GENDER SPECIALIST (YEMENI NATIONALS ONLY)

Background

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP Yemen has clustered its interventions into three main areas: 1) Governance 2) poverty and sustainable development 3) conflict prevention and recovery. UNDP has achieved excellent results in the areas of electoral support, human rights, support to the justice system, HIV/AIDS and Local Governance Support Project. The aim of the Local Government Support Project is to support the Government of the Republic of Yemen (GoY) in its effort for the transformation from Local Authority to a Local Government system as articulated in the National Strategy for Transition to Local Government (2020). The project is also expected to contribute to the creation of an enabling environment during the transitional period through provision of required expertise, mechanisms and structure for application of participatory processes by amending of some articles of the Country’s Constitution and in the formulation of a new Law for Local Government in replacement of the current Law number 4 of 2000 on the Local Administration. The LGSP will provide responsive support to the implementation of the GoY’s National Programme to implement local governance reform. Systems and tools will be designed to foster the capacity of the Ministry of Local Administration (MOLA), other central institutions and local authorities as part of the National Strategy for Transition to Local Government (NSTLG). Focus will be given to the integration of gender equality into the work of decentralization at all levels and advocacy will be undertaken in order to increase public participation/transparency and promote the sense of ownership. Participatory development planning process at local level will be promoted; tracking system for local development and MDGs at local levels will be established and applied; costing modules for local services and infrastructure will be introduced; and Public Expenditure Management at local level will be expanded, along with required capacity for local development planning to deliver results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader (Institutional Development) and under the overall supervision and technical support of the national Project Manager and the Chief Technical Advisor, the Gender Specialist acts as advisor on gender issues to the project, National Programme and, MOLA, particularly the General Women Department (GWD). She/he particularly provides technical/ on job/mentoring support to the GWD of MOLA at central and General Directorate of Women Affairs (GDWA) at local levels to ensure integration of gender equality in all local governance related issues, within the framework of LGSP. The consultant regularly interacts with specific target Local Governments (LGs) to assist them in integrating/mainstreaming gender into their plans and activities to deliver primary social services, promote local economic development and manage natural resources. The Specialist also collaborates on a regular basis with the Women National Committee (WNC), Yemeni Women’s Union (YWU), UN Women and other partners and stakeholders at the central and local levels engaged in women empowerment, promotion of women’s rights, and gender issues to achieve a unity of effort and rational division of labor. The Specialist closely coordinates with the other LGSP components to achieve systematic gender mainstreaming into their activities and contributes to LGSP planning, implementation and monitoring from a gender perspective. Summary of Key Functions: Provide technical support to mainstreaming gender in all issues related to Local Governance Reform, within the framework of LGSP Technical support to mainstream gender in National Programme design and implementation Technical support to mainstreaming gender in the local governance legal framework and policies Technical support to GWD in MOLA and GDWA to mainstream gender in all issues related to local governance reform in context of LGSP Technical support to specific LGs to mainstream gender in their plans and activities Contributing to LGSP planning, implementation and monitoring from a gender perspective Facilitation of learning and capacity development, knowledge building and knowledge sharing Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization Ensures that gender is mainstreamed in all issues related to local governance reform within the framework of LGSP, focusing on achievement of following results: Technical support to mainstream gender in the National Programme design and implementation Provide support to the GWD and WNC to contribute to the design and implementation of National Programme based on analysis to ensure that the Programme adequately addresses gender issues Technical support to mainstreaming gender in the local governance legal framework and policies Participation in the Legal Reform Group Support to the GWD, WNC, women organizations, to participate in the Legal Reform Group and mainstream gender in the constitutional amendments, new LG law, its executive by laws and policies Technical support to GWD in MOLA and GDWA to mainstream gender in all issues related to local governance reform in context of LGSP Support GWD in continuous analysis of the gender situation with respect to local governance and development, including analysis to determine priority actions and interventions by the relevant government bodies Support GWD gender mainstreaming in MoLA policy making & institutional arrangements, based on analysis Support GWD to provide inputs in MOLA’s planning process to ensure gender –sensitive and responsive planning, based on analysis Support GWD to provide inputs into development of gender sensitive monitoring and evaluation systems for local governance Support capacity building in awareness raising and advocacy on women's participation for GWD and General Directorates for Women's Affairs (GDWA) at Governorate Level Providing on job/ mentoring technical support to GWD and GDWA to mainstream gender in local governance Technical support to specific LGs to mainstream gender in their plans and activities Provide technical support to LGs to put in place and implement mechanisms for mainstreaming gender in local development Provide technical support to GDWA to conduct gender analysis and mainstream gender in local development Contribution to LGSP planning, implementation and monitoring from a gender perspective Continuous analysis of the gender situation with respect to local governance and development, including analysis to determine priority actions and interventions by the LGSP Gender analysis and mainstreaming of the LGSP annual and operational plans Identification of issues and risks relating to gender in local governance and development and submission of timely and comprehensive proposals and recommendations to the LGSP management on how these issues should be addressed Regular monitoring visits to project sites to make sure that gender is adequately mainstreamed into programmatic activities Contribute to annual and quarterly reporting on progress against the project strategies and targets, with information on achievements, challenges and areas of support needed for gender mainstreaming and women empowerment Coordinate with the other LGSP components to achieve systematic gender mainstreaming into their activities Ensures facilitation of learning and capacity development, knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results: Design and conduct of capacity building and capacity development programmes, including workshops, seminars and other activities to support gender mainstreaming for the national counterparts and LGSP staff in the context of the National Programme and LGSP implementation Timely specialist advice on the available knowledge repositories and learning resources in gender, gender mainstreaming and women empowerment for MOLA and other key ministries engaged in implementation of the National Programm Support to the development and introduction of manuals and guidelines to promote gender-responsive local governance and development at the governorate and district levels Support to establish and make functional the Community of Practice for Gender in Local Development at the MOLA, including development of mechanisms and systems to ensure regular knowledge building and sharing between relevant stakeholders at the subnational level Support to studies and research on gender and gender mainstreaming Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned in gender mainstreaming directly linked to LGSP programme goals; production and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned papers. Ensures strategic partnerships and resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results: Creation of partnerships with key government partners and local authorities at the central and local levels, to ensure their engagement and relevant input in gender mainstreaming and women empowerment Engagement with central and local civil society organizations representing the interests of women to encourage their active participation in local governance and development Advice on/preparation of advocacy and communication materials to promote gender equality and women empowerment in the context of the National Programme implementation Regular communication with bi-lateral and mutli-lateral aid organisations and advice on resource mobilisation for gender equality programming Close collaboration with UN Women and other UN agencies to develop proposals for joint programmatic planning and implementation, including joint funding for gender mainstreaming for local development programmes and projects. Liaising with the UNDP Country Office gender focal point, civil society groups, academic networks and external specialists for advisory services, and sharing of information/best practices.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills Development and Operational Effectiveness Ability to lead and provide expert technical guidance on gender related issues of local governance Ability to support institutional capacity building in gender mainstreaming Ability to lead on planning strategically for gender mainstreaming Skills in gender-sensitive planning, monitoring and evaluation Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit Good ICT skills Good drafting skills Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Bachelor Degree in Gender, Development Studies, Public Administration, Law with 6 years experience in relevant field is required. Courses in gender studies, gender analysis and/or gender mainstreaming is desirable. Master’s Degree with at least 2 years of relevant experience in dealing with issues of woment's rights and gender mainstreaming within public institutions, UN agencies and/or international system erience is desirable. Good knowledge of governance and development issues at the local level in Yemen. Fluency in English and Arabic

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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