Gender Consultant

Result of ServiceThe Gender Consultant will provide technical guidance and expertise to fully mainstreamed gender considerations in climate change portfolio projects. This include conducting participatory gender analyses, developing gender action plans and identifying strategic entry points to empower women, promote gender equality, ensure gender-responsive approaches to project design, implementation and monitoring and generation and dissemination of gender knowledge and the activities described in section 4.2. Specific tasks and responsibilities The Gender Consultant will contribute to the effective implementation of projects by guaranteeing gender mainstreaming, and developing the following tasks: Output 1: Institutional and technical capacities strengthening for gender mainstreaming (linked to Output 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 of NAP Panama, output 3.1.3 of NAP SLV, output 1.1 of Resilient watershed, output 1.1 Carbon market and art.6) Associated projects activities: Activity 1.1. Integrate gender approach as an integral vision of climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and generate capacities for both groups of men and women so they can be actively involved in decision-making processes established in the projects. Activity 1.2. Develop a course of action to ensure meaningful participation of women and men in different working and training groups. Activity 1.3. Provide guidance and training in conducting gender approach in the elaboration of assessments, analysis, planning and other documents to the climate change unit team, national projects unit and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Activity 1.4. Review and prepare documents to integrate gender in climate change adaptation planning process at sectoral and subnational level including watershed planning. Activity 1.5. Review and provide recommendations on establishing cooperation channels between gender institutional mechanisms and responsible institutions included in project implementation. Activity 1.6. Elaborate a comprehensive Gender Action Plan for NAP El Salvador, NAP Panama, Resilient Watershed project, and Carbon Market and art.6 project. Activity 1.7. Identify and map relevant women’s organizations (governmental and non-governmental) that will be part of the stakeholder engagement plan. Activity 1.8. Provide technical guidance on policy and legal framework assessments and barrier reports to ensure gender considerations are adequately reflected. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO and regional and national project coordinators, will contribute to fully mainstreaming gender technical considerations into projects. Output 2: Gender-responsive evidence base and assessment mechanisms established to inform inclusive adaptation planning (Outcome 3.2 of NAP PAN and SLV, Output 1.1 Resilient Watershed-climate information and assessment component) Associated activities Activity 2.1. Conduct gender-sensitive capacity and data needs assessment for hydrometeorological data collection and analysis. Activity 2.2. Review and provide technical inputs to ensure that socioeconomic scenarios, as well as climate change impact and risk analyses, adequately integrate gender perspectives. Activity 2.3. Provide guidance for determining whether data exists or there is a need to collect data and monitor change from a gender perspective. Activity 2.4. Review and collaborate to incorporate sex-disaggregated data and gender variables in models or scenarios used for vulnerability and risk assessments. Activity 2.5. Provide guidance and expertise on the intersection of gender with other social factors (ethnicity, age, poverty, others) in the context of climate risk and vulnerabilities to promote inclusive adaptation strategies. Activity 2.6. Review reports and technical products related to climate risk assessments, vulnerability and socioeconomic analysis to ensure consistency with UNEP's gender principles and strategies and gender project plan. Activity 2.7. Develop gender-sensitive situational assessments of stakeholders' capacity for analysis and use of climate, hydrological and EbA information in planning processes, policy frameworks and adaptation action. Activity 2.8. Develop frameworks of gender-sensitive indicators for vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessments. Activity 2.9. Prepare technical documents with gender-sensitive inputs and recommendations to promote social equity for the mitigation and adaptation portfolio projects. Responsibility: In coordination with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit at UNEP LACO and the regional and national project coordinators, the consultant will promote the integration of gender considerations into climate scenarios, socioeconomic projections, and climate risk and vulnerability assessments. Responsibilities include the development of technical documents with gender-sensitive analyses and recommendations, including: a) methodological inputs to promote a social equity approach in project design; b) gender-sensitive indicator frameworks for vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessments; and c) a situational assessment of stakeholders’ capacities to apply climate, hydrological, and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) information in planning and policy processes. Output 3: Inclusive participation and consultation processes strengthened through gender-responsive stakeholder engagement strategies (Outcome 3.3 of NAP PAN and SLV, Output 1.1 Resilient Watershed) Associated activities Activity 3.1. Facilitate gender-responsive consultations that ensure equitable participation of women, men and vulnerable groups in all projects decision-making processes. Activity 3.2. Develop differentiated participation strategies documents that consider the specific needs, schedules and limitations of women and men. Activity 3.3. Participate in national expert group meetings, official events, conferences, and dissemination workshops for the projects. Activity 3.4. Provide technical inputs for incorporation of gender approach (language, statistics, presentation of information, participatory approaches, among others) in reports of workshops and other meetings within the framework of projects and documents. Activity 3.5. Facilitate intersectoral dialogues that promote collaboration between government actors, private sector, civil society and local communities with gender perspective. Activity 3.6. Design and implement inclusive participation strategies that guarantee equitable representation in all project consultation and decision-making processes. Activity 3.7. Develop a gender-responsive Stakeholder Engagement Plan to guide inclusive consultation and outreach throughout project implementation Responsibility: The consultant will design and implement inclusive participation strategies that ensure equitable representation in all project consultation and decision-making processes. Output 4: Knowledge generation and technical planning capacities enhanced through gender-responsive tools, indicators, and guidance systems to support effective gender integration. (Outcome 3.4 NAP PAN and SLV, GCF readiness for carbon markets and article 6). Associated activities Activity 4.1. Design gender-responsive implementation indicators that are objectively (quantitative) and subjectively (qualitative) verifiable. Activity 4.2. Develop technical guidelines for integrating gender considerations into carbon market mechanisms, including Article 6 cooperative approaches and transparency frameworks under the Paris Agreement. Activity 4.3. Prepare documents with recommendations for integrating gender aspects in climate finance strategy and mechanisms. Activity 4.3. Develop knowledge products that document lessons learned, good practices and tools for integrating gender approach in climate adaptation. Activity 4.6. Provide technical support for gender-responsive measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems under the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement. Activity 4.7. Analyze gender differentiated impacts and benefits of carbon market initiatives to ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Activity 4.8. Summarize findings on gender and climate in a publication and make that information available for dissemination. Activity 4.9. Participate in the development of documents on gender and climate change adaptation, including guidance on policy and legal framework assessments and barrier reports. Activity 4.10. Provide guidance about available information and knowledge to contribute to the integration of gender considerations in climate change portfolio projects. Activity 4.11. Provide gender-focused technical inputs to ensure strategies meaningfully integrate gender equality and the specific regional realities of Latin America and the Caribbean. Activity 4.12. Create technical tools and guides for gender mainstreaming in climate change portfolio projects. Responsibility: The consultant will develop comprehensive gender-responsive technical products, analytical frameworks, and implementation guidance that serve as authoritative references for gender mainstreaming across climate adaptation projects and carbon market mechanisms. This includes designing verifiable gender indicators, creating technical guidelines for Article 6 cooperative approaches and Enhanced Transparency Framework requirements under the Paris Agreement, and conducting rigorous analysis of gender-differentiated impacts within carbon market initiatives. The consultant will provide expert technical support for gender-responsive measurement, reporting, and verification systems while developing specialized knowledge products that document evidence-based practices for climate finance strategies. Work LocationPanama City, Panama Expected duration12 MONTHS Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions. The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub- programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment is effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. To fulfill the objectives of projects the UN Environment Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is recruiting a Gender Consultant to provide technical guidance, expertise and facilitate to fully mainstreamed gender considerations in climate change projects and strengthen the added value of UNEP’s work in the Latin America and the Caribbean region through socially inclusive planning and programming. The main objective of the Gender Consultant is to ensure that stakeholder consultations are gender-responsive, integrate gender analysis results into project documents, and use these results to identify opportunities and gaps, helping to better understand and address gender concerns within the project's context. This involves conducting participatory gender analyses, developing gender action plans and identifying strategic entry points to empower women, promote gender equality and ensure gender-responsive approaches to project design, implementation and monitoring. The consultant’s expertise is expected to strengthen the following projects in the climate change portfolio: 1. National Adaptation Plans (NAP Panama and NAP Salvador) NAP projects aim to strengthen institutional engagement and capacities to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes, considering stakeholders at multiple levels. The NAP project´s seeks to achieve its objective through 4 components: • Adaptation planning, governance and institutional coordination strengthened. • Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact. • Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed. • Adaptation finance increased. 2. Resilient Watershed- to promote the adaptation planning in the water sector in Panama Resilient Watershed-To support the adaptation planning in the water sector in Panama, it is pivotal to have access to quality climate and hydrological data, technical capacities to analyze and use such data to inform planning processes and demonstrate cost-effective adaptation solutions as Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Measures. As a result, UNEP is working with the government of Panama to execute a two-years project “Fostering climate change adaptation in Panama through ecosystem approach for water security at the water basin level” funded by the European Union via the Program EUROCLIMA+. The aim of the project is to transform the planning processes for adaptation to climate change in the water sector in Panama through enhancing climate information for 10 watersheds, strengthening institutional capacities and demonstrating Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) solutions in three watersheds. The project is organized in four main areas of work: (1) Improve and tailor climate data and information for effective adaptation planning and action in the water sector; (2) Enhance institutional capacity for climate-informed adaptation planning in the water sector; (3) Pilot Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) interventions to build resilience of communities and ecosystems in selected watershed; (4) Enhance knowledge management and learning to inform policy making and upscaling of best practices. 3. GCF Readiness for Carbon markets and Art.6 This project seeks to collectively improve: i) the overall knowledge of the scope and functioning of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and El Salvador through a regional approach and, ii) support the relevant stakeholders from these participating countries to comply with the institutional, technical and operational requirements to establish or participate in new or existing carbon markets. This will not only support the participating countries to comply with the goals established in their NDCs but also allow the national governments to increase their ambition, transparency and cooperation among parties in their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Gender Consultant will operate under the overall supervision of The Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO. The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time and will be located at the UNEP LACO office in Panama City, Panama. Additionally, he/ she will work in close collaboration with UNEP´S Climate Change team, the MARN in El Salvador, MiAmbiente in Panama and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC • Bachelor's degree in gender studies, social studies, sustainable development, environmental studies, law, sociology, anthropology, international relations and policy, or a closely related field is required. • Master’s degree in gender studies, development studies, poverty reduction, international policy, international cooperation, sustainable development, social sciences or a related field is required. PROFESSIONAL: • Two years (2) of relevant professional experience with gender policies or climate change, social assessments and safeguards, stakeholder engagement, human rights, or intersectional approaches to environmental and social governance is required. • Demonstrated experience in integrating gender considerations into climate change adaptation or mitigation policies, programs, or projects is desirable. • Demonstrated understanding of the links between sustainable development, social and gender issues is desirable • Experience in conducting gender analysis, formulating gender responsive indicators and sex-disaggregated data and preparing gender responsive project analysis; developing gender-responsive strategies, formulating, developing gender action plans monitoring and evaluating gender mainstreaming efforts is desirable. • Experience in engaging and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and international institutions is desirable. • Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building programs, workshops, or training sessions on gender and adaptation to climate change integration is desirable. • Experience in policy advocacy, including preparing policy briefs, engaging with policymakers, and participating in conferences and forums to promote gender-responsive climate action is desirable. • Previous work experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is desirable. • Experience with international organizations will be an advantage. • Knowledge of UN Environment policies, procedures and practices will be an asset. LANGUAGE: • Fluency in Spanish is required. • Confident level in English is desirable. SKILLS: · Strong understanding of the gender dimensions of climate change adaptation and the ability to analyze and address gender-specific vulnerabilities and impacts is desirable. · Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity is desirable. · Demonstrate ability to build partnerships, facilitate dialogues, and work in multicultural settings is desirable. · Familiarity with key concepts, frameworks, and international agreements related to gender equality, just transition and climate change adaptation is desirable. · Demonstrated understanding of the link between gender and climate change adaptation and other social categories is desirable. · Strong ability to analyze data and policies from an intersectional gender lens approach is desirable. · Ability to provide guidance on a gender intersectional approach for climate change is desirable. · Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products is desirable. · Ability to communicate complex and technical ideas to a lay audience is desirable. · Ability to build strong working relationships with people from different functions in a multicultural environment is desirable. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. • 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. • Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • 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. LanguagesNot available. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.