Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) Specialist

Result of ServiceDesign of one comprehensive GESI survey, GESI Guidance Note in English and Spanish, Adaptation of the survey (English/Spanish) to understand prevailing attitudes about waste and women's, ethnic groups’ and minorities’ roles in waste management according to the country context and target stakeholders, and minutes of meetings held with partners. Work LocationRemote in the Caribbean and Latin American region Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The aim of this consultancy is to provide specialized support to the Cartagena Convention Secretariat and its GEF-funded project “Reduce Marine Plastics and Plastic Pollution in Latin American and Caribbean Cities through a Circular Economy Approach” (GEF LAC Cities). The consultant will be responsible for developing a strategy on GESI- Gender and Social Inclusion- for the regional project. This strategy will address identified risks, disparities, and opportunities related to gender, ethnic groups, and minorities and their involvement in the plastics value chain in Jamaica, Panama and Colombia. It will guide the implementation of targeted actions aimed at: • Increasing the participation of women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities across the plastics value chain; • Promoting equality in decision-making processes and leadership roles; and • Enhancing the economic empowerment of women, ethnic groups, and minorities. Scope of Assignment: This consultancy is for a GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) Specialist for the GEF LAC Cities project. The successful candidate will work remotely to provide support to the LAC Cities project implemented under the Cartagena Convention Secretariat. This consultancy is under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat with additional support from the Regional Project Manager, GEF LAC Cities. The GEF LAC Cities project aims to: 1. Support city authorities to set up regulatory frameworks and test key policy instruments to provide enabling conditions for developing a more circular plastic economy. 2. Address the lack of business innovation in target LAC cities, by stimulating circular design on products, service, business models, and collection and recycling systems, with value chain cooperation. 3. Tackle the lack of a common vision, approaches, and leadership for LAC cities by setting up an inter-city network to align regional strategy and actions to stimulate cities to cooperate at the regional level. 4. Develop various knowledge products, capacity-building activities, and monitoring schemes, to enable stakeholders to adopt best practices in more LAC cities. Note: Activities and deliverables will be adapted to the specific context of each country and/or city, as “ethnic groups” and “minorities” are defined and recognized differently across locations. The consultancy involves the development of a GESI (Gender and Social Inclusion) Plan with the following objectives: • Understand the role of plastic products in the lives of women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities (as relevant) at a personal, household, and business levels, and integrate these insights into policy frameworks and action plans. • Inform women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities about the proposed circularity action plans for the six project cities, ensuring a shared understanding of their objectives and expected outcomes. • Consult women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities in the design of circular economy pilot solutions for the six cities where the project is being implemented. • Identify and analyze the purchasing patterns of women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities to incorporate this information into the design of circular economy pilot initiatives. • Explore prevailing attitudes toward waste and the role of women and men, ethnic groups and minorities in waste management, to propose measures that address potential obstacles and barriers. • Support entrepreneurship in the circular economy sector among women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities. • Increase the participation of women and men, ethnic groups, and minorities in decision-making processes related to the intercity plastic pollution network in the region. • Develop and disseminate materials that highlight and celebrate the proactive roles of women, ethnic groups, and minorities in plastics management. Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in gender, sociology or similar degree. • A first-level university degree in sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology, and other related disciplines (bachelor’s degree) combined with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Experience of at least 5 years in understanding gender, ethnic groups and minorities challenges and barriers in the wider Caribbean region and Latin America. Experience in designing social surveys and using different tools and methodologies to do so. Experience working with a UN entity or international organization would be desirable. Accuracy and professionalism required. Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively; familiarity with tools and approaches related to GESI required. Experience collaborating with diverse audiences in Latin America and the Caribbean desirable. Experience working at the interface of social and environmental issues desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, proficiency in both oral and written English and Spanish required. 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.