Project Specialist

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

As a trusted multilateral partner serving 177 countries and territories around the world, UNDP is uniquely positioned to help advocate for change, connect countries to the knowledge and resources they need to develop and to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations at the country level.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global epidemic which inhibits the fulfillment of gender equality, human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs include explicit targets addressing violence against women, violence against children, and harmful practices. Reducing violence against women and girls is a stand-alone target under SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and also will contribute to achieving other gender equality targets and many of the other SDGs, including those on education, health and poverty.

With the generous support of the Republic of Korea, UNDP launched the Ending GBV and Achieving the SDGs global project in 2018. This initiative supports efforts to test new tools and approaches that reduce GBV and intensify progress towards other development goals, such as health, social cohesion, economic empowerment and good governance.

The project is currently being undertaken in seven countries: Bhutan, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Moldova, Peru and Uganda. Each pilot will be rigorously evaluated to ensure the project’s results are according to global standards of evidence. It will use the findings of what works and what did not to advocate for better policies and programmes to address and prevent GBV across sectors such as livelihoods, health, environmental programming, youth empowerment and social protection. The initiative has partnered with the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), who is leading the value for money and financing research.

The project will run until 31 December 2021, and is seeking an experienced GBV project specialist for its final year of implementation, evaluation and project closure.

 1) Day-to-day project management of the UNDP’s GBV and SDGs project:

• Coordinate and manage smooth project implementation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and project closure (ex., ensure pilot Country Office teams are on track to meet project goals, manage contracts and consultants, etc.).
• Serve as a coordinator between and among Country Office teams and GPN.
• Support the Project Manager with budget monitoring, preparation of Annual Work Plans and sound financial management.
• 2) Drive innovation and provide technical advice
• Advise on innovative tools and methodologies, particularly with regards to M&E and learning.
• Provide technical support to pilot Country Office teams to ensure alignment of pilot programming with the vision and objectives of the global project, and in accordance with ethical guidelines and standards of GBV programming.  

3) Manage research and knowledge-building  

• Oversee and facilitate research-related activities and final research products with consultants and Country Office teams.
• Provide advice or insights in contextualizing results from research and M&E.
• In consultation with Country Office teams, ensure qualitative substantive and financial progress and final reports.
• Facilitate communication and learning among Country Office teams, consultants, partners and the broader UNDP community.

4) Project scale-up and advocacy

• In consultation with Country Office partners and the global project team, identify lessons learned and promising practices, contributing to knowledge products, reporting, and advocacy events.
• As part of UNDP’s Global Policy Network, identify synergies with other initiatives, such as Spotlight.
• Support scale-up of project tools internally and externally. 

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

Primary

Gender mainstreaming and analysis

• Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective.

Project and Programme management

• Ability to plan, organize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Coordination

• Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding relationships and strategic engagement.

Anti-Corruption

• Knowledge of anti-corruption concepts, principles and policies and the ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations.

Secondary

Knowledge Management

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Trends and emerging areas analytics

• Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design.

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender studies, international development, international public health, public administration, human rights, social sciences, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender-transformative development projects.
• Technical experience in gender mainstreaming, with a focusing on GBV prevention and response. Knowledge of innovative practices in this field a distinct asset.
• Proven analytical, communications and research uptake skills; ability to write high-quality strategic documents, donor reports, briefs, etc.
• Demonstrated experience and strong knowledge of results-based management throughout project cycle.
• Experience coordinating multi-country research and teams.
• Knowledge of SDGs and their interlinkages with GBV a distinct asset.
• Field experience an asset.

Language Requirements:    

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of other UN official working languages is an asset.

Other:

• Required computer skills in a standardized language;
• Any required certifications;
• Any required training;
• Smoking/Non-Smoking environment (if applicable).

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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