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor comprehensive, for all missions or tasks that might arise under this ToR.

This is a home-based assignment which may involve travel to various locations, including remote or post-conflict environments. Modalities of missions are to be agreed with the respective offices and IPMG will have an oversight on the same.

The Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist  specific tasks will include, though not limited to, the following:

1.    Provide targeted technical support for the development and integration of gender and social aspects in UNOPS Policies and Guidance content

• Support as technical reviewer/content developer for the policies, guidance, standard operating procedures and manuals that are developed across UNOPS based on need.
• Support in evaluating the implementation of the policies and strategies and carry out audits specific to gender mainstreaming.
• When required, provide research and collect data on specific gender and social inclusion aspects to inform policies and guidance.

2.    Provide targeted technical support for the integration of gender and social aspects in UNOPS projects to ensure they effectively contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment

• Conduct a local systems analysis, with an integrated gender and social inclusion analysis, to inform how projects address needs in local context.
• Develop social and gender inclusion strategies for projects
• Conduct gender analysis for projects
• Review and/or support the development of gender and socially sensitive and responsive  project proposals by carrying out required community and stakeholder engagement
• Develop action plans to incorporate gender aspects in ongoing projects
• Conduct or monitor gender and social inclusion related activities engaging with concerned communities and stakeholders
• Evaluating and preparing reports achieved by the projects on social and gender aspects
• Identify and capture good practices and lessons learnt on social and gender equality to enable replication.
• Conduct, evaluate and report on social and/or gender audits

3.    Design and deliver workshops, training and capacity building activities for the project teams and partners, to develop their capacities in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment

• Depending on identified gender mainstreaming capacity needs, design training packages and content
• Facilitate/Administer the gender equality and women’s empowerment trainings
• Lead in evaluating the respective training outcomes and make recommendations for follow-ups or future trainings.

4.    Provide support in the development of technical guidance notes for mainstreaming gender in projects, e-learning modules and communication materials.

• When required, provide support in the development or engendering of technical guidance notes
• Lead in developing scripts and content on e-learning
• When required, support with engendering communication materials or other UNOPS products

Education

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in gender study / development studies / international relations / social science/ political science or in any relevant area is required.
• A university degree (Bachelor's degree level) with a combination of 2 years of relevant professional experience in gender study / development studies / international relations / social science/ political science may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in gender/social inclusion related roles (combination of programme development, advisory, project management, training/capacity building roles).
• Previous work experience with the UN system, international NGOs and International Donors is desirable.
• Previous UNOPS experience is an asset. 

Language

• Fluency and proficiency in English is required.
• Proficiency in another UN language, such as French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.