Associate Gender Officer

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is central to UNDP’s support to countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the AU Agenda 2063, as well as other commitments agreed by UN Member States. Despite progress in Africa, women and girls face significant disparities in economic, social, and political opportunities. Major challenges include limited access to land, credit, education, and influence over resources. Women and girls continue to face gender-based violence, limited legal rights, and restricted access to healthcare and political participation.

The Regional Project on Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa aims to enhance the capacity of regional partners including the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to have enhanced evidence-based knowledge and capacity to advocate and support their Member States to fulfill their gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments. It is in line with UNDP's Strategic Plan 2022-2025, Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, Regional Programme 2022-2025, and AUC's Gender Equality Strategy (GES 2017-2027). It supports AU's Agenda 2063 Aspirations to address these challenges. The project also contributes to SDG 2030 Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and related targets under several other goals, reinforcing its commitment to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.

The project specifically aims to contribute to the achievement of the four pillars of the AU-GES (2017- 2027) through i) economic empowerment and financial inclusion for women and girls; ii) reduction and criminalization of violence against women and girls, and their participation in peace processes; iii) protection of women's rights through national laws and judicial systems, including property and inheritance rights, education, and civil liberties; and iv) equal participation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making positions.

Under the direct supervision of the Gender team Leader in the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Summary of Key Tasks
• Support towards the planning and implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Regional Project.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Assist in the preparation and sharing of communication and knowledge products with best practices and lessons learned.

Support towards the planning and implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Regional Project

• Support day-to-day planning, implementation, and monitoring aspects of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment regional project.
• Support to coordinate project activities and ensure alignment with timelines and objectives by collaborating with key stakeholders, tracking deliverables, and following up on logistical arrangements to ensure smooth execution of project tasks.
• Assist in providing inputs to the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports.
• Assist in planning and organization of learning webinars, capacity building, and training events, including maintaining relevant databases, and following up with participants.
• Assist resource mobilization efforts by contributing inputs to concept notes, proposals, and write-up workshops.

Contribute to the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework

• Assist in the development of a data management plan, including data storage, analysis, and reporting procedures.
• Assist in collecting and analyzing information and provide gender-specific analytical support to the Gender team towards the development of strategies, policies, and country support.
• Support in preparing and compiling regular progress and final reports, highlighting key achievements and lessons learned from the Regional and Country Offices initiatives.
• Assist in coordinating the review of country project proposals, policy briefs, and strategies to include gender.
• Assist in coordinating support for Country Offices (COs) by developing a comprehensive tracking tool to monitor the assistance provided, and conducting regular follow-ups to address any issues or delays.

Assist in the preparation and sharing of communication and knowledge products with best practices and lessons learned

• In collaboration with the UNDP Regional Gender Team and COs, contribute to the preparation and design of communication and knowledge products, including lessons learned and best practices on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE).
• Assist in creating summaries of reports, infographics, or case studies summarizing key lessons learned and best practices that can be published on the UNDP website and social media.
• Support in organizing webinars, workshops, and team meetings to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices.
• Perform other complementary duties as required, including tasks necessary to ensure the complete, timely, and successful delivery of the Unit’s work plan.