Senior Officer for Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion

UNOPS has been active in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99) since 1999, helping partners achieve their goals in areas such as economic development, education, health, environment, justice, mine action and post-conflict rebuilding of infrastructure and livelihoods. The UNOPS office in Pristina provides services including project management, administrative support, procurement and fund management.

As part of UNOPS sustainability agenda, several initiatives have been carried out to better incorporate gender issues and social inclusion and other cross cutting 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 SIDA funded project “Promoting Decent Work through Strengthening Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Management and Social Dialogue” aims to contribute to Improvement of the working conditions of Kosovo Labour Force focusing on safety and health standards through several activities focused on strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, specifically the Labour Inspectorate in applying health and safety management to International and European standards: Further, the project aims to raise awareness about the importance of application of OSH standards among targeted groups such are current workers and college students of Kosovo Vocational Schools and Vocational Training Centres that will join labour force, Local businesses and other local entities involved in activities that require the application of OSH standards. Also, an intensive media campaign will be implemented in order to raise the awareness of the whole society on the importance of the implementation of OSH standards

The project will coordinate closely with the key stakeholders: Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Labour Inspectorate, Employment Agency of Kosovo, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Agency for Vocational education and training and adult education, Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and Local Businesses working in the field of labour rights and social inclusion, Kosovo Economic and Social Council (ESC), National Council for Safety and Health at Work, Trade Unions, and others relevant to the field.
Under the supervision and guidance of the Project Manager and the Head of Office, The Senior Officer for Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion will support UNOPS Pristina office and projects in offering technical assistance, advice and support on social and gender inclusion aspects on a need basis to the office portfolio also.

Under the direct supervision of the PM the Senior Officer for Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Specialist will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation and quality assurance for the activities that will be implemented including those by the implementing partners of the project.

The Senior Officer for Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion  will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Stakeholder management

• Establish and maintain close dialogue/open channels of communications with all project stakeholders, especially partners engaged in the project for delivery of specific activities;

• Ensure that the key stakeholders are aware of the Project activities, progress and results; 

• Maintain regular communication with the Project beneficiaries to ensure that their feedback has been addressed in delivering the envisaged outputs; 

• Develop different reports used to inform SIDA as the donor and the key stakeholders of the project interventions related to the project activities;

• Ensure the PM and relevant UNOPS personnel are informed about key developments; 

• Contribute to the Project’s communication and visibility activities; 

• Coordinate work meetings with the counterparts (Civil Society Organizations and other UN agencies) and / or project team in order to know the scope of the project and areas of opportunity; 

• Analyse the results of the activities to incorporate lessons learned in the decision-making process of the project and other duties and tasks assigned by the PM.

Delivery and Performance:

• Provided support and coordination for the development of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion strategies within the projects activities by all partners;

• Manage the Project’s activities related to complementary gender and social inclusion measures and ensure timely and quality delivery of the outputs related to provision of support for employment, education and training, acquiring qualifications, and improved access to public services for the most vulnerable beneficiary; 

• Provide support to the institutions and organisation on national and local level as well as to local self-governments in development of tailored models for the implementation of gender and social inclusion measures and economic empowerment of beneficiaries;

• Organise efficient monitoring of projects and grants supported through the complementary gender and social inclusion activities including monitoring of financial resources to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;

• Provide subject matter input on gender and social inclusion issues, with particular attention on coordinating activities with other results; 

• Provide timely and punctual information to the Project team about milestones as well as about relevant external news; 

• Capture good practices and lessons learned, related to areas of gender and social inclusion, particularly employment, education and access to social services; 

• Prepare Terms of Reference for engagement of consultants/companies needed for the complementary gender and social inclusion related activities, monitor and evaluate their performance; 

• Ensure good governance concept, principles and practices are incorporated into the activities where applicable, in accordance to the Project objectives and methodology.

Procedures:

• With support from the Project Manager and in consultations with the Head of Office contribute to respect of project management requirements;

• With support from the Project Manager, ensure respect of UNOPS grant methodology and procurement procedures where applicable;

• Contribute to development, update and implementation of the Project’s plans and ensure delivery in accordance with approved Work plans for the gender and social inclusion related activities;

• Contribute to identification and assessment of issues and risks related to the complementary social inclusion and implement responses in accordance with the Project’s Risk Management Strategy;

• Provide timely, accurate and high quality inputs to Project’s reports;

• Provide accurate and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the Project’s performance, outputs and deliveries as required by the Project. 

• Advanced University Degree preferably in Gender/ Development studies / International Relations / Social Science/ Political Science or in any relevant area is required. Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree.

• Minimum two  years of progressive experience in gender/social inclusion related roles (combination of programme development, advisory, project management, training/capacity building roles).

• Experience in work with the international aid development sector, including the UN system, international NGOs and International Donors is desirable.

• Previous UNOPS experience is an asset.

• Fluency in English and Albanian or Serbian is  required.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.