The Gender Specialist will contribute to the CPD outcomes and the outputs in the Governance MYF by leading the CO’s work on inclusion, gender equality and women’s empowerment, including preventing GBV, as well as working with various teams within and outside of the CO to ensure gender aspects are integrated in the CO’s support to the Royal Government of Bhutan.  The Gender Specialist will also support the CO to ensure its programming outcome and its workplace practices are well aligned with each other around the gender equality and inclusion value. An important focus for the incumbent will be successful completion, evaluation, scale-up, reporting and closure of the Gakey Lamtoen project.

The Gender Specialist will also support the CO to ensure its programming outcome and its workplace practices are well aligned with each other around the gender equality and inclusion value. An important focus for the incumbent will be successful completion, evaluation, scale-up, reporting and closure of the Gakey Lamtoen project.

A summary of key functions are given below

A. Formulation, implementation and M&E of inclusion specific projects

B. Leading the Gender agenda of the Bhutan CO programme, including  gender and inclusion mainstreaming in workplace  practices in compliance with UNDP’s accountability frameworks.

C. Policy advocacy, knowledge management and strategic partnerships to advance the gender equality and inclusion agenda

E. Supporting and leading the corporate requirements (going beyond programme) on sexual harassment, discrimination and gender matters.

A. Formulation, implementation and M&E of inclusion specific projects

A.1 Effective management, implementation and finalization of Gakey Lamtoen project

• Provide proper guidance to the project counterparts for effective management, implementation, closure and reporting of the project;
• Effectively apply result-based management (RBM) tools in management; establishment of M&E and reporting framework, including management targets and monitoring the achievement of results, performance indicators/ success criteria, and regular update of baselines, targets and milestones in the project’s results resources frameworks;
• Exercise risk management, including timely implementation of mitigation measures, and updating risk log and integrated work plan (IWP) in the Atlas system;
• Facilitate project audits, spot-checks, and follow-up on the implementation of recommendations;
• Ensure knowledge management and quality documentation of the project’s lessons learnt and best practices; quality publication of technical reports, policy briefs, and results;
• Regular briefings and timely report to the supervisor on any exceptions to facilitate timely actions and informed decisions;
• Prepare regular aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including technical progress to donors as required, including the pilot’s final project report, based on thorough analysis and M&E;
• Active participation and contribution to the UN/ UNDP’s regular reports on outputs and outcomes as well as outcome evaluations, under the framework of the UN programe in Bhutan.
• Ensure coordination, management and implementation of the Gakey Lamtoen pilot project
• Develop knowledge products for communications, awareness and advocacy for the Gakey Lamtoen project to influence institution of GBV prevention into poilicies and programs
• Support generation of evidence through research on impacts of prevention approach to address GBV and consequently institution of prevention
• Suport capacity building on Gakey Lamtoen prevention model to capacitate and empower participating stakeholders and volunteers for roll out and institution into the system
• Provide swift and timely support to adapt and apply innovation to changing situations and circumstances for all CO gender intervention.

A. 2 Formulation of inclusion and gender-related projects for resource mobilization

• Implementation of the CO’s Partnerships and the Governnace resource mobilization strategies, focusing on project formulation to mobilize funds from various external resources on inclusion;
• Work closely with UNDP technical advisors and specialists in Bhutan and in Bangkok Regional Hub to identify opportunities for project development and mobilize resources and ensure linkage between programmes and projects in Bhutan and those at regional and global levels;
• Effectively coordinate, facilitate and support the formulation, appraisal and approval of UNDP concept notes and pipeline project proposals related to inclusion and gender equality and women empowerment for mobilizing resources;  This includes (i) liaising and coordinating with GNHC and other government counterparts and related stakeholders; (ii) timely mobilization of technical inputs/experts to address information gaps for the formulation, appraisal and approval processes; (iii) preparing necessary documentations, reports and/or plans, as part of UNDP and donors’ requests, for submission and appraisal of pipeline projects; and collecting necessary data and information for the project formulation.

A.3 Effective management and implementation of inclusion and gender-related projects

• Provide proper guidance to the project counterparts for effective planning, management and implementation of projects to ensure timely implementation of activities and achievement of quality results; including timely preparation and approval of the projects’ and work-packages’ annual and quarterly quality work-plans;
• Effectively apply result-based management (RBM) tools in management; establishment of M&E and reporting framework, including management targets and monitoring the achievement of results, performance indicators/ success criteria, and regular update of baselines, targets and milestones in the project’s results resources frameworks;
• Exercise risk management, including timely implementation of mitigation measures, and updating risk log and integrated work plan (IWP) in the Atlas system;
• Facilitate project audits, spot-checks, and follow-up on the implementation of recommendations;
• Ensure quality documentation of the project’s lessons learnt and best practices; quality publication of technical reports, policy briefs, and results;
• Regular briefings and timely report to the supervisor on any exceptions to facilitate timely actions and informed decisions;
• Prepare regular aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including technical progress to donors as required;
• Active participation and contribution to the UN/ UNDP’s regular reports on outputs and outcomes as well as outcome evaluations, under the framework of the UN programe in Bhutan.
• Support UNDP’s representation in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to inclusion, including areas under the governance team’s responsibilities such as local governance, access to justice, parliamentary support etc.

B. Leading the Gender agenda of the Bhutan CO programme (SDG 5), including  gender and inclusion mainstreaming in workplace  practices in compliance with UNDP’s accountability frameworks.

B.1  Leading the Gender agenda of the Bhutan CO Programme

• Provide analysis and substantive inputs to the Counytry Propgramme Document and other strategic documents (particularly the Draft Gender Mainstreaming Strategy, 2021-2023, Annex 3);
• Provide advice on application of UNDP gender mainstreaming corporate tools and corporate reporting and accountability frameworks, including the gender marker and ROAR;
• Review current programmes and projects across the CO portfolio and provide recommendations on amendments/adjustments for better gender mainstreaming and reporting, in line with national policies and priorities;
• Advise CO’s programme colleagues on strengtheinging gender and inclusion mainstreaming and content/outcomes (formulation of clear and measurable goals and expected outcomes related to gender equality and inclusion, focusing on impacts) through the project/programme cycle, including project proposal development, project appraisal (LPAC), project implementation and monitoring, quality assurance, reporting and evaluation;
• Compile, analyse and interpret gender issues and statistical data;
• M&E: i) formulation of clear and measurable goals and expected outcomes related to gender equality and inclusion, focusing on impacts rather than completion of activities; ii) gender equality and inclusion are included in programme and project monitoring and evaluation;
• Contribution to sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to gender and inclusion issues;
• Provide technical assistance to partners on how to best achieve results, particular on issues related to gender equality, inclusion of vulnerable groups, governance, international good practices, and the SDGs.

B.2 Capacity building support to the CO’s gender and inclusion mainstreaming in workplace  practices in compliance with UNDP’s accountability frameworks.

• Support the HR and other relevant teams to improve gender parity, gender equality, PSEA and inclusion in the CO.
• Provide advisory and technical support to the CO’s effective participation in the corporate Gender Seal Certification Programme.

C. Policy advocacy, knowledge management and strategic parnerships

• Strengthen partnerships and coordinate with key national stakeholders, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, research institutions and other stakeholders to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment and inclusion in Bhutan;
• Develop background documents, briefs and presentations related to governance, gender and  inclusion issues;
• Identify best practices, lessons learned to guide project improvements and future strategic interventions;
• Provide advisory services to development partners, and facilitate knowledge networking and exchange on the GBV pilot project and Gender Based Violence related issues.
• Support UNDP’s representation and thought leadership in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to gender, including areas under the governance team’s responsibilities such as local governance, access to justice, parliamentary support, inclusion etc.;
• Organise and facilitate dialogues and experience sharing between colleagues across all programme units on gender equality and inclusion.

D. Supporting and leading the corporate requirements (going beyond programme) on sexual harassment, discrimination and gender matters.

All forms of sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) are unacceptable and are prohibited in UNDP, whether perpetrated against a recipient of assistance or a coworker. Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse violate human rights and are a betrayal of the core values of the United Nations. It is our collective priority to prevent such behaviours and to support those affected..

The Gender and Inclusion Specialist, as the member for the UN PSEA task force, will liase with other UN  in ensuring prevention and respond to sexual harrassement and sexual exploitation and abuse at the country level. Within UNDP, specialist will be the focal for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and intiaite awareness and trainings to staff and support the management to respond to all forms of inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature committed. 

The incumbent will also be the focal for discrimination and other gender matters going beyond the programme.

Core competencies

Innovation (Ability to make new and useful ideas work): Level 3 (adapts deliverables to meet client needs).

Leadership (Ability to persuade others to follow): Level 3 (proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others).

People Management (Ability to improve performance and satisfaction): Level 3 (appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making).

Communication (Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform): Level 3 (expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation).

Delivery (Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement): Level 3 (takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value)

Technical/Functional competencies:

Collaboration and Partnership: Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.

Inclusion and Gender and Institutional Development: Knowledge of systems for inclusion and gender mainstreaming and capacity development and interagency collaboration and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Inclusion and Gender Issues & Analysis: Knowledge of inclusion and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective.

Inclusion and Gender Corporate Reporting: Knowledge of corporate reporting, including skills to manage ROAR reporting and extractions, gender marker development and other related tools.

Advocacy and Activations: Ability to design and implement strategic short/long term campaigns and carry out customized activations to highlight UNDP's position and support issue-based advocacy.

Relationship Management: Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency coordination and forge productive working relationships.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in social policy, public policy, international relations, political sciences, economics, development studies, business administration, public administration or a related area.
• Master’s degree is preferable.
• A degree in gender studies will be an asset.

Experience

• At least 5 or 3 years with a Masters degree of progressive working experience in the the areas related to governance, social development and/or gender equality and women’s empowerment, gender based violence in a development context;
• At least 5 or 3 years with a Masters degreeyears of working experience in the design, management, implementation and reporting of development projects;
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a development organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is a very strong advantage;
• Strong analytical, drafting and communication skills.
• Experience working with government agencies will be an asset;

Additional skills and competencies

• Strong analytical and drafting skills
• Strong communication skills

Fluency in oral and written Dzongkha and English

Important applicant information

All posts in the National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

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