Job Title: SOCIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GENDER), P4
Department/ Office: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA
Duty Station: BEIRUT
Posting Period: 29 July 2011-27 September 2011
Job Opening number: 11-SOC-ESCWA-20300-R-BEIRUT
This post is located within the ESCWA Centre for Women (ECW) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. The Social Affairs Officer (Gender) reports directly to and will be under the overall supervision of the Chief, ESCWA Centre for ECW.
Responsibilities
The Social Affairs Officer (Gender) will be responsible for carrying out the following:
1- Gender Analysis and Gender Mainstreaming: propose, design and carry-out normative and operational activities including research, policy papers, and projects analyzing key socio-economic and political issues and trends of impact on women and gender equality at national, regional and global levels; Assist the ECW in implementing the Secretary General’s directives and General Assembly resolutions for mainstreaming a gender perspective into all activities and projects within the secretariat and provide support to member states in this regard;
2- Follow-up on Implementation of International & Regional Conventions & plans of action, especially the Beijing Platform for Action, the regional action plan -- Beirut Declaration and the national action plans, the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination on Women (CEDAW), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Security Council Resolution 1325 on women and peace, and other instruments;
3- Coordination and Liaison: Liaise and partner with stakeholders in women’s empowerment and gender equality (viz., governments, national machineries for women, research institutes, academia, the UN-Women and regional commissions, the League of Arab States and the Arab Women Organization, and other regional and international organizations) in order to disseminate data and information, policy guidelines to reduce gender imbalances, coordinate on the follow-up on implementation of international instruments, exchange good practices and lessons learned, new models of development, etc.;
4- Support to Intergovernmental Bodies: Assist in servicing the ESCWA Committee on Women (CoW), and provide substantive support and advisory services on gender-related issues to other intergovernmental bodies, especially the ESCWA Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW); Represent ECW at international, regional and national meetings. Organize panels and round tables for intergovernmental processes;
5- Technical Cooperation: provide technical assistance to Governments and national machineries for women in institution-building, formulation and implementation of policies and programs on women’s empowerment and reducing gender imbalances; Design, monitor, and assess the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects, including fund-raising thereof. Undertake missions to member states, either alone or as a member in a multi-disciplinary team, as part of the Organization's technical cooperation activities and/or in support of the ECW work programme; Conduct capacity-building seminars and workshops for Government officials and national machineries for women, and non-governmental organizations advocating women’s issues, among others;
6- General: Participate in the planning and preparation of the ECW strategic framework, budget biennia and programmes of work; day-to-day operations; organize and facilitate national and regional intergovernmental meetings and expert groups; prepare newsletters, media kits, and ‘webinars’ and facilitate online discussions on key and emerging topics on women; guide and supervise the work of junior officers; and perform other duties as required including serving as officer-in-charge of ECW in the absence of the Chief of ECW.
Competencies
Professionalism: extensive knowledge of women’s issues and gender-related theories and concepts and their interlinkages with cultural, socio-economic and political development at national and regional levels; excellent research and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to carry-out and prepare in-depth studies and formulate recommendations for policy-makers; demonstrated ability to solve problems, use sound judgment in proposing and resolving complex issues; strong negotiations and lobbying skills with familiarity with the United Nations and intergovernmental processes are highly desirable; excellent drafting and communications skills (written and oral) with ability to convey complex concepts, views and recommendations to senior civil and international officials;
Planning and Organizing: Ability to coordinate the work of others; meet schedules and tight deadlines; and handle multiple concurrent projects and activities;
Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries;
Managing Performance: Ability to guide, evaluate fairly, motivate and develop junior staff members;
Leadership: Ability to empower junior staff and team members to translate the ECW vision and objectives into tangible results; be proactive in developing strategies to meet goals and objectives; establishes and maintains strong relationships all round; anticipates and resolves conflict by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement with courage. Communicates plans and strategies to team members. Persuades stakeholders towards common goals.
Education
Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in women’s studies and gender, but may also be in sociology, anthropology, law, economics, or any of the social sciences. A first level university degree with preferred academic qualifications and a minimum of 9 years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in women-specific and gender-related issues, gender mainstreaming including gender planning, gender analysis and gender audits is required. Advocacy in promoting advancement of women and gender equality at national and regional levels; and in normative and operational activities and technical cooperation, project formulation and fund-raising, and work with intergovernmental bodies are highly desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English and Arabic is required.
Assessment Method
The shortlisted candidates will undergo a substantive and a competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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