Policy Specialist, Gender And Crisis

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
The new UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025 sets out an ambitious agenda to significantly advance the future of development and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, including signature solutions on Gender Equality (Signature Solution 6) and Resilience (Signature Solution 3). The new UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025 builds on the lessons of the previous strategies and has established as its main goal to help governments to shift systems and power structures that generate gender inequalities and women’s disempowerment. It will work through its six signature solutions on poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality; and promote integrated approaches in each thematic area, stronger investments in data and analysis, the implementation of innovative solutions to transform social norms, and stronger partnerships with UN agencies and with civil society. UNDP’s new Crisis Offer reinforces these commitments, accompanied by the Ten Point Action Agenda for Advancing Gender Equality in Crisis Settings (10PAA) . The 10PAA is a roadmap to guide development programming to transform and advance gender equality in crisis contexts. It represents a strong commitment to go deeper and address power imbalances, which feed inequalities, conflicts, and crises.
Within UNDP’s Global Policy Network, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Crisis Bureau aims to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to anticipate crises and shocks and address the multidimensional crisis in a comprehensive way. Towards this goal, and the progress of the Women Peace and Security agenda and advance gender equality in crisis contexts, a Gender and Crisis Facility has been established within BPPS’ Gender team supported by the Crisis Bureau (Fragility Policy and Engagement Team), to strengthen its work across the Global Policy Network to enable and support Regional Bureaus and Country Offices to deliver transformative gender programming, as per the 10PAA; and invest in interventions that tackle structural gender inequalities while responding to the intersecting and diverse needs of women and directly challenging harmful gender norms and power imbalances that drive both gender inequalities and crises. The Facility has established as key priorities women’s economic empowerment, and women’s participation and leadership as transformational accelerators for change.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
Under The Direct Supervision Of The Senior Policy Advisor On Gender And Crisis, The Policy Specialist Will Be Responsible For Contributing To The Following

• Programme and Management Support
• Knowledge Management, Learning and Innovation
• Research and Analysis for Policy Formulation and Resource Mobilization

Duties And Responsibilities

• Contribute inputs related to gender in crisis issues to knowledge management activities, platforms and consultations, including through the GPN Communities of Practice, to help influence/advance policy dialogue in the thematic areas in collaboration with policy teams at HQ and in Regional Bureaus/Hubs.
• Coordinate, analyze and document results/lessons learned, including best practice for annual reporting to the SG’s report on WPS, SG’s 7-point action plan, Compact on WPS and Humanitarian Action, Annual Report to the Administrator on the implementation of the GES and UNDP Gender Steering and Implementation Committee, among others.
• Knowledge Management, Learning and Innovation
• Liaise with UNDP/UN Funding Windows to ensure timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation of proposals.
• Programme and Management Support
• Research and Analysis for Policy Formulation and Resource Mobilization
• Support the day-to-day delivery of the Gender and Crisis Engagement Facility, providing technical and operational support, including in financial management, implementation of activities and donor reporting.
• Collate and manage a comprehensive repository of gender and crisis related knowledge products in line with corporate guidelines and using corporate tools (e.g., MS Teams, Zoom, SparkBlue), in collaboration with other members of the Gender Team, the CB Thought Leadership, Knowledge and Learning team (CFPET) and other relevant teams.
• Serve as secretariat for the UNDP internal WPS Coordination Group, which meets monthly; and coordinate future webinars, training events and other high-visibility events.
• Support resource mobilization efforts, including identifying funding opportunities and supporting the preparation of funding proposals, donor briefings, etc.
• Ensure quality assurance and foster policy innovation by reviewing lessons learned and evaluations to enhance programme delivery.
• Collaborate with Crisis Bureau thematic teams, Regional Bureaux and the broader GPN, in their provision of gender responsive advisory services to country offices related to the area of WPS and Gender in Crisis settings and strengthening of gender responsive programming.
• Conduct gender-responsive analysis, research and horizon scanning to inform evidence-based policy formulation on gender in fragile and crisis contexts; in close collaboration with the BPPS Gender Team, CB Risk Anticipation Hub, other relevant GPN teams and Regional Hubs; positioning UNDP as a thought leader in the gender and crisis space.
• Support proposal review, including but not limited to the PBSO Peacebuilding Fund and the Gender and Youth Promotion Initiative (GYPI).
• Support UNDP activities related to UNSCR 1325 and other annual events. Activities may include the organization of Side Events, outreach and advocacy in conjunction with relevant teams and bureaus, as well as across the UN system.
• Provide substantive input to support advocacy in various fora, including the Group of Friends of WPS, Steering Committee on WPS, Informal Experts Group on WPS, academia and civil society.
• Prepare briefing notes, speeches, communications and presentations in line with the latest developments and trends in the area of WPS, gender and crisis to ensure UNDP, CB and GPN management are fully informed of ongoing initiatives and opportunities, and help position UNDP effectively on WPS, in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Support collaboration efforts between the Gender and Crisis Facility and Innovations Labs on transformative change for gender equality in crisis settings.
• Provide technical support to the development and implementation of a capacity development/learning plan on integration of gender equality in crisis settings for regional and country office levels, including learning labs, mentorship programmes, among others.

Competencies
Core
Achieve Results

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt With Agility

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act With Determination

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage And Partner

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity And Inclusion

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
2030 Agenda People - Gender

• Women, Peace and Security.

2030 Agenda People - Gender

• Gender Issues and Analysis.

2030 Agenda: People - Gender:

• Gender Mainstreaming.

2030 Agenda: People - Crisis management / Country Management:

• Support Crisis programming.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness - Effectiveness:

• RBM standards and practices for programming

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness - Effectiveness:

• Performance and data analysis and sharing lessons.

Education
Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in gender studies, international development or related fields.

Experience

• Proficiency in communications and advocacy is desired.
• Familiarity with relevant regional and global organizations and the ability to coordinate and maintain networks is desired.
• Knowledge and experience of UNDP and UN system policies and programming is desired.
• 5 years of professional work experience in providing policy advice, programme support, and conducting research and analytics on gender in crisis situations is required.
• Solid and proven experience working in crisis, post-conflict, transition and/or fragile settings is desired.

Language Requirement

• Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

Note
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.
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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