Terms of Reference

International UNV volunteer Specialist on Gender

Post Title:InternationalUNV volunteer Specialist on Gender

Unit:Poverty and Social Development Cluster

Duty Station:UNDP Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Duration: Two years

(Only Finnish candidates can apply)

Preamble

The United Nations Volunteers is the UN Organisation that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism and mobilisation of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer actions in all its diversity.

Volunteerism is diverse and is embedded in all cultures and traditions. In this context, as a United Nations Volunteer the incumbent is encouraged and expected to relate to local volunteerism and to be identified with the concept. Incumbent is expected to regard his/her colleagues as peers and together uphold trust as volunteers within the communities and the organisation the incumbent is assigned to.

Summary of Principal functions

Under the supervision of the Head of the Poverty Reduction and Social Development Cluster, in close cooperation with UNDP colleagues and members of the UN Gender Programme Coordination Group (PCG),the UNV volunteerSpecialist will focus in the following areas:

a)Ensure that UNDP programs/projects, UN support including under the Joint UN Program on Gender, are developed and implemented in the most strategic way to provide value-added to the national efforts in the fields of Gender Equality andGender Mainstreaming in Viet Nam, taking into account other domestic and external activities therein; this could be done through, in cooperation with members, and under the common framework, of the UN Gender PCG: (i) acting as a key source of knowledge building and networking on gender equity/gender mainstreaming topics in UNDP Viet Nam and (ii) advising and assisting the UNDP team in strengthening and reinforcing gender mainstreaming actions in both UNDP programs and office and iii) building the capacity on gender mainstreaming within UNDP Viet Nam.

b)Manage and monitor UNDP-supported country and regional projects as well as UNDP component of the UN-Government Joint Programme on Gender to ensure both efficiency, high impact of UN/DP support and the synergy of the UN family’s support to Viet Nam on this area.

c) Facilitate the process of national consultations and contribute to the production of analytical works, and advocacy on the gender equity/gender mainstreaming topics. Provide feedback to national and UN/donor partners on priorities and on-going efforts in these fields as needed.

d)Take active parts, as UNDP’s member, in the UN Gender PCG and related sub-groups and Gender Action Partnership (GAP). Facilitate and support the strengthening partnerships and coordination/harmonization, between UNDP and other UN agencies (under the One UN initiative in Viet Nam and related Gender PCG), national counterparts, donors, the Business Associations, NGO’s and other voluntary/community based organisations, to maximize outcomes, enhance programme synergies, promote policy dialogue and identify complementary sources of funds.

Key Tasks and responsibilities

  1. Formulation of UN/DP’s programmes in the areas of Gender Equality: Based on the sound knowledge and analysis of UN/DP mandates/comparative advantages, country situations and context, national policies and efforts/programs, and support from the international community on the areas of gender equity, and in close collaboration with the national counterparts, UN and other international partners and UNDP colleagues, identify the strategic areas of intervention for UN/DP to provide value added support to the national response in achieving gender equity. Specifically, she/he will be responsible for the following: (i) develop concept notes and Terms of References (TOR) for formulating new projects on gender and provide inputs on gender mainstreaming to concept notes and TORs for formulating other new projects of UNDP Viet Nam, (ii) participate in formulation discussions, including in formulation missions and Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC), of both gender-specific and other projects, to provide substantive inputs on gender and gender mainstreaming topics,and to identify/ensure potential synergies and collaborations between UNDP-supported projects and with other partners’ programmes, especially with other UN agencies under the Gender PCG and UN-Government Joint Programme on Gender.
  1. Gender-related program Management and implementation: Manage and monitor UNDP-supported country and regional projects as well as UNDP component of the Joint UN-Government Joint Programme on Gender to ensure value added, efficiency, high impact and synergy of UN/DP support. This includes ensuring the strategic dissemination of project results and lessons learned to generate debates and policy improvements in the field. And, as a support to national execution, ensure that financial rules and regulations are followed and funds are used in a cost-effective manner against agreed results.
  1. Support gender mainstreaming in implementation of UNDP programs: (i) provide advices and assistance to UNDP colleagues on strengthening/reinforcing mainstreaming gender in UNDP-supported project Work Plans (WP) and key TORs, in the implementation of the WPs/TORs and in project Monitoring and Evaluation(M&E) and progress reporting; (ii) act as a key source of and facilitate knowledge building and networking on gender equity/gender mainstreaming topics in UNDP Viet Nam (this is also applied to the task 1 above). The task can also be applied to support gender mainstreaming in UN programs through contributing to the work of the UN Gender PCG.
  1. Advocacy on Gender Equity: As the UNDP Gender focal point and a member of the UN Gender PCG, facilitate the process of national consultations and contribute to the production of UN-supported analytical works, and advocacy on Gender Equity and Gender mainstreaming. This also includes providing inputs to UN/DP advocacy events/papers.
  1. Development of strategic partnerships and networks on gender: Build extensive networks with national agencies, UNCT (through UN Gender PCG and related sub-groups, and Gender Action Partnership Forum), international donors, foundations and international and local NGOs to build and share knowledge on gender equity; advocate common positions (especially among UNCT) to build programme synergies and mobilize resources.
  1. Mobilise non-core resources for these programme areas: together with the UNDP team and jointly with UN Gender PCG members, work closely with both national and international partners, including the private sector, to mobilise necessary funds to support activities in the area of gender equity.
  1. Promote volunteerism and mobilise voluntary resources for these programme areas: stimulate national partners to involve volunteers in their projects, recruit online and on-site volunteers where they can assist, identify opportunities to involve UN Volunteers, interns and other volunteers to support activities that contribute to the MDGs.
  1. Overall Country Planning and Reporting: Provide strategic inputs and support on mainstreaming gender in the preparation of the UNDP country office’s and UN Team’s Strategic Plan/Results Framework, setting country office’s as well as UN Gender PCG’s annual targets and preparation of the annual progress reports as well as other ad-hoc reports (of both UNDP and UN Gender PCG) within the field of gender equity and gender mainstreaming.

7.Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the senior management and the supervisor.

Management arrangements

This post will be located within the UNDP Country Office, with the Poverty and Social Development Cluster. The incumbent will report tothe cluster head and work closely with, provide assistance and advices to,all UNDP Viet Nam Programme clusters/staff. The incumbent will also take active part in the UN Gender PCG and related sub-groups.

Qualifications and skills

Education background:

- Masters degree in development, a social science or related field; specialisation on “gender and development” would be an asset.

Working experiences:

-At least 5 years of relevant, proven working experience in Gender Equity and Gender Mainstreaming and/or other related social/development issues;

-Good knowledge of concepts, international experiences and practices as well as methodologies on promoting and advocating gender equality and gender mainstreaming;

-Good project management experiences;

-Knowledge of relevant policies, priorities and programmes in the field of gender equity and gender mainstreaming of both UN/DP and developing countries, especially in the South and South– East Asia regions, is an asset;

-Previous volunteer experience is desired;

-Work experience with international organizations would be an asset.

Skills:

-Strong analytical skills and conceptual thinking

-Good project management skills and ability to work independently

-Excellent written and presentation skills (English)

-Strong communication, advocacy and networking/coordination/partnership skills

-Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment and to deliver under pressure/meet deadlines

-The necessary computer skills with competence in MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, Netscape/MS Outlook are required.

Language:

- Strong writing and speaking skills in English are essential;

Conditions of service

International UNV volunteers in Viet Nam receive a volunteer living allowance (VLA), which is intended to cover their accommodation and basic living expenses. In Viet Nam the VLA is $US 1,566 per month (single), $US 1,875 (1 dependant), $US 2,025 (2 or more dependants). They also receive a settling-in grant on commencing their assignment and a resettlement allowance on successful completion. Full medical and life insurance is provided, and they are entitled to 30 days annual leave.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Please reply by email, enclosing a CV (Resume) and an application letter in English, and marking “Application for the post of International UNV volunteer Specialist on Gender " in the subject field of the message, to: , ensure to register with UNV Global Roster by access the link (please quote your UNV roster number on your application)

The United Nations Volunteers programme is committed to ensuring gender equity among UNV volunteers and welcomes applications from women.

Deadline: 7 October, 2008

Acknowledgements will be sent to short-listed applicants only.

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UN Volunteers is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)