UNICEF recruits 01 Gender and Adolescent Programme Specialist, P4

Gender and Adolescent Programme Specialist, P4, FT, Niamey #99002

Job Number: 523579 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Niger

Work Type : Fixed Term Appointment

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, passion.

UNICEF’s work on gender equality is guided by the Gender Action, which advances gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in key areas of UNICEF’s work. The GAP identifies four targeted gender priorities – ending child marriage, promoting gender-responsive adolescent health, advancing girl’s secondary education, and addressing gender-based violence in emergencies – and elucidates the gender dimensions within each of UNICEF’s seven strategic outcome areas – Health, Nutrition, Water Sanitation & Hygiene, Education, Child Protection, HIV/AIDs and Social Inclusion. Additionally, the GAP includes indicators for measuring the success of UNICEF’s gender programming and outlines steps to strengthen UNICEF’s institutional effectiveness in promoting gender equality throughout its programmatic work.

In Niger, social and gender norms present significant challenges for children. Adolescents and youth, particularly girls, face major constraints in fulfilling their potential: 76 per cent of girls are married before the age of 18 years and 36 per cent of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years have already given birth or are pregnant and only 26.9 per cent are literate versus 50.2 per cent of boys. Gender-based violence is prevalent and 59.6 per cent of women think that a man has reasons to batter his own wife. Adolescent development and participation is inextricably linked to social norms, many of them gender norms. For this reason, the new Niger-UNICEF country programme 2019-2021 introduces a new programme component on adolescents and social norms, with a special focus on adolescent and youth participation and agency, and plans to focus on gender norms, as well as adolescent development and participation in all of its programmatic components (Child Survival, Nutrition, Education, WASH, Protection, Social Inclusion). The coordination of this strategic workstream across sectors is under the leadership of the Deputy Representative, in order to ensure optimal programmatic coherence.

How can you make a difference?

In order to increase dedicated gender capacity and expertise in Country Offices, the GAP Steering Committee has specified that Gender Programme Specialists at Level 4 be senior enough within the office structure to carry influence in their own right, and be given an office-wide mandate to engage with sectors in meaningful programming.

The Gender and Adolescent Development Programme Specialist reports to the Deputy Representative who is at the P5 level.

In alignment with the GAP, the role of the Gender Programme Specialist is primarily technical and programmatic, with the normative advocacy and coordination roles serving as a secondary function. The Specialist provides authoritative technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results contributing to gender equality in alignment with the Gender Action Plan. S/he supports the development, implementation, and monitoring of high quality gender programming across sectors in alignment with the Gender Action Plan. S/he

Supports senior programme colleagues and management of the Country Office to advance one or more of the four Targeted Gender Priorities in the Gender Action Plan with support from the Regional Gender Adviser. S/he also plays a role in working with one or more of the 7 UNICEF sectors to mainstream gender by prioritizing key gender results within the sector(s) with a strong gender relevance;

Leads cross-sectional collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results;

Works with programme colleagues and management so that gender results are effectively defined, measured, and reported, and high quality assessment, research, evidence generation and evaluation on gender programming is undertaken and utilized, including through the application of the MoRES framework and effective theories of change;

Supports/leads effective review, assessment, planning, capacity building, and knowledge management on gender;

Supports the assessment and identification of gender needs for emergency preparedness and response, and provides gender relevant guidance and technical input on emergency programming.

In addition, in a context where gender norms and adolescent empowerment and development are strongly interlinked, and Adolescent development and participation is a key component of the Country Programme, the Specialist provides support to country office colleagues and internal and external partners and stakeholders throughout the programming processes by providing technical, administrative and operational support to ensure that gender-sensitive adolescent development and participation and child rights established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies, are integrated in UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programmes and humanitarian work.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Management and/or advisory support to Deputy Representative

Actively participate in Country Management Team (CMT); Programme Coordination Team; partnerships, research, financial and contract review committees; and other key country-specific leadership teams to ensure strategic inclusion of gender and adolescent development in all country-specific programming.

Coordinate with the Regional Gender Advisors and the Headquarters Gender Section to plan, utilize, monitor and report on the Gender Thematic Fund, or other programmatic funds with large gender components that are allocated to the country-specific interventions for the Country Programme, under the Country Office senior management.

In collaboration with sectoral colleagues and under the guidance of Deputy Representative, participate in the planning and monitoring of the utilization of the budget allocated to sectoral and cross-sectoral gender and adolescent development interventions with sectoral colleagues.

Lead the gender component and support he adolescent development components of the reporting of the routine country-level programme expenditures, including the annual reporting and the RAM.

Provide technical input and review on the gender components in key funding proposal appeals and submissions and in the design of funded projects/programs so that gender technical components are clearly defined and technical capacities are included.

Lead the development of multisectoral gender-sensitive adolescent development funding proposals, in cooperation with relevant sections.

Provide high-level technical support for the Deputy Representative to set up and manage a strong coordination mechanism with the UNICEF CO to facilitate integrated, gender-sensitive, holistic delivery of results for adolescents.

2. Program development and planning (including emergency contexts)

Lead and/or support the evidence-based programme planning on gender, and adolescent development incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results – especially in the event of the Country Programme development and Mid-Term Review.

Provide technical leadership on integration of gender, and on integration of adolescent development programming, into country programming phases, including strategic planning, SitAns, strategic moments of reflection, CPDs, CPMPs, mid-term reviews, extended annual reviews, programme component strategy notes and in the programmatic assessment and institutional strengthening components of gender reviews.

In collaboration with sectoral colleagues, identify the areas of focus for gender programming with the greatest potential for impact and scale, in alignment with the GAP and the country/regional priorities.

In collaboration with sectoral colleagues, identify the areas of focus for gender-sensitive adolescent development programming, and promote cross-sectoral interventions on adolescent development in line with the UNICEF programme guidance for the second decade.

Work with sectoral counterparts to incorporate sound gender indicators and measures in programme and policy initiatives, proposals, and advocacy efforts and assist in developing gender-sensitive theories of change models for sector and cross-sectoral programming in alignment with the MoRES framework.

Work with sectoral counterparts and with C4D, to analyze gender and social norms, particularly with an impact on adolescent development and participation, and contribute to the shaping of the programmatic strategies to address the stumbling blocks to gender-sensitive adolescent development in the country.

Advise sectoral colleagues and country office management on mechanisms for systematic engagement with adolescents in the design, implementation and review of results.

3. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (including emergency contexts)

Provide technical support in indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking as it relates to gender mainstreaming and the Targeted Gender Priorities, as well as adolescent programming, in collaboration with Planning, M&E and planning section and sectoral teams.

Lead cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender, adolescent development, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results.

Support the strengthening of data systems and collection, as well as accountability mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress on gender results, and adolescent development results.

Support high quality reporting on gender results, and a biannual performance review of GAP specified results.

Work closely with evaluation colleagues to effectively integrate data collection, tracking, analysis and reporting on the indicators for the GAP into programme results and gender performance benchmarks into M&E systems.

Prepare a consolidated monitoring and evaluation framework for adolescent results and monitor progress.

Support and strengthen the quality of research and evidence building on gender related programming, and adolescent development programming, bringing in the latest learning and insights from the field of gender and development, and putting in place a coherent, well-prioritized research agenda in alignment with the GAP.

Oversee the planning and implementation of the gender reviews and make sure that the recommendations that come out of the gender review are integrated into the Country Programme strategy and action plans and humanitarian strategies and action plans in emergency contexts.

Actively represent UNICEF in relevant coordination bodies at the inter-agency level (gender theme group or other networks, GBV cluster if relevant), participate as a member of steering committees, and provide close oversight of inter-agency joint programmes.

Lead UNICEF participation, in collaboration with relevant sectors,  on UN joint workplanning and joint programming, as well as joint resource mobilization on adolescent development.

4. Advisory services and technical support

Provide technical support and guidance to national government, NGOs, UN Agencies and other country-level and local-level partners on aspects of gender programming, as well as on aspects of adolescent development programming, and to ensure incorporation of gender indicators and measures in programmes/projects, policy initiatives, proposals, and M&E systems.

Provide technical support and advocacy to reporting and follow-up on international and regional gender equality commitments, and adolescent and youth committments made by the countries.

Support the development of adequate emergency preparedness measures, updating of contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms that reflect gender needs and adolescent needs.

Support the development and of sex-disaggregated databases on information crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency plans.

Support the development and deployment of emergency training that incorporates gender issues and relevant strategies.

Lead and/or participate in needs assessment missions on gender, and in the event of an emergency, be deployed as a member of the Emergency Response Team.

Identify implementing/operational partners, and establish implementing arrangements in order to ensure an effective, gender-inclusive emergency response.

5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

Liaise and consult with sections, government and other external partners (civil society, NGOs, UN Agencies, private sector) to identify areas for convergence, and develop and reinforce partnerships in gender programming and adolescent programming.

Forge and support internal and external partnerships and networks in the development of harmonized, gender-transformative programme interventions.

Build strategic alliances for gender equality and around adolescent results with various partners, including institutional links with UN agencies and other relevant entities.

Collaborate with other UN agencies and partners to enhance robust gender results in sectoral programmes at the country level. If necessary, represent UNICEF in external meetings on gender integration into sectoral and cross-sectoral results, including UN Country Team meetings and UNDAF/UNAF preparations.

Lead mapping of potential new partnerships and leverage existing partnerships to accelerate GAP implementation at the country level in determined priority areas.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Initiate documentation and sharing of the country-level experience in gender programming and lessons learned, as well as in adolescent development programming, which will be shared with internal network and external partners and utilized for South-South cooperation.

Represent the country office at sectoral, country-level and regional-level network meetings, and ensure best practices on gender programming and adolescent development programming are highlighted in these forums.

Bring best practices in gender programming and measurement to the attention of senior management and sectoral colleagues, as well as Regional Gender Advisor and gender section staff at HQ.

Support and conduct innovative research on gender, and adolescent development, at the country-level.

Support Regional Gender Advisor in advancing the technical and research capacity of country-level staff, offices and programs on gender to continue to build evidence base for programming and to ensure continuous capacity in gender at Country Office level.

Support management and HR in the development of systems, tools and processes that enable staff members and external partners to enhance their understanding and adoption of gender sensitive behaviors and to support implementation of the GAP.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work (e.g. Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Social Inclusion, HIV/AIDs, etc.).

Academic credentials in gender are a strong asset.

Minimum eight years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on gender and development in key issue areas that are the focus of UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan.

Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes on gender and development or any other cross cutting programme, especially at country/field level, experience in emergency response is an asset.

Experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development-related areas.

Fluency in French and English is requires.

Fluency in another UN language an asset.

Knowledge of local working language of the duty station/region is an asset.

For every Child you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional Competencies:

Leading and Supervising (II)

Formulating Strategies and Concepts (III)

Analyzing (III)

Relating and Networking (III)

Deciding and Initiating Action (II)

Persuading and Influencing (III)

Applying technical skills (III)

Entrepreneurial thinking (II)

Technical knowledge

Strong substantive, technical, programmatic and research skills in gender along with sectoral expertise in at least one of the following sectors: Health, Education, WASH, HIV/AIDS, Protection, Social Policy, C4D, ECD, and combined expertise in Adolescent development.

Proven ability to connect sectoral issues and programmatic approaches on gender, and to link gender approaches to adolescent development programming strategies; experience with this in emergency contexts an asset.

Substantive knowledge and experience integrating gender into humanitarian responses and programming, including needs assessment, programme implementation and monitoring, an asset.

Proven rigor in analytical, conceptual and programme design skills relevant to gender and development with an understanding of theories of change and path from intervention to results.

Demonstrated experience in conducting research and analysis on gender, and/or adolescent development, including quantitative research methodologies, and monitoring and evaluation.

Wide knowledge and understanding of country/regional/global gender equality issues, specifically relating to adolescents, and the current trends, methods and approaches. Familiarity and work experience in the country/region of preferred placement also an asset.

Demonstrated success in developing proposals and securing resources for programme and research initiatives with a strong gender component, and/or with specific focus on gender and adolescent development.

Ability to contextualize and be able to translate the approaches into practicable programme design in complex environments where gender issues, social norms, and norms related to adolescent participation and development are often sensitive to raise.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to write succinctly and clearly and speak in public forums compellingly and with confidence.

High level of initiative and independence in ability to undertake complex tasks while proactively seeking relevant input, cooperation, and guidance from key constituents.

Experience and demonstrated ability to motivate others and create and encourage a climate of teamwork and collaboration across sectors and in a multi-cultural environment.

Ability to make effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others inside and outside UNICEF and negotiate a desired direction and/or outcome.

Ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, approaches, or insights and develop innovative ways to undertake projects and initiatives, shape solutions to problems.

Strategic thinker who can pull disparate ideas into a cohesive vision, strategy, plan that is positive and compelling for other to join, collaborate, and implement.

Proven ability to build rapport with individuals and groups and maintain an effective network of individuals across organizational departments as well externally.

View UNICEF competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

* Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date Tue Jul 16 2019 23:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)