UNICEF recrute un consultant en programmation pour l’égalité des sexes, Kenya

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

• UNICEF’s work on gender equality is guided by the Gender Action Plan 2018-2021 (GAP II), which is preceded by the first GAP (2014-2017). The GAP consists of the twin track of achieving integrated gender results across all programmes. Achieving integrated gender results involves results in gender equality in life outcomes for girls and boys and achieving gender equality in care and support of women and children ;
• The GAP demonstrates UNICEF’s strengthened commitment to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. It is also an expression of gender equality as a core mandate for UNICEF. The GAP must therefore guide the work of UNICEF Kenya and programmes delivered need to be gender responsive and transformative, thereby contribute toward gender equality.

Justification :

As UNICEF Kenya Country Office continues with the implementation of the current Country Programme Cycle (2018 – 2022) there is a great need to increase capacity and expertise in the Country Office on gender programming. This was also one of the key recommendations of the Gender Programmatic Review (GPR) that was completed in October 2020. A dedicated function is needed to increase the gender programming capacity in the Country Office and therefore a consultant will be hired to provide technical expertise to the Office. This will be essential in order to implement GPR recommendations and to achieve better results for girls and boys, particularly adolescents, through :

• Provision of technical support to Kenya Country Office’s on major programme directions on gender equality and ensuring existing programmes are gender responsive and where possible also gender transformative ;
• Provision of technical support to UNICEF programme sections/staff to systematically integrate and apply gender analysis, with particular focus on adolescents into assessment, planning, programme design, implementation, monitoring tools and reporting at national and sub-national levels; and
• Advancing one or more of the five targeted gender priorities in the GAP.

In 2021, UNICEF Kenya will deliver an integrated programme for the first ‘1000 Days’ and adolescent wellbeing encompassing interventions in health, nutrition, child protection, social protection and HIV. This is an initiative that has been developed in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As part of this programme UNICEF will implement evidence-driven interventions across sectors to address gender inequality, including specific programming to reduce the barriers faced by girls and women in accessing services. This function will directly support the delivery of the gender related outputs under this integrated programme.

Reference to RWP areas/UNDAF output covered :

This assignment will contribute to the implementation of the following UNDAF and UNICEF Country programme outcomes :

UNDAF :

• SRA Outcome 1 : By 2022, the people of Kenya enjoy improved Governance, access to justice, respect for the rule of law, human rights and gender equality ;
• SRA Outcome 3 : By 2022 people in Kenya access high quality services at devolved level that are well coordinated, integrated and transparent and equitably resourced and accountable.

UNICEF Country Programme outcomes :

Outcome 3.1 Reduced mortality and stunting Increased proportions of vulnerable children and pregnant and lactating women, including adolescent girls, have equitable access to and use quality WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), nutrition, health and HIV/AIDS services to reduce their risk of mortality, preventable diseases, stunting and other forms of malnutrition, and improve their birth outcomes.

Outcome 3.2. An increased proportion of children aged 0 to 18, especially girls from the most disadvantaged counties, informal settlements and those affected by humanitarian crisis, access quality, gender sensitive ECD and education services, with increased transition to secondary education.

Outcome 3.3. Children and adolescents are increasingly protected from exposure to HIV and AIDS, violence, abuse, exploitation and harmful practices, and benefit from increased access to prevention, care, treatment, support, justice and other services needed to ensure their physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Outcome 3.4. An increased number of children from the poorest and most vulnerable households benefit from shock-responsive and integrated social protection interventions, as well as from child-specific policies

Objectives :

The objectives of the assignment is to provide technical advice to the Country Management Team and coordinate the development, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality gender programming across sectors and in alignment with the GAP, with a specific focus on adolescent girls’ empowerment and well-being.

Activities, Tasks, Outputs and Deliverables :

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Deputy Representative, the individual contractor has the following key functions/accountabilities :

Advisory support to Deputy Representative and Representative :

• Provide technical support to Country Management Team (CMT); Programme Coordination Team and other key country-specific leadership teams to ensure strategic inclusion of gender considerations in programming ;
• Coordinate with the Regional Gender Advisor and the Headquarters Gender Section and Participation Section to plan, utilize, monitor and report on gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment for the Country Programme ;
• Participate in ESARO and country level technical working groups and contribute to joint work through these working groups ;
• Provide technical support to the CMT regarding gender in the workplace (e.g. initiatives to support and empower female staff).

Support to programme/project development and planning :

• Provide technical leadership on integration of gender in country programming, in particular in relation to the gender related outputs under the integrated programme implemented in partnership with the Gates Foundation ;
• In collaboration with sectoral colleagues and senior management, review the recent Gender Programmatic Review and develop an KCO Gender Action Plan prioritizing areas of focus for gender responsive and transformative programming for Kenya Country Office with the greatest potential for impact and scale, in alignment with the GAP as well as regional and country priorities ;
• Provide technical support to ensure on-going programmes to address harmful practices (FGM and child marriage) are optimally gender responsive and transformative ;
• Contribute to initiatives, proposals, and advocacy efforts and assist in developing gender-responsive and transformative theories of change models for sector and cross-sectoral programming ;
• Provide technical support to KCO technical working groups, especially the Task Forces for Early Childhood Development and Adolescent Well-Being

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results :

• Support indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking as it relates to gender integration and the Targeted Gender Priorities and results in collaboration with Planning, M&E and sectoral teams ;
• Participate in cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender equality, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results ;
• Work closely with Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation colleagues to effectively integrate data collection, tracking, analysis and reporting on the indicators for the GAP into programme results and gender performance benchmarks into M&E systems ;
• Monitor and coordinate implementation of the gender result area of the Annual Management Plan.

Innovation and knowledge management :

• Build the capacity of programme sections on the documentation, lessons learned and sharing experience in gender programming ;
• Bring best practices in gender and programming for adolescent girls and measurement to the attention of senior management and sectoral colleagues, as well as Regional Gender Advisor and gender section staff at HQ ;
• Develop material and deliver sensitizations KCO and partner staff on the GAP and gender equality.

Selected Key Milestones/deliverables :

• Work plan with proposed timelines as per the recommendations of the Gender Programmatic Review (GPR) Individual work plan developed ;
• Desk review of sectoral work plans and Annual Management Plans (AMP) ;
• KCO Gender Action Plan developed ;
• KCO Gender Working Group established ;
• Technical support provided to ensure gender aspects reflected in new Country Programme Document ;
• Sensitizations sessions on GAP and gender equality for KCO and partners ;
• Implementation status of the Recommendation of the Gender Programmatic Review of UNICEF Kenya Country Office as per MPSR assessed ;
• Gender perspectives reflected in the Situation Analysis (SiTAN) of women and children in Kenya from a Gender Perspective ;
• Gender-related outputs of programmes addressing harmful practices and
• Contributions to annual reports (RAM) and quality Assurance as per GAP

Minimum Qualifications required :

Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas : Social Sciences, Gender, Women’s Studies, International Development.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required :

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on gender and development in key issue areas that are the focus of UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan (GAP) ;
• Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes on gender and development or any other cross cutting programme, especially at country/field level, experience in emergency response is an asset ;
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and cross-sectorally to drive results for change ;
• Strong research, conceptual and analytical skills relevant to gender and adolescent issues ;
• Proven skills and experience in strategic planning for gender programming ;
• Strong leadership, diplomatic, and negotiation skills, along with the ability to deliver results ;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to write succinctly and clearly and speak in public forums ;
• Excellent understanding of UN systems and international development issues ;
• Fluency in English is required, strong written and verbal competency is necessary.

Administrative Details : Home-based until COVID restrictions allow for in-office work

How to Apply :

Interested candidates should apply online using the button below.  As part of their application, candidates should provide :

1. A cover letter that specifies how you meet the desired competencies, technical background and experience (no more than 2 pages) ;
2. A short CV (no more than 4 pages) ;
3. A fee structure that should include: daily rate in USD and total fees ;
4. Relevant records of past work.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Deadline : 30 Mar 2021 E. Africa Standard Time.