Gender Policy Analyst in Economy and Private Sector (Home Based) [Open Tier 1 and 2]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based, regional and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Policy Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate development-related strategies and vision for gender equality as a key component of sustainable development and ensure no one is left behind.

The Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean established the Regional Hub in Panama in 2008, to bring corporate and regional policy, and advisory support, closer to where they are needed on the ground, and to make those services more responsive to country programme needs. The Regional Hub serves 26 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, offering technical support, and a trustworthy source of knowledge, experiences, and resources provided by a group of experts and professionals. It works through its COs with governments and people to develop customized solutions to development challenges and thus help to strengthen local capacities.

The Gender Team of the UNDP Regional Hub leads the implementation of the corporate Gender Equality Strategy in the region through the implementation of regional projects and technical assistance to other areas and regional teams, the country offices and counterparts to mainstream the gender approach in their results and development strategies. The Team is formed by the following thematic sub-areas: Healthy Planet and Resilience, Effective Governance, prosperity for all. The Prosperity sub-area focuses on advancing gender equality in inclusive economic transformation, sustainable finance, private sector development, SMEs and value chains, and innovative financing mechanisms. It also contributes to the implementation of regional flagship initiatives and supports the operationalization of the LAC Facility for Financing Resilient Human Development.

In this context, the Gender Policy Analyst in Economy and Private Sector will contribute to the strategic coordination, technical implementation and knowledge development of the Prosperity portfolio, ensuring alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan (2026-2029), UNDP Regional Programme Document (2026-2029), Global Gender Equality Strategy (2026-2029). regional priorities on sustainable finance and inclusive growth, and relevant global and regional initiatives; including Global Equanomics Initiative, Gender Equality Seals for Private Sector and Financial institutions and SDG value chain tools.

The position combines strategic portfolio coordination, high-level technical advisory services, capacity development, innovation, knowledge management, advocacy and resource mobilization.

Scope of Work

The Gender Policy Analyst in Economics, Finance and Private Sector is responsible for performing and contributing to the following:

Coordination, Planning and Portfolio Management of the Prosperity Sub-Area into Gender Team:

• Contribute to the annual and quarterly strategic planning of the Prosperity sub-area, ensuring alignment with the Regional Programme Document (RPD), the UNDP Strategic Plan and regional priorities on productive inclusion, private sector engagement, sustainable finance, innovation and support to the LAC Facility.
• Provide technical and administrative follow-up of the regional portfolio, including workplans, milestones, reporting processes, monitoring of deliverables and consolidation of progress for corporate reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure articulation and coordination with other Regional Hub Teams (Prosperity for All, Effective Governance, and Healthy Planet and Resilience) and with global teams and projects, promoting integrated approaches and combined solutions for Country Offices.
• Support key administrative processes, including drafting Terms of Reference (ToRs), procurement follow-up, contractual monitoring, mission planning and organization of regional events.
• Prepare strategic inputs for internal coordination meetings, management reports, leadership briefs and programmatic planning processes.

Capacity Development for Country Offices on Gender Equality, Private Sector and Sustainable Finance

• Ensure regional capacity-strengthening processes for Country Offices in the core areas of the Prosperity portfolio: gender equality in business, sustainable finance, gender-lens investing, SMEs and inclusive value chains.
• Design, update and facilitate regional training (virtual and in-person), Training of Trainers (ToTs) and specialized technical sessions for Country Office teams, financial institutions, companies and government counterparts.
• Provide technical accompaniment to Country Offices in the implementation of global and regional tools and frameworks, including:
  • Equanomics and gender-responsive fiscal and financial policies, including gender-responsive blended finance;
  • Gender Equality Seal programmes (for private sector and financial institutions), corporate self-assessment and evaluation methodologies, and Equality@Work tools;
  • SME and SDG Value Chain toolkits.
• Facilitate regional knowledge exchange and peer learning spaces, strengthening communities of practice and dissemination of innovative solutions across countries.

Technical Assistance for the Implementation of Gender Equality and Prosperity Programmes

Organized under three strategic lines of the portfolio:

a) Inclusive Finance and Financing for Gender Equality

• Provide specialized technical assistance to financial institutions to integrate gender equality into operations, financial products, investment strategies and management systems.
• Support pre-audit and audit processes under the Gender Equality Seal for Financial Institutions, ensuring compliance with standards and institutional strengthening.
• Contribute to ESG due diligence processes, risk analysis, interviews with potential partners and preparation of strategic recommendations to ensure safe partnerships and risk mitigation.

b) Private Sector and Gender Equality Programmes

• Provide technical advisory services to companies and investors seeking to reduce gender gaps and strengthen corporate practices aligned with gender equality standards.
• Develop executive reports, comparative analyses, strategic briefs and presentations for companies, partners and decision-makers.
• Coordinate with Country Offices in the implementation of Business for Gender Equality programmes, ensuring regular technical follow-up, continuous advisory support and articulation with governmental counterparts.

c) Gender-Transformative Value Chains, SMEs and Inclusive Economic Development

• Support the implementation of gender-transformative value chain programmes in coordination with consultants, governments and Country Office teams.
• Facilitate training processes using corporate methodologies targeted at SMEs and women’s economic empowerment (e.g., entrepreneurship and business strengthening tools).
• Update and adapt the SDG Value Chain Toolkit and other technical instruments to strengthen the integration of gender equality in productive sectors and value chains.

Facilitate Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Design and produce strategic knowledge products (guides, toolkits, infographics, executive presentations, comparative analyses and country syntheses) aligned with the RPD, Strategic Plan and Global and Gender Equality Strategy.
• Systematize evidence, results, lessons learned and stories of change emerging from country implementation, strengthening regional knowledge generation and policy positioning.
• Promote innovation within the Prosperity portfolio, including the exploration and application of blockchain-based solutions to enhance: Traceability in value chains; Transparency in due diligence processes; Digital certifications; Compliance verification and secure management of sensitive data.
• Support the development of regional innovation communities, fostering pilot initiatives, proof-of-concept processes and partnerships with technology actors.

Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Support regional and sectoral advocacy spaces, including business forums, high-level dialogues and key events to position gender equality, inclusive financing and private sector and agenda, providing conceptual, logistical and administrative support.
• Strengthen communities of practice related to the Gender Equality Seal and other flagship initiatives, ensuring active engagement, knowledge production and alignment with global and regional agendas.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with UN agencies, governments, business associations, financial institutions, private sector actors, donors and other relevant stakeholders to expand the reach of the Prosperity portfolio.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by supporting the preparation of Project Briefs, Project Documents and donor proposals, and by organizing strategic meetings with partners and potential funders.
• Identify new funding opportunities, programmatic synergies and partnerships to scale regional results on gender equality and prosperity.

Perform other duties as required by management, in line with the strategic priorities of the RPD, Strategic Plan and the regional Prosperity portfolio.

Institutional Arrangement

The Gender Policy Analyst in Economy and Private Sector will work under the overall guidance of the Regional Hub Manager in the Regional Hub and the Regional Gender Team Leader, and the direct supervision of the Manager of the Global Programme on Business for Gender Equality – Gender Equality Seal for the Private Sector.

Competencies

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a pragmatic problem-solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously
LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, be aware of unconscious bias, and confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

BUSINESS DIRECTION AND STRATEGY
System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

BUSINESS DIRECTION AND STRATEGY
Effective Decision Making

Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Knowledge Generation

Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Communication

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

2030 AGENDA: PEOPLE
Gender

Financing for Gender Equality 

2030 AGENDA: PEOPLE
Gender

Gender responsive Budgeting 

2030 AGENDA: PEOPLE
Gender

Inclusive economies and the economic empowerment of women 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy, Gender and Development, Social Sciences, or related fields, is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree, with an understanding of gender and development.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• Minimum 2 years (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in economic development, gender equality, private sector development, sustainable finance, SMEs and/or inclusive economic policies in developing country contexts.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience providing technical advisory services to governments, financial institutions, private sector actors and/or development partners is required
• Proven experience and strong technical knowledge of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in the areas of private sector development, sustainable finance, value chains and/or inclusive growth.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver capacity development initiatives, including trainings and technical guidance for diverse stakeholders.
• Proven analytical experience, including the ability to produce policy briefs, technical reports and strategic presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and manage deliverables under tight timelines.
• Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement experience, with the ability to work effectively across teams and institutions.
• Experience and sound understanding of ESG, sustainable finance and/or gender-responsive economic policies.
• Demonstrated ability to promote knowledge sharing and contribute to communities of practice.
• Experience in administrative, financial and logistical knowledge of the United Nations
• Knowledge of gender equality certification schemes is desirable.
• Experience supporting regional or multi-country programmes within international organizations is desirable

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and oral is required.
• Working knowledge of a third UN language preferably relevant to the region in which this position is based, is an asset.

Travel

a) UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.