By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Gender Policy Officer

Bonn

  • Organization: UN - United Nations
  • Location: Bonn
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Political Affairs
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

The objective of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to combat desertification and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought (DLDD) in affected countries around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels. Established in 1994, the UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. In decision 30/COP.13 Parties to the UNCCD adopted the Gender Action Plan (GAP) - https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/documents/2018-01/GAP%20ENG%20%20low%20res_0.pdf - recognizing that all aspects of DLDD have gender dimensions and call to further mainstream gender equality and empowerment of women and girls into desertification/land degradation and drought-related policies and activities, as appropriate, to implement the Convention and the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework.

During COP 15, held in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, last May 2022, Parties adopted decision 24/COP.15 on gender, approving a proposed roadmap for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and requesting the secretariat to support Parties to that end through policy recommendations, as well as advocacy and direct support to the recently formalized Gender Caucus, which will serve to guide further mainstreaming of gender equality and empowerment into DDLD activities through the Convention.

The promotion of gender equality is both central to UNCCD’s mandate and a priority within the organization’s activities. UNCCD is seeking a Gender Policy Officer who will ensure that UNCCD’s work applies the most-up-to date global perspectives on gender equality and pushes UNCCD to be gender transformative in all actions. The incumbent would be expected to lead a donor-funded project for institutional support for integrating gender equality into the UNCCD, including adequate use of resources and reporting. The incumbent would also advocate for greater attention to gender perspectives, providing the necessary rationale and advice on approaches to support gender mainstreaming throughout the UNCCD. This requires that he/she understands the work of the UNCCD, relevant gender perspectives and how these perspectives can be incorporated into on-going work or can be supported through new policy.
This position is located in the UNCCD Headquarters in Bonn, Germany.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the External Relations, Policy and Advocacy (ERPA) unit of the UNCCD the incumbent will have the following responsibilities and tasks:

• Leads the donor-funded project for institutional support for integrating gender equality in the UNCCD, including adequate use of resources and reporting;
• Supports and guides the implementation of UNCCD Gender Action Plan and its respective roadmap, including through leading the organization of periodic meetings of the Gender Caucus and providing policy advice to the Parties and stakeholders.
• Supports the integration and implementation of gender equality mainstreaming in aspects of LDN processes and initiatives and provides backstopping to all units and the Global Mechanism with regards to gender mainstreaming.
• Contributes to the design and implementation of a Secretariat-wide action plan to translate existing mandates, commitments, and policies on the promotion of gender equality.
• Supports resource mobilization and partnership efforts, on behalf of the Secretariat, to support the implementation of the gender equality workstream and its related actions including through the pursuing of new partnerships with women’s organizations, UN and other international organizations and donors.
• Drafts, edits and provides substantive results-based inputs for periodic briefings and speeches on women & DLDD at the strategic and operational levels.
• Provides inputs on planning processes, including mission concepts and operational planning; results-based budgeting frameworks for the Secretariat; staffing tables and other operational tools.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of gender and DLDD issues that are relevant for the implementation of mandates contained in the convention and relevant COP decisions, in particular, leads the preparation of policy and issue papers on gender perspectives in the substantive work of the UNCCD which would outline the linkages - i.e. the ways in which gender perspectives are relevant and important to what the UNCCD does - as the basis for efforts to promote gender mainstreaming. Particular attention should be paid to the synergies and to the ways in which mainstreaming a gender perspective can support the achievement of the goals of the UNCCD. Revise issue and policy-papers as needed over time;
• Leads the development and implementation of a corporate internal UNCCD Secretariat and GM policy/strategy and its corresponding plan of action, based on the results of the UNCCD Gender Audit.
• Ensures compliance with relevant UN gender equality frameworks especially the United Nations system-wide policy on gender equality and the empowerment of women and the corresponding UN System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP) and lead the annual UN SWAP reporting;
• Prepares gender progress and analytical reports and statistics, gender-disaggregated data, project briefs and ensure that management as well as staff and other stakeholders (e.g. UNCCD country parties and other stakeholders) are updated regularly. Similarly, assists with the analysis of data, identifying potential gaps and strategies to address them.
• Represents the Secretariat on gender related issues at workshops, conferences and events, as needed.
• Supports the tenure workstream within the Unit, as a means to strengthen the promotion of women’s secure tenure given its importance to successfully pursue LDN and other DLDD-related activities.
• Provides day-to-day supervision of staff, when needed; carries out programmatic/substantive reviews of staff work, and reports prepared by others.
• Performs any other job-related activities required to achieve the goals and objectives of the team, the Unit, the Programme or the secretariat.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of gender equality, gender mainstreaming concepts and analysis. Ability to identify issues, analyses and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Conceptual, analytical and political skills. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in gender and women’s rights, development studies, social science or related fields, international relations, human rights, law, gender studies, or in related areas is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in analyzing and integrating gender dimensions into policy and programme formulation and implementation, particularly in the context of land/natural resource use and management, agriculture, food and water security including capacity development programmes and tools is required.

Experience in developing gender related capacity building programmes and knowledge sharing products is required.

Familiar with gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation methods, including gender -related statistics, indicator development and budgeting is desired.

Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability; demonstrated ability to handle complex issues is desired.

Languages

For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be considered an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Any extensions of the appointments are subject to the availability of the funds and satisfactory performance. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: