UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child, empowerment The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does โ in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrenโs rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life โ in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions โ her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societyโs most disadvantaged citizens โ addressing inequity โ not only will give more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), while also supporting the equitable development of nations. UNICEF launched its Gender Action Plan (GAP) 2022โ2025 as a bold initiative to drive impactful programming that promotes gender equality and empowers women, girls, men, and boys across its core areas of work. The GAP emphasizes a gender equitable approach as central to achieving these goals. ย Aligned with the UNICEF Gender Policy 2021โ2030, the GAP 2022โ2025, and the Strategic Plan 2022โ2025, the UNICEF Gambia Country Programme 2024โ2027 focuses on addressing structural barriers and shifting social norms that perpetuate gender inequality in The Gambia. This approach incorporates an intersectional lens to tackle overlapping forms of exclusion and marginalization. Through this transformative strategy, UNICEF is enhancing the integration of gender equality across all aspects of its programming and organizational systems.
How can you make a difference?ย Reporting to the Deputy Representative, Gender Focal Person, Child Protection Officer (Adolescent Development and Participation); and working closely with all sectors the Gender and Adolescent Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Provide technical support to CSO partners in operationalizing a Gender Transformative Approach to ending FGM. Support the development of the FGM SBC strategy. Offer technical inputs to the production and rollout of the animation series addressing Child Rights. Support the implementation and monitoring of adolescent life skills programme Support the operationalization of the Gender Programmatic Review and the implementation of its recommendations. Support the implementation and execution of nationwide adolescent consultations to inform programming. Support the development of the Country office adolescent strategy Support the conceptualization, planning, and implementation of activities marking the International Day of the Girl. Perform other tasks as required, in alignment with the overall scope of work.To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
An advanced university degree (Masterโs or higher) in Sociology, Political Science, Public Policy, or related social sciences such as Gender Studies. A minimum of eight yearsย ofย experience in gender and development programming. A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible change in planning, designing, implementing, and delivering results-based programmes on gender and health programming, including behaviour change initiatives. Experience conducting or supporting gender analysis, including quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and applied gender measurement, monitoring, and evaluation. Expertise in evidence-based advocacy and communication skills on gender equality. Experience in developing country programmes in one or more of the following areas is required: public health, immunisation, gender, and maternal, infant, and child health care. Demonstrated excellence in influence and leadership, building trust and motivating others. Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues, and childrenโs rights. Experience working with the government and development partners. Exemplary written and verbal skills, with a solutions-oriented and proactive approach to assigned tasks. Experience working with UNICEF or other UN agencies is a strong asset. Experience in training and facilitation is an asset. Experience and knowledge of The Gambia and the West African sub-region is an asset. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.ย Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.ยFor more details, please refer to theย Gender Consultant - ToR.pdf
For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).ย
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To view our competency framework, please visit ย here.ย
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks:ย ย
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.ย
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.ย