Human Development Adviser (Gender Equality)

Secretariat of the pacific community POSITION DESCRIPTION HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ADVISER (GENDER EQUALITY) BACKGROUND The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development. SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji Islands, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int. THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME The Human Development Programme is part of SPC’s Education, Training and Human Development Division, and is responsible for developing and delivering programmes related to youth, gender equality, culture and community education and training. The programme brings together these areas of development in a comprehensive and analytical approach to social development issues. It also has the responsibility of integrating these issues across the work of other SPC divisions and programmes, such as health and human rights. The position is responsible to the Manager, Human Development Programme and is required to deliver timely and relevant analytical, technical, research, programmatic and policy advice on gender equality to SPC member governments and administrations and other stakeholders, including civil society, regional organisations and donors. The position works closely with the SPC executive and other SPC technical divisions and programmes in support of a more coordinated and effective approach to addressing the gender dimensions of development issues and programme initiatives with an emphasis on ensuring that the organisation respects and promotes the right to development of men and women equally, in all that it does. KEY RESULT AREAS The position of Human Development Adviser (Gender Equality) encompasses the following major functions or key result areas: 1. Analytical and policy advice a) Provide relevant analytical and policy advice for the advancement of gender equality to governments and administrations and other stakeholders, including national gender-responsive policy development, implementation, monitoring and reporting. b) Contribute to regional sectoral policy initiatives and their implementation through the provision of a gender equality perspective working with other regional and multi-sectoral agencies. 2. Regional coordination and monitoring of gender equality in the Pacific, including partnership building a) Assume specific responsibility for SPC’s role in supporting coordination, implementation and monitoring of the Pacific Platform for Action (PPA), the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other relevant regional and international commitments. b) Provide expert input, advice and support to international and regional meetings such as the Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and other high level fora with a focus on gender equality. c) Take the lead in strengthening development partner coordination through regular meetings, discussions and other mechanisms such as the annual meeting of Gender and Development Partners. 3. Capacity building and training a) Identify, develop, deliver and evaluate training programmes, technical assistance and publications/resources aimed at building national capacity for achieving gender equality. 4. Research and analysis a) Identify and undertake research and analysis on relevant gender equality issues in partnership with stakeholders and other agencies to support policy and programmatic initiatives at both national and regional level. 5. Organisational strengthening a) Take the lead in designing systems to improve implementation, monitoring and reporting of progress on gender equality commitments among the agencies making up the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP). b) Take the lead in ensuring that HDP initiatives aimed at integrating gender equality, youth and culture across all of SPC’s work address gender equality issues in a relevant and appropriate manner. c) Contribute to the development and implementation of inter-divisional programme initiatives that focus on gender equality. 6. Advocacy a) Raise the profile of human development challenges, and in particular those related to the critical importance of gender equality in achieving sustainable human development, at national and regional levels in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Ø Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. human rights, international development, social/political sciences) with a specialisation in gender equality. Ø Eight or more years of experience at an advisory level with a specialisation in gender equality. Ø Experience in the design and implementation of policies and programmes in gender equality, gender analysis and/or gender mainstreaming. Ø Sound knowledge of international principles and frameworks on gender equality, including CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals. Ø Demonstrated research, analysis and writing skills. Desirable Ø Demonstrated cross-sectoral research and analytical skills and ability. Ø Excellent command of either English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language. Ø Sound knowledge of gender and women’s human rights issues in the Pacific Island region. SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS Salary and allowances The position is in Band 12 of SPC's salary scale. Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency (e.g. the French Pacific Franc, XPF, in New Caledonia). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 3,903–5,682 per month. These amounts convert to approximately XPF 530,000–780,000 per month (USD 6,100–8,900; EUR 4,500–6,500). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. The organisation subsidises housing. An SPC-owned or SPC-rented house or flat will be made available, with the staff member contributing 25 per cent of the normal rental. In addition, an establishment grant is payable to non-residents of New Caledonia. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable. SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time. PROVIDENT FUND The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution. TENURE The appointment is for a three-year period with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability. DUTY STATION Noumea, New Caledonia. LEAVE Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service. Sick leave is 30 working days per annum. MEDICAL BENEFITS SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctors’ fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits. FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES For an appointee recruited outside New Caledonia, the cost of air fares by the most direct and / or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination. COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT Smoking is not permitted in the work place. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The closing date for applications is 30 June 2011. Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system by following the link http://www.spc.int/job.html. Applicants who cannot access the online recruitment systemmay send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int, preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format). Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees. _____________________________

APPLICATION PROCEDURES The closing date for applications is 30 June 2011

Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system. Applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int, preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format). Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.