General

Description of assignment title: Gender/SGBV Specialist

Assignment country: Gambia

Expected start date: 09/15/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNDP

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Banjul

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization that advocates for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help build resilient nations and improve the livelihoods of people. UNDP Gambia was established in 1975 as a development partner to provide technical assistance through advice, access to its global knowledge networks and financial support to implement government development frameworks to boost capacity development and promote national efforts to eradicate poverty and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In The Gambia, UNDP supports national efforts for sustainable human development in line with the Gambian National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 – 2021 which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development/SDGs and the African Union Agenda 2063. To deliver on its mandate, UNDP partners with key government institutions and employs different means of actions including institutional capacity strengthening, harnessing strategic linkages, support to evidence-based policy formulation, planning and implementation, resource mobilization, support to national planning processes and mainstreaming of relevant issues.

Context

In The Gambia, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) was a reoccurring theme of the public hearings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which submitted its Final Report to President Adama Barrow in November 2021. SGBV is one of the most traumatic and pervasive, yet common life threatening and protection issues that human beings suffer, which can often affect survivors in several ways, including depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Horrifically, some of the most disturbing incidents examined by the TRRC over its 892 days of public hearings include systematic, state sanctioned sexual exploitation, violence, and rape of young women, and sexualized torture of men. UNDP in partnership with UNFPA and OHCHR, and with funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund is implementing a project to contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion through reducing the short- and long-lasting effects of SGBV on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of survivors, their families, and communities. The Project’s interventions center first and foremost on the promotion and protection of the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of SGBV survivors through the provision of services, community engagement, knowledge sharing and learning, as well as strengthening local and national institutional efforts and capacities to continuously address SGBV and promote mental health in post-TRRC The Gambia. This project is designed to complement a broader post-TRRC project being implemented by UNDP and OHCHR, with PBF funding too, and aimed at supporting the Government to implement TRRC recommendations in a timely, comprehensive, consultative, and participatory manner, by focusing on ensuring the SGBV survivors connected to the transitional justice/TRRC process are accompanied and supported to ensure their full participation in the post-TRRC process. In this context, the UNDP is hiring an IUNV Project Manager to ensure the day-to-day management of the Project and the overall coordination between UNDP and UNFPA in the implementation of the Project.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Programme Specialist – Governance, and in close collaboration with UNFPA and OHCHR, the International UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: ● Develop the annual programme/project delivery targets and achieve the targets as well as the M&E plan for the project in line with the project document and budget ● Elaborate UN Peacebuilding required half-year, annual and final reports ● Contribute to the implement the project on a day-to-day basis ● Provide strategic advice and direction to the Country Office, Government and other project partners on gender, mental health and addressing SGBV in transitional contexts ● Implement the Project and identify areas of weaknesses to ensure the project achieves the planned results in accordance with relevant plans ● Follow directions set for him/her including roles and responsibilities, accountability and reporting ensuring that the work is conducted in accordance with UNDP’s relevant business processes and that high – quality outputs are delivered on time as well as with UN Peacebuilding requirements ● Perform project quality assurance, monitoring, reporting, field missions, audits, evaluations, formulations, and project support services providing day-to-day work within the project and with other Country Office units ● Establish annual results, on-going feedback and mid-term and final assessments in line with UNDP Rules and Regulations ● Ensure project meets expectations with respect to quality, budget, delivery timelines, and strategy ● Brief and consult with the Programme Specialist – Governance and other agencies representatives on project progress and provide information and advice as required to contribute to the Country Office initiatives ● Identify areas of improvement by applying best practices/lessons learnt using UNDP corporate monitoring tools and corporate reports ● Provide support in partnerships with specific project partners ● Contribute to manage donor expectations and manage day-to-day donor interaction ● Seek and identify additional partnership and funding opportunities, and prepare funding proposals, donor briefing and presentations in support of resource mobilization to advance UNDP’s and the project goals ● Assist to mobilize, foster, and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN agencies, and other relevant multilateral and bilateral organizations to advance and support the project ● Propose collaboration with relevant Government bodies by working closely with Government counterparts and national partners ● Establish strong ties to and with national programmes, and other relevant stakeholders 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

5 years of experience in the national and/or international level and demonstrated experience working with government officials, implementing partners, international donors, and other counterparts ● Knowledge in peacebuilding, gender equality and SGBV ● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail ● Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills ● Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing ● Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development ● Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel ● 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 ● Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines ● Have affinity with or interest in governance volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Elections and governance, Development programmes

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in a relevant area, such as peacebuilding, social sciences, gender and human rights, international development; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Competencies and values

● Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP 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 UNDP in daily activities and behaviors 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 behavior; 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 UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Gambia is classified as a family duty station and is a generally safe country to live in. This position would require residence in the Greater Banjul Area, which boasts of relatively easy access to services, utilities, and facilities, including communication, housing, and transportation services.

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.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy