Gender Affairs Officer (Women Empowerment), P-4

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	27 Aug 2012
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	28 Jul 2012
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	United Nations Support Mission in Libya
DUTY STATION:	Tripoli
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	12-SSC-UNSMIL TRIPOLI-425803-R-TRIPOLI

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities This position is located in the Political Affairs Division within the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The Gender Affairs Officer (Women’s Empowerment) will report to the Chief Gender Adviser (Women’s Empowerment), and be located within the Political Affairs Division. The Women’s Empowerment Advisory Unit contributes to the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions 2009, 2011 and 2040 by supporting the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya (SRSG) and UNSMIL to ensure that the needs, aspirations and challenges for women and women’s rights to political, civic and economic freedoms are heard and promoted throughout Libya’s transition. The Women’s Empowerment Advisory Unit is responsible for effectively incorporating an integrated approach to women’s empowerment, which includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective, throughout the Mission's activities. Such an approach will strengthen UNSMIL’s capacities to incorporate and address key issues for women during Libya’s transition as well as strengthening national efforts in this regard. UNSMIL will strive to achieve this by intensifying its efforts to support women’s political participation, in particular in the electoral cycle, the constitutional process, the national reconciliation effort, and security sector reform. The Gender Affairs Officer (Women’s Empowerment) will be responsible for performing the following duties: Provide technical assistance to strengthen the Libyan government’s capacity to protect and promote women’s rights, while also building the capacity of Libyan civil society, particularly women’s groups, in organizing to advocate effectively for women rights promotion and protection during the transition and beyond; Develop and maintain relations at the national and local levels with governmental officials, political actors, leaders of civil society and religious leaders, as well as regional actors and organizations, operating within Libya; Assist the Chief Gender Adviser (Women’s Empowerment) to plan, coordinate and manage women’s empowerment activities with other mission components and external to UNSMIL as required; provide technical advice to other components of the Mission; Advise UNSMIL on its engagement with women civil society actors in the Benghazi region; Assist the Chief Gender Adviser (Women’s Empowerment) to coordinate and support the UN system on women’s empowerment, and play a catalytic role in strengthening women’s and civil society programmatic initiatives; Assist the Chief Gender Adviser (Women’s Empowerment) to support a coordinated approach to the implementation of Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security, in close consultation with the Libyan authorities and other actors; Contribute to the implementation of reporting obligations, documentation of good practices, the preparation of policy papers, and related submissions for senior mission leaders and the UN Department of Political Affairs; Establish feedback mechanisms with national partners to capture lessons learned and to evaluate the mission’s progress and successes in advancing women’s empowerment throughout the transitional process; Where applicable, supervise the work of national professional officers (Women’s Empowerment); Undertake other activities as required by the Chief Gender Adviser (Women’s Empowerment).

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM - Sound knowledge of international conventions and UN Security Council Resolutions relating to Women, Peace and Security; ability to advise senior management and other senior officials; conceptual and strategic ability to analyze and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of gender-related issues; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. TEAMWORK - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. COMMUNICATION - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in development studies, public policy, international relations, social science including gender studies, human rights or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience At least 7 years of progressively responsible policy advisory and programme management experience related to the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights, at the national or international level, including in conflict, post-conflict or political transition settings, is required. Proven expertise in integrating women’s rights perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes is required. Prior field experience, preferably with the United Nations system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes and/or other international agencies, is desirable. Qualified male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Languages Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Other Skills

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: staffing@un.org, Fax: 1-212-963-2800 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.