Gender and HIV Specialist

The European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls, and harmful practices, which will follow a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. In line with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Initiative will follow a human rights-based approach and take into consideration the specific needs of women and girls who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind”. The Spotlight Initiative aims to support transformative change on the ground to end violence against women and girls, in numerous countries globally. 

Violence against women and girls is one of the most universal and pervasive human rights violations in the world. It takes various forms and occurs everywhere compromising the wellbeing and development of women and girls and of society. Violence against women also has high economic costs. A study by Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) in 2010 estimated at 40 million meticais per year the cost of legal, health and police assistance to victims of VAWG nation-wide. Women are also exposed to the risk of HIV infection due to sexual violence. In Mozambique, HIV and AIDS constitutes a major challenge for the development of the country. The prevalence of HIV among Mozambican adults aged 15-49 is 13.2% (IMASIDA 2015). The survey reveals that in provinces with the high rates of HIV as Gaza and Sofala, the prevalence among young women is almost five or six times higher than men of similar age. Gender inequalities and gender-based violence prevent women, adolescent girls and young women from being able to protect themselves against HIV and not being able to access treatment.

The UNDP in collaboration with other UN Agencies is among the relevant partners that is highly involved with a set of interventions to effectively prevent and combat SGBV/HP. Among the relevant interventions are aiming to support and to improve Legislation, support the expansion of CAI (Integrated Attendance Center) around the country. On the prevention front, support the government and the CSO’s to implement social mobilization towards the elimination of violence against women and girls in schools, as well as a strong focus on boys and male engagement while empowering both girls and boys to speak out, and GBV services provision. Resource mobilization for interventions, capacity building with a view to develop capacities at central, provincial and district levels.

Aiming to improve the environment to prevent and fight SGBV/HP, UNDP in collaboration with other UN agencies in Mozambique supported the country in the formulation of the following Laws: Bill n.7/2008 Child Protection  (Lei de bases da proteção da criança); Bill n. 6/2008 Anti-Traffic against people, especially children and women (Lei do trafico de pessoas, especialmente mulheres e criancas); Bill n. 8/2008 Lei da tutela de menores; Bill n. 6/99 Regula o acesso de menores a recintos públicos; Bill n. 10/2004- Family Law; Law n. 29/2008 on domestic violence against women and girls; Criminal Code- Revision of the Criminal Code, of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Código do processo penal) and of the Regulation of execution of sentences and private and non-custodial measures (regulamentação da execução de penas e medidas privativas e não privativas de liberdade); Bill n. 19/2014- for protection of people living with HIV and AIDS, workers and Job seekers  against stigma and discrimination (Lei da Proteção da Pessoa, do Trabalhador e do candidato a Emprego vivendo com HIV e SIDA contra estigma e discriminação).

However, in country, gaps prevails in some crucial areas of legislation in forms of: Delays on the Final approvals of Legislation (Laws, policies, plans, strategies); Laws approved but with no Regulation; Interpersonal Gender biased socio-cultural norms of the legislators: legislator socio-cultural beliefs and limited technical capacity undermine the approval of the revised rights based legislation for women and girls. Technical capacities of the legislator to legislate: Parliament capacity to legislate on gender issues, including GBV and HP, with a human right based perspective (Child Marriage law and alignment of Art.30 of Family Law n. 10/2004, 25 June 2004, with the international instruments ratified by Mozambique). Key Ministries of the GBV Multisector mechanism without a sectoral plan of interventions- Ministry of Justice do not have a sector plan to combat GBV and to contribute to the implementation of the National multisector NAP on GBV under (MGCAS). It is therefore not easy to understand the targets of the sector and how do they contribute to the national Plan. Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health in the process of development. Alignment between the national legislation with the International commitments- Child Marriage law and alignment of Art.30 of Family Law n. 10/2004, 25 June 2004, with the international instruments ratified by Mozambique. National legislation does not prohibit all forms of VAW/G in all settings – ex. Not prohibited in public spaces, schools, work places. Pending approval of very sensitive legislation, the Anti-trafficking: The National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking (VoTs) was developed with national and international anti-trafficking legislation – to be approved.

UNDP interventions on Spotlight Initiative will contribute to address some of the mentioned gaps and towards the implementation of the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies;

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

This is aligned with UNDP’s democratic governance mandate and practice focuses on fostering inclusive participation, strengthening responsive governing institutions, and promoting democratic principles and as well as with the UNDP HIV, Gender and Human rights mandate that links also HIV to GBV/ HP Meet the HIV needs of women and girls and stop sexual and gender-based violence.

It is against this background that UNDP aims to recruit a Gender and HIV/AIDS  Specialist.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Governance and Social Cohesion UNIT, the Gender and HIV/AIDS Specialist will be the UNDP CO Gender and HIV/ AIDS focal point as well as responsible for the overall planning, management, implementation and achievement of the Spotlight Initiative (SLI) results.

For the SLI, He/she will work in close coordination with the other SLI RUNOs and the EU.

The incumbent will work in close consultation with the responsible parties namely:

Justice institutions, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders.

The Gender and HIV/AIDS Specialist will set the strategic direction for the SLI project, manage the project’s day-to-day activities and ensure proper management of financial and human resources for the said Project. Furthermore, the Gender and HIV/AIDS Specialist will work in close collaboration with the programme staff in other relevant UN agencies, government partners and civil society towards ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation. He/she will be housed in UNDP CO and be part of the UNDP Governance and Social Cohesion Team.

Key Jobs Responsibilities:

The Gender and HIV/AIDS Specialist will perform the following functions:

Advise the Country Office on Gender and HIV - AIDS policies, trends and relevant linkages to UNDP Country Programmes and Lead in the technical implementation and management of the Spotlight Initiative:  

• Provide strategic inputs to the design, planning, implementation, monitoring of and reporting on UNDP’s programmes and SLI Project, with focus on gender and HIV -AIDS, GBV aspects;

• Review, analyze and appraise development programmes and projects from gender and HIV and AIDS perspectives;

• Provide substantive inputs to UNDAF, CPD and other strategic relevant documents;

• Identify areas for support and interventions on gender and HIV/AIDS;

• Provide quality assurance for the effective management of the Country Office Programme whilst ensuring mainstreaming of gender approaches that achieve the goal of gender equality;

• Support the development of annual workplan and budget in discussion with RUNOs for Spotlight Initiative and manage the implementation;

• Manage the technical implementation of the UN Spotlight initiative activities; ensure synergies with other teams;

• Develop and submit financial and narrative reports;

• Ensure the implementation of the programme is in line with results-based management standards;

• Provide input to Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings.

Lead technical assistance and capacity development to programme stakeholders on Spotlight initiative

• Provide technical assistance to local partners supporting programme implementation; 

• Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives;

• Provide a forum for exchanging experiences; consolidate lessons learned and key outcomes of workshops, webinars and other meetings/events;

• Analyze emerging needs; follow up on technical issues and challenges emerging

• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the programme; respond to any potential problems;

• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners;

• Design and develop programme strategies related to the Spotlight Initiative 

• Design and formulate programme proposals and initiatives;

• Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to the Spotlight initiative.

Ensure Implementation of programmes focusing on Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization knowledge building and communication and strategies:

• Provide inputs to and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;

• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization;

• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing Guide and lead in advocacy, efforts in the area of violence against women and girls

• Develop and review background documents, policies, briefs and presentations related to HIV/AIDS, human rights, gender and Spotlight Initiative issues;

• Provide inputs to advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation as necessary;

• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning in area;

• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on the Spotlight Initiative;

• Facilitating continuous institutional capacity assessment for HIV and AIDS based development policy planning and implementation;

• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the Governance thematic area;

Provision of top quality technical/ programmatic support to the Government and other partners, toward the achievement of the following results:

• Scanning the policy and political environments and advising on their implications for HIV/AIDS, human rights and gender programming as well as in the SLI;

• Sound technical analysis on HIV/AIDS, human rights and gender to better support engagements with national partners and strengthen programme development;

• Mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS, human rights and gender into the CPD, UNDAF and other UN-wide documents;

• Technical support to the development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;

• Technical support for the establishment and effective functioning of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks;

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;

• In-depth knowledge on development issues;

• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;

• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills 

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;

• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting

• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources

• Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit

• Strong IT skills

• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in development studies, gender studies, political science, international relations or related field

Experience:

• Over 7 years of post-master’s degree (or 10 years past BA degree) relevant professional experience of work in the areas of Gender and HIV/AIDS;

• Previous experience in providing development advisory services to a range of clients;

• Hands-on experience in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;

• Proven track record in policy analysis in the areas of gender and HIV/AIDS;

• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;

• Excellent writing, communication and facilitation skills;

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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