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Specialist, Women and Youth Resilience

Dhaka

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Youth
    • Environment
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • WOMEN AND YOUTH RESILIENCE
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of south-eastern Bangladesh, the indigenous population is challenged by extreme poverty and political marginalization. Especially women and youth experience the adverse effects of a post-conflict trauma and far below country average of access to basic services and political and social rights. Most of the women are confined to the domestic domain which includes homestead unpaid jobs. Girls and young women typically earn less and work in more unstable jobs and have neither access to resources nor market driven skills, a situation that prevents them to develop entrepreneurial skills or to have a decent job. Key issues like violence, sexual harassment, discrimination, early marriage, malnutrition, health crises, drop-out from education add to the unequal access to economic structures. Opportunities for skills development to become self-reliant are scarce. Lack of employment opportunities, market driven education and access to resources prevent young women from participating in the economic development process and to contribute to alleviate poverty. Furthermore, CHT’s geographical location, Socio-political context, communal tension, topography, the nature of its economy and rapid urbanization make it vulnerable to natural and human induced disasters and economic shocks.
 
Under these circumstances, UNDP is seeking an Advisor on Women and Youth Resilience under the ongoing multi-sector UNDP programme for support to CHT. Denmark has been supporting the programme for many years and the suggested enhancement of programmatic f ocus on women and youth falls well in line with the Danish priorities – both locally and globally.
 
The Adviser would be tasked with designing and implement youth focused development activities in support of the engagements implemented by UNDP in CHT. Focus will especially be on skills development and youth entrepreneurship. The main objective of the proposed Advisor on Youth and Women Resilience would be to empower the youth, especially girls and young women, by strengthening their skills on need based short trade and technical areas for economic self-reliance so that they can take leadership roles in poverty alleviation and peace building initiatives in the three hill districts of CHT.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:
  1. Policy and advocacy works on women and youth resilience 
  2. Skills development of CHT women and youth 
  3. Entrepreneurship development among CHT women and youth 
  4. Effective coordination with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), donors and other relevant actors 
  5. Development of necessary implementation guidelines for different project activities 
  6. Capacity building support to the relevant institutions, project team and partners 
  7. Producing reports and case studies 
  8. Support SID-CHT team in project management activities 
1. Policy and advocacy works on women and youth development:
  • Develop strategic papers on UNDP’s engagement to support on women and youth development and resilience building based on thorough analysis of current situation, existing legal frameworks and policies;
  • Develop advocacy strategies to work on the policy and legal issues for women empowerment in CHT.
  • Design and implement awareness raising campaigns among the youth, including women and girls, for engaging them in entrepreneurial activities.
2. Skills development of CHT women and youth:
  • Identify employable skills for CHT women and youth
  • Design and implement skills development training for CHT women and youth 
  • Establish/ implement forward linkage/ job placement for skilled CHT women and youth
3. Entrepreneurship development among CHT women and youth:
  • Organize awareness raising among the CHT women and youth on entrepreneurship 
  • Design and implement entrepreneurship development training for CHT women and youth
  • Promote innovation and encourage innovative ideas among the CHT women and youth 
  • Connect CHT women and youth entrepreneurs with financial institutions 
  • Connect CHT women and youth entrepreneurs with forward markets
4. Effective coordination with GoB, donors and other relevant actors:
  • Coordinate with the Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA), Ministry of The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other relevant govt. stakeholders, development partners, relevant actors, research institutions to address the issues related to vulnerable women and youth resilience development; 
  • Coordinate with development partners and keep them updated on the progress of the project regularly; 
  • Organise different workshops, seminars and dialogues engaging all relevant parties at national and local levels.
5. Development of necessary implementation guidelines for different project activities:
  • Following approved work plans and budget prepare necessary implementation guidelines on different project activities to be followed by the project team and partners; 
  • Ensure donor guidelines are followed and strategic visibility of the project recognized.
6. Capacity building support to the relevant institutions, project team and partners:
  • Provide necessary trainings to the project team and partners to build their capacities; 
  • Ensure necessary technical supports to the MoCHTA and prepare strategic technical notes for the National Steering Committee (NSC); 
  • Provide necessary capacity building supports to MoCHTA, CHT Regional Council, HDCs, traditional leaders and other partners. 
  • Work closely with the M&E team on women and youth integration and analysis tools 
  • Seek and maximize opportunities for synergy with other gender equality, GBV prevention and response and youth-friendly programming in CHT region. 
7. Producing reports and case studies:
  • Prepare necessary concept notes, producing reports for donors, GoB counter parts and UNDP; 
  • Document best practices, covering different concepts, strategies and implementation approaches and support the management in mainstreaming programme policies and practices relevant to vulnerable women and youth resilience development. 
  • Document best practices and lessons learned in implementing women and youth development activities in the CHT. Write reports, success stories, technical briefs and abstracts for presentations. 
8. Support to SID-CHT management in managing the project:
  • Support SID-CHT management to in project management, including effective implementation and monitoring of deliverables. 
Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators:
  • High quality technical advisory services and guidance in managing the project activities. 
  • Number of skilled women and youth developed in CHT 
  • Number of women and youth entrepreneurs developed in CHT 
  • Effective advocacy works on policy streamlining related to vulnerable women and youth resilience development in CHT. 
  • Strong networking on the subject matter and effective coordination with GoB, Donors, partners and other relevant actors established. 
  • Producing high quality reports. 
  • Improved performance of staffs and partners.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
 
Innovation (Ability to make new and useful ideas work):
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them
 
Leadership (Ability to persuade others to follow):
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers
 
People Management (Ability to improve performance and satisfaction):
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others
 
Communication (Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform):
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
 
Delivery (Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement):
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions
 
Technical/Functional Competencies:
 
Project and Programme Management (Ability to research, plan, organise, and comply with  procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Knowledge Management (Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Management and Coordination (Ability to manage, communicate and collaborate with team members and partner agencies to achieve joint objectives and deliver projects, campaigns or events successfully):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Professionalism (Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Planning & Organizing (Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Relationship Management (Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships):
Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Collaboration and Partnership (Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.  Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Learning and Development (Knowledge of enterprise learning and development issues, concepts, and principles, and ability to apply them to enhance the fulfilment and performance of employees):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 
Teamwork (Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals):
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s degree in in international development, women's studies, business management, economics, sociology or any relevant field.
Knowledge and Experience:
  • At least 7 (Seven) years of relevant experience in development sector. 
  • At least 3 (three) years of experience working in the women and youth development sector specially in skills development, employment creation, youth engagement, small entrepreneurship development etc. 
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding on CHT development, women and youth situation is preferable.
  • Proven understanding of inclusive business and in-depth knowledge on how business can contribute to peace and development.
  • Thorough understanding of policies and necessary interventions related to women and youth resilience development.
  • Relevant working experience with UN agencies or INGO is an added advantage. 
  • Demonstrated ability to produce good quality briefs/reports in English. 
  • Ability to critically review relevant technical materials and recommend appropriate measures to overcome the issues. 
  • Experience working with indigenous communities and knowledge on issues relevant to indigenous communities. 
  • Experience of working in post-conflict area will be an added advantage.
Language Requirements:
  • Excellent knowledge of English, both written and oral. 
Computer Skill:
  • Excellent computer skill and good experience on internet browsing. 
  • Good computer typing skill.

Disclaimer

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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This vacancy is now closed.
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