Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 19 May 2018
Since the December 2013 crisis, the Republic of South Sudan continued to face a worsening spiral of humanitarian, development, economic and security crises of unprecedented proportions. Several drivers of conflict, some new and others heightened by the conflict, have emerged around poorly managed decentralization, corruption, marginalization, ethnic rivalries and exclusionary politics, and unaddressed local grievances that have fed localized militias and insurgencies in the country. In July 2017, IGAD initiated the process of convening a High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) to put ARCSS on track and reinforce its implementation within firm and credible timeframes. Subsequent to several inclusive preliminary consultations, the parties to the conflict signed the “Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access” in Addis Ababa on December 21, 2017. The third phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum is ongoing with strong support from faith based and civil society organizations including women led organizations.
Conflict and various economic and natural shocks have increased the vulnerability of communities, particularly women and girls as a result of their gendered roles and traditional norms that limit their voice, mobility and access to information and resources. As a result, women headed households are overrepresented among the poor and women and girls have been targets of gender based violence (GBV), especially sexual violence, as a weapon of war. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) data has highlighted that 5.3 million people (48% of the population) are estimated to be facing Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4) acute food insecurity, out of which 1 million people are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity.
As part of the peace deal (2015), the government initiated the preparation of the national development strategy (NDS) which seeks to provide strategic direction and key priorities across economy, basic services and governance cluster for the period July 2018 to June 2021. The NDS that prioritizes consolidating peace and stabilizing the economy is expected to be launched in the second quarter of 2018 and aims to ensure that all South Sudanese feel safe, enjoy stable prices and access basic services.
Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) is one of the core objectives of UNDP and is implemented throughout the organization in a two-pronged approach; mainstreaming gender in all core practices, and dedicated interventions that empower women and promote gender equality. UNDPs work on gender is guided by the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UNSCR 1325 and related conventions addressing Women, Peace, and Security and the Agenda 2030. Those frameworks are reflected in the UNDPs Gender Strategy and its newly developed 7-point plan addressing Gender and Recovery in a post conflict and post disaster environment. In South Sudan, through the Interim Cooperation Framework 2016-2018 and in collaboration with UN Gender Task team, UNDP’s gender initiatives are anchored in the Country Programme Document 2016-2018. The current commitments are; 1) preventing and addressing Gender Based Violence, 2) advancing gender justice by increasing access to justice for women, reform of security and justice systems, and transitional justice, 3) Promoting women and women’s organizations as leaders and decisions makers – including in the peace process, 4) Promoting women economic empowerment through livelihood programmes and innovative interventions, including through access and control of resources; 5) Ensuring that gender equality is at the core of disaster risk reduction and recovery, and 6) Addressing gender vulnerabilities to HIV and in particular support initiatives to promote the rights of women and girls living with HIV in South Sudan. UNDP contributes to the UN Joint Programme on SGBV.
Under the guidance of the DGSU Chief Programme Advisor, in collaboration with HDIGU Chief Programme Advisor, Chief Technical Advisors, Team Leaders, Programme Specialist, Programme Analysts, and Project Managers in Democratic Governance and Stabilization Unit (DGSU), the Human Development Inclusive Growth Unit (HDIG), Strategic Analysis Unit (SAU) and the Programme and Management Support Unit (PMSU), the Gender Specialist supports the whole Country Office on mainstreaming Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) in UNDP CO Programmes and Operations.
III. Duties and Responsibilities
1.Provide advice and support to UNDP management, programmes, projects, budgets and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results:
q Conduct county gender analysis and provide substantive inputs to UNDAF, CPD, and other strategic documents as it relates to GEWE.
q Undertake gender analysis of policy and programme documents including country offices reports in institutionalizing gender mainstreaming for development effectiveness.
q Prepares high quality bankable gender responsive programme and projects relevant to the current country context and present the same to donors and government counterparts
q Ensure monitoring and evaluation of GEWE across the programmes.
q Ensure that UNDP programmes are in line with national gender policies and priorities.
q Production and launch of gender reports.
q Provide technical backstopping in the collection and use of sex-disaggregated statistical data and gender analysis for development of engendered programme and project reports.
q Represent UNDP in different working groups and interagency working groups.
2.Facilitate knowledge development and sharing on gender issues across programme and operations in order to achieve the following results:
q Support the development of national knowledge products and disseminate best practices;
q Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned.
q Ensure knowledge sharing, documentation and dissemination of good practices on gender equality, women’s empowerment and rights within the UNCT and the broader UN system;
q Comment on and contribute to knowledge products developed by the CO, programme and projects.
q Act as resource person in capacity building, knowledge sharing events and other relevant activities on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the UN System;
q Assessment of the country's gender policies and their impact on poverty reduction, growth, equity, etc.
q Ensure that UNDP staff and national partners have and understanding of gender equality and women empowerment in the areas of intervention.
3.Ensure effective management and implementation of the gender equality strategy and the CO Gender Seal certification process and affiliated deliverables.
q Effective application of Results Based Management tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of gender sensitive results;
q Constant monitoring and analysis of the policy environment, timely readjustment of gender equality strategy and the gender seal action plan;
q Ensure up to date policy advice and facilitate knowledge development and sharing on gender issues across programme and operations,
q Lead and support the Gender Seal Certification initiative of the Country Office;
q Prepare quarterly reports and other reports as necessary.
4.Establish partnerships and support to resource mobilizationin order to achieve the following results:
q Development of partnerships with other UN Agencies, including the Gender Task Team and the ICF outcome group on gender;
q Undertake selected studies/research on emerging development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes.
q Liaise and work with donor agencies to mobilize additional resources for the gender-related activities.
5.Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:
q Public and policy advocacy for corporate gender policies, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;
q Management of events and publications on gender issues including organizing roundtables and conferences to stimulate reforms and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
IV. Competencies and Selection Criteria
Description of Competency at Level Required
Core
Innovation -Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully
Leadership -Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others
People Management -Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 4: Models independent thinking and action
Communication –
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis
Delivery -Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services
Technical/Functional
Advocacy
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Building Strategic Partnership
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Knowledge Management and Learning
Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Management and Leadership
Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
V. Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
Masters Degree in social science with a focus on gender studies, or relevant discipline. A Bachelor’s degree in social science with a focus on gender studies or relevant discipline with 4 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the substantive area may be considered in lieu of a Master’s Degree.
Experience:
· Minimum 2 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the substantive area
· Experience in gender responsive analysis and project development in a developing country context
· Knowledge of the gender equality issues in a crisis and humanitarian country context in Africa is desirable
· Experience in research and policy-level analysis;
· Excellent drafting and presentation skills;
· Substantial experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of gender projects;
· Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English language spoken and written, Knowledge of Arabic language is desirable but not a requirement.
How to apply:
This vacancy announcement is for qualified South Sudanese nationals only
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.undp.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNDP Personal History Form. Please note that UNDP only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received throughhttp://jobs.undp.orgwill be considered and applications received after closing date will not be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNDP South Sudan vacancies, only applicants short-listed for written test and interview will be contacted.
General Information
UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and persons with disabilities.
UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNDP jobs.
UNDP has zero tolerance of sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.
The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, testing, interviewing, etc). The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.