Gender Equality Advisor - Home-based Retainer

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Cluster is to rapidly deploy project personnel to the field. To accomplish this, it has established a Pool of Experts, from which it deploys and re-deploys personnel in order to fulfil personnel vacancies.  A Pool of Experts is a roster of specialists whose technical knowledge and personal suitability has been evaluated and approved in advance, allowing them to be deployed on short notice and in short order.   Pool members can be deployed on any of UNOPS contract modalities: FTA, TA, or I-ICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement). 

UNOPS PSC, together with UNMAS, in support of the UN’s 2021 and 2029 gender parity goals, the UN’s Mine Action Strategy 2019-2023, as well as UNOPS’ 2017 Gender Strategy, are committed to increasing diversity across the UNOPS PSC-UNMAS portfolio. This commitment led to a joint UNMAS – UNOPS PSC Portfolio Gender and Diversity Strategy 2019-2023, which is supported by a global workplan together with 18 UNMAS field workplans. These workplans are the cornerstone of the UNMAS – UNOPS PSC partnership’s gender parity and mainstreaming efforts and are essential in achieving the gender parity and mainstreaming objectives of UNMAS’ Strategic Plan 2019-2023 and UNOPS’ corporate quality requirements for Gender Action Plans (GAPs) as part of its newly launched Project Management Manual.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Support, the Gender Equality Advisor will carry out the following tasks:

1) Provide targeted advisory support for the implementation and integration of gender and  diversity aspects of the UNMAS – UNOPS PSC Portfolio Gender & Diversity Strategy

• Provide advisory support to implement the Gender and Diversity strategy’s global workplan and respective 18 UNMAS Field Programme Workplans
• In consultation with the UNOPS PSC Information Management Advisor, continue to expand and refine the gender and diversity dashboard, to ensure that gender and diversity data and deliverables per the 19 workplans are captured to monitor progress and trends
• Implement and lead the gender and diversity focal point network to ensure a system is in place in which focal points regularly meet and share information
• In consultation with UNOPS PSC’s Risk, Quality and Partnerships (RQP) unit, assist in gender mainstreaming into operational practice via UNOPS newly released Project Management Manual (PMM)
• Collect information pertaining to how gender is considered in mine action training across the UNOPS PSC-UNMAS portfolio
• Provide advice and conduct gender and diversity audits to access the implementation of the strategy

2) Provide advisory support for the integration of gender and diversity aspects across UNMAS  programmes and projects to ensure they effectively contribute to gender equality and women’s  empowerment

• Work with the UNOPS PSC Procurement team lead to propose revisions, introduction of best practices and adoption of gender guidelines within UNOPS PSC procurement processes (i.e. request for proposals etc.) with mine action partners’;
• Evaluate, analyses and provide recommendations to revise policies/SOP/manuals and practices to mainstream gender equality and improve prioritization and planning processes
• Proactively make recommendations on gender sensitive approaches, and support on specific initiatives as requested;
• Advise UNOPS PSC teams as well as UNMAS Field Programmes regarding gender mainstreaming to existing contractors and grantees to further improve and monitor its progress;
• Propose specific gender and diversity indicators and describing strong and critical aspects related to the implementation of planned activities as well as the quarterly internal UNOPS PSC portfolio level review process;

3) Provide support in the review of technical guidance notes for mainstreaming gender in projects, e-learning modules and communication materials.

• Devise, lead and  facilitate training/workshops for personnel across the UNOPS PSC – UNMAS portfolio in the area of gender and diversity as it relates specifically to mine action and the environments in which the partnership operates
• When required, support with engendering communication materials or other UNMAS/UNOPS products
• Perform other functions within the above scope as requested by the Hiring Manager.

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in development related disciplines, gender issues, human rights, political science, behavioral science, or other relevant social science fields, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; OR
• First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in development related disciplines, gender issues, human rights, political science, behavioral science, or other relevant social science fields, with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in gender and social development, gender and security, gender analysis, or gender training.
• Experience implementing gender-responsive initiatives is required.
• Experience working in conflict / post-conflict environments is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Home-based Retainer
2. Contract level : IICA-3 (ICS-11)
3. Contract duration : 12 months

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.