1000Communities2 ("1000CommunitiesSquared")

Description:

Classification Level: Social Affairs Officer P-4
Deadline for applications: 22 April 2009
Organizational Unit: United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW)
Duty Station: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 
To start on 1 May 2009 through 31 December 2009 with possibility of an extension.

Remuneration: Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Director of INSTRAW, the Social Affairs Officer (P4) is:

1. Responsible for the work of the Institute in the research and training strategic area and in particular in the area of political participation, governance and gender and gender migration and development. This includes:

• (a) prepare project and programme proposals, follow up and monitoring project, and programmes implementation, fund raising activities and report to donors;
• (b) develops and implements technical cooperation initiatives, including capacity building activities, and expert group meetings in collaboration with substantive specialists;
• (c) develops effective working partnerships with national mechanisms, civil society organizations and UN entities; represents INSTRAW in Agency bodies such as inter-agency meetings and other expert group meetings;
• (d) keeps abreast of assistance provided by the United Nations system and other international organizations and works to ensure that gender equality issues are effectively mainstreamed in the area of development,
• (e) supervision of INSTRAW staff and consultants;
• (f) preparation of the terms of reference, identifications and recruitment of consultants, and oversight of the work of consultants, provides feedback on drafts; oversees finalizations, publication and dissemination of Research Report;
• (g) provides inputs to Research institutes and other;

2. Coordinates the preparation of INSTRAW strategic documents, such as Strategic frameworks,Annual work plans and other relevant reports that the institute presents to the Executive Board, ECOSOC and other bodies;

3. Coordinates INSTRAW operational work with OSAGI, DAW and UNIFEM; and collaborates with theRegional Economic Commissions as required;

4. Act as Officer-in-Charge during the absence of the Director from HQ.

Competencies:

Professionalism:

• In-depth knowledge of global gender equality issues, including the gender dimensions of strategic issues, and gender mainstreaming tools and methodologies.
• Ability to conduct gender quality research projects and to undertake strategic gender analysis; as well as to coordinate training and capacity building activities on gender mainstreaming.
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines in relation to gender equality in the context of the United Nations.
• Recognize expert in the field of gender issues; ability to advise and to provide technical backstopping to researchers, development practitioners and government officials; conceptual and strategic ability to analyze and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of gender-related issues and key strategic areas.

Communication:

• Excellent communications skills;
• Ability to conduct high-level discussions and negotiations in a productive manner with senior government officials, representatives of international organizations, civil society groups and experts in related fields;
• Ability to prepare succinct, analytical reports.

Teamwork:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations, both within the UN system and externally;
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multiethnic environment with respect for diversity.

Commitment to continuous learning:

• Demonstrated capacity to be innovative and flexible;
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in gender mainstreaming;
• Willingness to contribute to UN institutional knowledge through active participation in the documentation and sharing of lessons learned and good practices;
• Ability to maintain a network of external research and academic institutions working on issues relating to gender.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development studies, social sciences, including gender studies or related fields.\
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible policy advice and programme management experience related to the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights, particularly with international organizations.
• Proven expertise for integrating gender perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes.
• Prior field experience preferably with United Nations and/or other international agencies is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

To Apply:

Applicants should submit a completed UN Personal History Form (P.11) and send it by email before cob 22 April 2009, to Ms. Colleen Louis, Executive Office, (louis1@un.org) including latest PAS (completed and signed) for internal candidates.

Website: http://www.un-instraw.org/en/instraw/opportunities/social-affairs-officer.html