Background:
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes.ย BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.ย BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data-driven including in its programme support efforts.
UNDP has achieved significant progress in making gender equality and womenโs empowerment integral to its work on human development. The new UNDP Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025 builds on the lessons of the previous strategies it has established as the main goal to help governments toย shift systems and power structuresย that generate gender inequalities and womenโs 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, and the implementation of innovative solutions to transform social norms, and stronger partnerships with UN agencies and with civil society.
The Gender Team (BPPS) has the leading role in the implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, including through the implementation of Gender Equality Global Program 2023-2025 and the Gender Equality Seal which will continue to be the UNDP global initiative for operationalizing this strategy.
Position Purpose:
Reporting to the Gender Specialist, Institutional Transformation and Gender Equality Seal for Development, and in close collaboration with the Head of Gender, the Gender Specialist will provide technical support for the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal for Development; Support and maintain strategic partnerships and contribute to resource mobilization; Ensure effective knowledge sharing, learning and advocacy; and Contribute to the implementation of the institutional transformation aspects of UNDPโs Gender Equality Strategy.
As such, the incumbent will have to demonstrate a level of agility and breadth of knowledge and skills to manage competing demands while delivering quality outputs of high standards.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide technical support for the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal for Development.
Contribute to the planning and implementation of the different tracks of the Gender Equality Seal for Development, including by drafting, monitoring, and reporting annual work plans. Provide on-site support to UNDP Teams based in New York who have expressed interest in adapting the Seal methodology to their structure and work (e.g.,ย Crisis Bureau, RBLAC, and South-South Cooperation for 2025-2026, among others).ย Provide technical assistance for Headquarters Teams, Regional Hubs and Country Offices participating in the Fifth Round of the Seal, including by conducting or reviewing assessments for quality assurance purposes, as needed. Contribute to the organization of technical support or appraisal missions and high-level events within the framework of the Gender Equality Seal for Development, as needed.Support and maintain strategic partnerships and contribute resource mobilization
Represent UNDP and the Gender Team in UN interagency coordination mechanisms, based in New York (e.g., UN-SWAP, GEAP and IANGWE, among others), to strengthen UNDPโs thought leadership role on institutional transformation for gender equality and to ensure interagency decisions are translated into UNDPโs corporate measures. Provide technical support to strengthen strategic partnerships on institutional transformation for gender equality. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for the expansion of this area of work, including by identifying funding opportunities, preparing funding proposals and donor briefings, and supporting in the setting up of new and innovative funding mechanisms, among others. Attend meetings, prepare concept notes, presentations, briefs and talking points for Senior Management as needed, including to communicate and propel ambitious results of the Seal.ยEnsure effective knowledge sharing, learning and advocacy.
Coordinate the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Knowledge Management and Learning Plans for the Fifth Round of the Gender Equality Seal for Development.ย Contribute to knowledge sharing and learning among the different Communities of Practice on gender equality operating within and beyond the Gender Equality Seal for Development, including by supporting the digital facilitation of sessions/events as needed. Manage and oversee the maintenance of the Gender Equality Seal for Developmentโs Digital Platform and provide advice on new technology opportunities to receive, capture and share knowledge. Coordinate the Gender Sealโs communications efforts, including editorial management and content for online spaces, development and dissemination of communication and knowledge products and liaison with relevant Bureaus/Teams.Contribute to the implementation of the institutional transformation aspects of UNDPโs Gender Equality Strategy.
Ensure the Gender Equality Seal continues to be the UNDP global initiative for operationalizing the Gender Equality Strategy. Contribute to the implementation of the institutional transformation aspects of the current GES 2022-2025 and to the drafting and implementation of the upcoming Gender Equality Strategy. Support coordination and foster synergies among the different tracks of work on institutional transformation. Engage with other New York based Bureaus/Teams (e.g. ExO, OHR, BMS, BERA, Evaluation/Audit teams)., to guide and strengthen the implementation of UN-SWAP/GEAP standards.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Competencies:
Core ย CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)
Achieve Results:
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact ย ยThink Innovatively:
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems ยLearn Continuously:
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiencesAdapt with Agility:
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsAct with Determination:
Engage and Partner:
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration ยEnable Diversity and Inclusion:
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
2030 Agenda: People: Gender
Gender Equality Seal for Developmentย Gender Equality and Institutional Transformationย Gender and Intersectional Analysis2030 Agenda:ย Engagement and Effectiveness:ย Effectiveness
RBM standards and practices for programming Performance analysis on programmingBusiness Management:ย Portfolio Management
Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio managementBusiness Direction & Strategy: System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Gender in studies or related fields is required. or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.ย Experience:
A minimum of 5 years (with masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of professional experience in gender and development, particularly in large-scale international organizations is required. Proven experience in the different dimensions addressed by the Gender Seal, including Institutional Transformation and Development Results, is highly desirable. Proven experience in strategic partnerships (both within and beyond the UN System) and resource mobilization is desirable. Proven experience in knowledge management and learning is required. Demonstrated experience in gender equality and womenโs empowerment as highly desirable. Proven experience managing online Communities of Practice, particularly related to gender equality, is desirable.ย Knowledge of UNDPโs work on gender equality and womenโs empowerment, and of gender equality certification schemes is highly desirable.ยLanguage:
Fluency in English, both written and oral, is required.ย
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
ย