General

Description of assignment title: Gender and adolescent specialist

Assignment country: Guinea

Expected start date: 07/03/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 5. Gender equality

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNICEF

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Conakry

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adoles-cents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and terri-tories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringing lifesaving help and hope to children and families. Non-political and impartial, we are never neutral when it comes to defending children’s rights and safeguarding their lives and futures. UNICEF Office was established in Guinea in 1986. The main office is based in Conakry and three (3) zone offices are located in Kankan, Labé, and Nzérékoré. The main area of intervention is: Health, Nutrition, Water/Hygiene / Sanitation, Education , protection and social inclusion. UNICEF Guinea started in 2018 the current programming cycle (CPD) covering the period from 2018 to 2022. The main pillars of this program of cooperation signed between the Government of Guinea and UNICEF are: (i) good governance for sustained development of human capital; (ii) sustained economic growth and inclusive; (iii) inclusive development of human capital; and (iv) sustainable de-velopment natural resources. The programme is aligned to the national development plan and the UN cooperation framework in Guinea.

Context

The UNICEF Guinea country office was created in 1986. The central office is based in Conakry and the three (3) zone offices are located in Kankan, Labé and Nzérékoré. The main areas of intervention are : Health and HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Water/Hygiene/Sanitation, Protection, Education and Social Inclusion. The main cross-cutting components are adolescents and youth, gender, emergencies and communication for development. UNICEF Guinea started in 2018 a programming cycle (CPD) for the period 2018-2022, in a fragile context following the Ebola epidemic crisis. The main pillars of this collaborative program signed between UNICEF and the Government of Guinea are: a) good governance for sustainable development; b) sustained and inclusive economic growth; c) inclusive human capital development; and d) sustainable natural resource development. Thus, the country office provides sustained support to the National Program of Support to Convergence Communes (PNACC) in 40 communes of Guinea and in all the areas mentioned. Youth engagement and gender equality are two (2) priority and cross-cutting areas of the country program. These components are based on young girls and adolescents as a priority target and three (3) themes considered to be of strategic importance: i) girls’ schooling; ii) child marriage; and iii) youth and adolescent health. With regard to gender equality and adolescent issues, the UNICEF Gender Action Plan (GAP) 2022-2025 constitutes a roadmap for the promotion and achievement of strategic results in these areas. The Guinea office is currently in the process of developing the new CPD 2024-2028 country program. Gender and adolescent mainstreaming is a major priority to be addressed. In accordance with the Global Plan of Action, the role of the Gender and Adolescent Program Specialist is primarily technical and programmatic, with advocacy and normative coordination roles serving a secondary function. The specialist provides substantive and technical advice and leadership support at all stages of programming to facilitate the management and achievement of results that contribute to gender equality, including adolescent issues, in accordance with the Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025. He/she: 1) supports senior program colleagues and country office management in advancing targeted gender equality priorities with the support of the Regional Gender Equality Advisor. He/she also plays a role in working with UNICEF sectors to mainstream gender equality and adolescent dimensions; 2) support cross-cutting collaboration and coordination on key programmatic gender equality results, ensuring coherence, maximizing synergies and efficiency in the use of resources and achievement of results; 3) Works with program colleagues and management to ensure that gender and adolescent equality outcomes are effectively defined, measured and reported, and that high quality assessment, research, evidence generation and evaluation of gender and adolescent programming are undertaken and utilized, including through the application of the MoRES framework and effective theories of change. 4) Support effective review, evaluation, planning, capacity building and knowledge management on gender and adolescents. 5) Support the assessment and identification of gender needs in emergency preparedness and response and provide gender-relevant technical advice and input on emergency programs.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Country Representative, the UN Volunteer will perform the following tasks : Management and/or advisory support to Country Office Management (Country Representative, Deputy Representative and Operations Representative;

•  Actively participate in or support the Country Management Team; Program Coordination Team; Partnership, Research, Finance and Contract Review Committees; and other key country-specific management teams to ensure the strategic inclusion of gender equality and adolescent inclusion in all country-specific programs.
•  Coordinate with regional and headquarters gender equality advisors to plan, utilize, monitor and report on the Gender Thematic Fund or other programmatic funds with significant gender and adolescent components that are allocated to specific country program interventions.
•  In collaboration with sectoral colleagues and under the direction of the Representative, participate in planning and monitoring the use of the budget allocated to sectoral and cross-sectoral gender and adolescent interventions with sectoral colleagues.
•  Lead the gender and adolescent component in reporting on current program expenditures at he country level, including annual reports and the AMR.
•  Provide technical input and review of gender and adolescent components in key funding proposal calls and submissions and in the design of funded projects/programs to ensure that technical components related to gender equality, gender and adolescent issues are clearly defined and that technical capacity is included. Supporting program and project development and planning (including emergency situations)
•  Participate in and support evidence-based program/project planning on gender equality and adolescents, incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results, particularly in the case of country program development and mid-term review.
•  Provide technical leadership on gender mainstreaming including adolescent issues in country programming phases, including strategic planning, SitAns, strategic moments of reflection, country program documents, country plans, mid-term reviews, expanded annual reviews, program component strategy notes, and programmatic evaluation and institutional strengthening components of gender equality reviews.
•  In collaboration with sector colleagues and senior management, identify areas of focus for gender/youth programs/projects with the greatest potential for impact and scale, in line with the GAP and national/regional priorities.
•  Collaborate with sector counterparts and senior management to integrate robust gender-sensitive indicators and metrics with adolescent girls into program/project and policy initiatives, proposals and advocacy efforts, and assist in developing transformative gender theory of change models for sector and cross-sectoral programming, consistent with the framework of the Social Protocols for Action .Program management, monitoring and results delivery (including emergencies)
•  Support the strengthening of data and collection systems and accountability mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress towards gender and adolescent equality results.
•  Support the identification, measurement and monitoring of performance indicators for gender and adolescent mainstreaming, in collaboration with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation section and sector teams
•  Participate in cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination on key programmatic outcomes related to gender equality and adolescent issues, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in the use of resources and achievement of results.
•  Support high quality reporting on gender, adolescent outcomes .
•  Work closely with evaluation colleagues to effectively integrate data collection, monitoring, analysis and reporting on GAP indicators into program results and gender, adolescent performance criteria in monitoring and evaluation systems.
•  Participate in strengthening the quality of research and evidence base on gender equality programs, supporting the contribution of the latest learning and knowledge in the field of gender equality and development, and supporting the contribution of a coherent and well-prioritized research agenda aligned with GAP.
•  Support the planning and implementation of gender equality reviews and ensure that the recommendations from the review are integrated into the country program strategy and action plans as well as humanitarian strategies and action plans in emergencies.
•  Actively participate and/or represent UNICEF in relevant inter-agency coordination bodies (gender theme group or other networks, Gender Based Violence group, as appropriate), participate as a member of steering committees and closely oversee joint inter-agency programmes. Advisory services and technical support
•  Provide technical support and guidance to national governments, Civil Society Organization s, UN agencies and other national and local partners on aspects of gender equality programming and mainstreaming and ensure the integration of gender indicators and measures into programs/projects, policy initiatives, proposals and monitoring and evaluation systems.
•  Provide technical support and advocacy for the reporting and monitoring of international and regional commitments made by countries on gender equality and adolescents;
•  Support the development of adequate emergency preparedness measures, updated contingency plans, and early warning mechanisms that take into account the gender needs of women, girls, and vulnerable persons.
•  Participate in gender needs assessment missions and, in the event of an emergency, be deployed as a member of the emergency response team. Advocacy, networking and partnerships
•  Liaise and consult with Unicef section, government and other external partners (civil society, NGOs, private sector) to strengthen partnerships in gender and adolescent programming.
•  Support the establishment/functioning and maintenance of internal and external partnerships and networks in the development of harmonized and transformative gender programming interventions.
•  Support the establishment and maintenance of strategic alliances for gender equality, adolescent dimension with various partners, including institutional links with UN agencies and other relevant entities.
•  Collaborate with other UN agencies and partners to improve strong gender equality results in sectoral programs at the country level. When necessary, represent UNICEF in external meetings on gender and adolescent mainstreaming in sectoral and cross-sectoral results, including UNCT meetings and Sustainable Development Fund preparations.
•  Support the mapping of potential new partnerships and leverage existing partnerships to accelerate GAP implementation at the country level in identified priority areas. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
•  Support the documentation and sharing of country-level experience in gender equality programming and lessons learned, to be shared with the internal network and external partners and used for South-South cooperation.
•  Support innovative research on gender equality, adolescent dimension.
•  Support management and human resources in developing systems, tools and processes that enable staff members and external partners to improve their understanding and adoption of gender-transformative behaviors and support the implementation of the Global Action Plan. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
•  Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
•  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•  Provide annual and end of assignment self reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
•  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
•  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in

•  Required experience: 3 years experience in gender, gender equality, adolescent and youth issues, including experience working in one of UNICEF’s key focus areas;
•  2 years working in government/civil society organization/UN agency programs is highly desirable.
•  Minimum of 2 years experience in policy support, country program development and/or project/program implementation, preferably in Africa would be an asset;
•  Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
•  Skills and experience in:
•  Knowledge of current development issues, strategies, and programming policies and pro-cedures in the field of international development cooperation.
•  Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
•  Strong networking and negotiation skills.
•  Strong familiarity with political and governmental processes.
•  Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and build harmonious working relationships both inside and outside the organization.
•  Knowledge of partnership development and resource mobilization. b) Technical Knowledge
•  Strong technical, programmatic, and research skills in gender, as well as sector expertise in at least one of the following sectors: health, education, water, sanitation, HIV/AIDS, protection, social policy, Social Behavorial Changes, Early Child Development, or combined expertise in adolescents
•  Demonstrated ability to link sectoral issues and programmatic approaches on gender, adolescents ;
•  In-depth knowledge and experience in integrating gender into humanitarian interventions and programming, including needs assessment, program implementation and monitoring, is an asset.
•  Demonstrated rigor in analytical, conceptual and program/project design skills relevant to gender, adolescents and development with an understanding of theories of change and the path from intervention to results.
•  Demonstrated experience supporting or conducting rigorous gender research and analysis, including quantitative research methodologies, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Required Degree Level: Master’s degree Required Experience: 3 years Area of education/degree in social sciences (sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development or in a field related to UNICEF’s sectoral activities (health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection, social inclusion, HIV/AIDS, etc.)

Competencies and values

•  Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to [UNICEF]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [UNICEF] procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
•  Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and [UNICEF] in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
•  Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
•  Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
•  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
•  Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
•  Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
•  Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards [UNICEF]’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Guinea is located in West Africa and its capital is Conakry which is the largest city and the main economic and financial center of activities with a high population density.

•  Climate: Guinea has a mostly tropical monsoon climate, and a rainy season is influenced by the harmattan. The average temperature is 29°C-30°C, the rainy season is from June to October.
•  Population: The population is approximately 12,093,349. Guinea’s population is made up of about 24 different ethnic groups, with the Fulani making up 40% of the population. Other major ethnic groups include the Mandingo, Susu, Kissi, Kpelle, and non-African groups.
•  Religion: Approximately 85% of the population is Muslim; other religions practiced include Christianity, Hinduism, and others.
•  Safety: Guinea is generally a safe country to visit, but there are times when socio-political and criminal cases persist, especially in Conakry. It is advisable not to travel at night. Safety guidelines have been developed and are updated by the UNDSS office for reference.
•  Currency: The local currency is the Guinean Franc (GNF), 1 GNF is equivalent to approximately 0.001 USD.
•  Health: The COVID-19 pandemic is the main health threat in the country. It is advisable to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.