Gender Officer. P4 [temporary], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia At United Nations Office to the African Union

Posting Title: Gender Officer, P4, P4 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION OFFICER

Department/Office: United Nations Office to the African Union

Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period: 03 May 2023 – 09 May 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Security Institutions-UNOAU-208166-J-Addis Ababa (M)

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

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is in the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU). The Gender Adviser reports to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union through the Chief of Staff. The incumbent, through the Principal PAO, will also support the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as described below. The Gender Adviser will work closely with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) to advance gender-responsive implementation of the UNOAU and OSE-HoA mandates. The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was established in 2010 by General Assembly Resolution 64/288 to enhance the partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent advice to the AU on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the UN presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering assistance to the AU. Cooperation between the two organizations has significantly intensified following the signing of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security on 19 April 2017, resulting in more strategic and forward- looking collaborative efforts in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) was established in 2018. Its overall objective is to work closely with and support all the countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), including Eritrea (which had suspended its participation in IGAD) in line with the Joint Framework for Cooperation between the United Nations and IGAD signed in Djibouti on 17 November 2015, and other regional organizations, including the AU in promoting peace and security across the Horn of Africa. This primarily involves enhancing sub-regional conflict prevention and mediation capacities and addressing cross-cutting issues. On this basis, OSE-HoA supports the good offices of the Secretary-General. The OSE-HoA also coordinates the implementation of the Comprehensive Regional Prevention Strategy for the Horn of Africa, which includes enhancing linkages in the work of the United Nations and other partners in the Horn of Africa region to promote a joined-up regional approach, including facilitating coordination and information exchange within the United Nations system. UNOAU and OSE-HoA place an emphasis on advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda to create premises for more effective and inclusive peace processes. The Gender Adviser will support the integration of a gender perspective in all areas of work within UNOAU and OSE- HoA; help harmonize and streamline UN and AU efforts to institutionalize gender-responsive policymaking and programming; increase the equal participation, representation and full involvement of women in preventive diplomacy, mediation and sustaining peace. The position is available for six months, with a possibility of extension depending upon the availability of resources.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following tasks pertaining to three distinct, but interconnected portfolios. Time spent on each area is indicative: 1. Within UNOAU (50%)

•  Provide advisory support to the AU, particularly in terms of best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, the DPO/DOS Policy on Gender Responsive United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and DPPA Gender/Women, Peace, and Security Policy.
•  Provide technical assistance to the AU on strategies for gender mainstreaming, including options to strengthen the capacity to perform gender analysis, design and implement gender- sensitive policies and programmes and the area of peace and security;
•  Contribute to joint UN-AU efforts to advance women’s rights and enhance the role and participation of women in early warning, conflict prevention, mediation, peace negotiations, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development;
•  Support gender-related knowledge management and data collection within the AU and facilitate the exchange of information on gender policy between the UN and the AU;
•  Collaborate with the AU and support the delivery of gender training to uniformed and civilian personnel and conduct orientation activities on gender mainstreaming as required by the AU. 2. Within OSE-HoA (30%)
•  Provide operational support on gender and women, peace and security issues to the OSE- HoA team, including expanding the capacity for gender analysis; designing gender-sensitive strategies and action plans; and providing substantive and technical support on the women, peace and security related aspects of the mediation processes supported by OSE-HoA.
•  Collaborate with local and international CSOs and NGOs working on women, peace and security agenda in the Horn of Africa. Maintain collaborative relations with the AU and IGAD and support their efforts to advance women’s participation in the peace processes in Sudan and South Sudan. 3. Cross-cutting aspects (20%)
•  Advise senior UNOAU and OSE-HoA leadership on strategies to ensure effective implementation of existing mandates and policies for the promotion of gender equality, women’s rights and prevention of sexual violence in all mandated tasks;
•  Oversee the design and implementation of action plans to translate existing mandates and policies on the promotion of gender equality in all activities of UNOAU and OSE-HoA;
•  Build and maintain partnerships with other UN entities that have complementary mandates on gender and women, peace and security related issues, and participate in established inter- agency coordination mechanisms;
•  Oversee the implementation of reporting obligations, documentation and good practices, the preparation of policy papers, and related submissions for UNOAU and OSE-HoA leadership and DPPA/DPO/DOS;
•  Ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout strategic planning processes and supports the results-based reporting processes for the regular budget, support account and XB funding;
•  Support the delivery of gender training to UNOAU and OSE-HoA personnel;
•  Ensure regular liaison, consultation and substantive reporting to the DPPA Gender, Peace and Security Unit and the DPO Gender Advisor at UN headquarters;
•  Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

•  Professionalism: In-depth knowledge and understanding of unit’s mandate and strategic direction and ability to develop and direct viable programme/projects reflective of these goals. Proven expertise in country/region of assignment; in-depth understanding of and ability to evaluate international political situations in that area. Knowledge of wide range of DDR issues; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyze and articulate the DDR dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex and unusual issues/problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to DDR and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery). Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. 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.
•  Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Communication: Excellent communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; ability to conduct high-level discussions and negotiations in a productive manner with senior officials, representatives of international organizations, civil society groups and subject-matter experts; ability to prepare succinct, analytical reports.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Gender Affairs, Political or Social Sciences, Human Rights Law, International Law, Development Studies, or a relevant discipline. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible policy advice and programme management experience related to promotion of gender equality particularly with international organizations in conflict or post-conflict settings is required Expertise in successfully integrating gender perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes is required Prior field experience (peacekeeping, political missions or peacebuilding) is desirable. Experience working on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Africa is desirable

LanguagesFluency in spoken and written English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

•  This position is temporarily available for 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
•  While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
•  Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
•  This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
•  Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
•  Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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