UNDP Recruits National Expert Gender

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. With a strong history of inclusion and consensus-building, UNDP has earned the trust and partnership of leaders across the developing world.
We are now hiring a new generation of expert practitioners who want to contribute to those partnerships by offering strategic approaches to long-standing problems. We seek individuals who can communicate advice and new ideas across cultures and all strata of society.

Job Title: National Expert Gender
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Under the strategic direction of the Senior Gender Expert, and working in close coordination with development partners, the gender expert will support and provide expert services in negotiations, identification of priorities, preparation of relevant documents and follow up support for management and continued partnership development to the project on behalf of DGD. As such, s/he will be required, inter alia, to:
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the gender component of the DGD project, partly with UNWOMEN as the major implementing UN partner;
• Provide support in the coordination of relationships and partnerships through the gender sectoral working group;
• Coordinate interventions that address issues of inclusive participation especially as they relate to the youth and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
• Any other duties as assigned by the Senior Gender Expert/Project Director.
• Support the implementation of the gender component of the DGD project, partly with UNWOMEN as the major implementing UN partner;
• Support the Senior Gender Expert in implementing all planned activities as per work plan;
• In collaboration with the Senior Gender Expert, provide substantive guidance to all parties partnered with and sub-contracted for this component;
• In collaboration with the Senior Gender Expert, provide input in UNWOMEN-implemented activities;
• Review documents relating to all above activities then pass on to the Senior Gender Expert to Certify for payment.
• Provide support in the coordination of relationships and partnerships through the gender sectoral working group;
• Provide input in developing and nurturing broader partnerships in the areas of democratic governance on women participation in elections, communicate and advocate the international partners’ positions and engage with Nigerian partners accordingly
• Manage the development of a wide range of productive professional relationships, ranging from technical to policy levels, across stakeholders.
• Support the Senior Gender Expert in building and maintaining strong cooperative relationships with relevant local networks and contacts, including partner organisations, stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• Improve coordination and partnerships among key stakeholders and increasing public awareness through media outputs and campaign
• Advise on enlarging the pool of eligible women aspirants for elected office
• Coordinate interventions that address issues of inclusive participation especially as they relate to the youth and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
• Advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities in electoral and democratic processes
• In close collaboration with the Senior Gender Expert develop programmes intended to promote youth participation in political parties, elections and democratic governance.

Competencies:
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the shared vision, mission and strategic goals of the partners supporting the initiative
• Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Proven competence in the field of democratic governance, well-informed on both electoral and broader democratic governance issues such as legislative development, the role and potential of mass and community media, civil society in emerging democratic societies, and the participation and role of women in politics. Comfortable with full range of sub-sectors within the project, although possibly more knowledgeable and experienced in some areas. S/he should have a strong grasp of the strategic, policy and nuts-and-bolts issues involved in capacity development in the area of democratic governance;
• Ability to appreciate and respond productively to the challenges faced in leading a high-risk initiative in a politically challenging environment. Ability to maintain calm and poise in high pressure and sometimes provocative situations as well as apply skills in mediation and consensus-building;
• Solid academic background and demonstrated abilities in analysis of complex political situations and providing strategic advice, while maintaining personal detachment;
• Proven managerial experience in an international context and ability to lead teams. Proven ability to make sound decisions in delegation of responsibilities and in finding a balance between a focus on detail and keeping an eye on the big picture. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Strong inter-personal communications and diplomatic skills, with an ability to listen, understand and respond effectively to different and divergent points of view expressed by a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans. Proven ability to work under pressure and produce output that is accurate, timely and of high quality. Ability to manage conflicting priorities;
• Ability to understand and apply tools such as the logical framework, results-based approaches like UNDP’s RBM and PRINCE2. Solid knowledge and experience of project management. Ability to support and provide oversight to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Resourcefulness, good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with and between different levels and types of project personnel and counterparts.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:  

• Advanced university degree (Masters) related to democratic governance and development, such as political science, economics and other social sciences.

Experience:  

• Progressively responsible work experience of at least 5 years in democratic governance, including electoral issues, dealing with: (a) policy dialogue and advisory work; (b) leadership and management of research and analysis; (c) design and execution of capacity development programmes; (d) project management, including the leadership of multi-disciplinary expert teams, preferably funded by development partners (UN or other); and (e) promotion of stakeholder/community awareness of and participation in democratic governance
• A good understanding of the social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning African and, ideally, Nigerian governance and electoral processes.
• Experience working on gender, youth and marginalized sectors of society;
• Strong knowledge and experience in handling gender issues particularly in Northern Nigeria
• Skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building.
• Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in democratic governance.
• Excellent PC user skills: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research.
• Ability to travel within Nigeria and overseas.

Language Requirements: 

• Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.
• Excellent spoken English is also required

Application Closing Date
28 August, 2012

Method of Application
Interested and Qualified Candidate should
Click here to apply online