Overview of position

The fundamental mission of our client is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to ‘children’s rights into action. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of our client, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Our client is one of five United Nations partners implementing the Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG); other partners are ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, and UN-HABITAT. The first phase of JPLG commenced in April 2008, and the programme has now entered its third phase (2018-2023). JPLG is aligned to the National Development Frameworks, the Somali Stabilization Strategy, the Somali ‘government’s Wadajir Framework for Local Governance and the ‘UN’s Strategic Framework for Somalia. JPLG is implemented in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States of Somalia and the Government of Somaliland with an average annual budget of approximately USD 30-35 million. JPLG pursues a comprehensive capacity development approach aimed at local authorities, state and federal administrations and communities. It builds on existing capacities and focuses on the design and development of policies and systems, capacity-building and institution strengthening, civic education, district planning and budgeting, public and private sector participation in service delivery, and local economic development. In so doing, the JPLG supports a ‘top-‘down’ process covering policy development for local governance and decentralization and ‘bottom-‘up’ empowerment of communities to demand and participate in local governance and economic development. The JPLG approach aims at placing the relevant government institutions in the driving seat for policy, capacity development and service delivery, with a focus on local government institutions and in line with established policies, procedures and systems.

Our client’s main focus of interventions is supporting participatory and inclusive governance approaches, including civic education, participatory planning and social accountability mechanisms and systems, and supporting decentralized service delivery in health, education, social protection and water management. Together with UNDP, our client is leading on ‘JPLG’s efforts to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion in local governance. The programme adopts a two-pronged approach: mainstreaming gender and inclusion across the programme (in policy reforms, dialogue platforms, capacity-building and service delivery), while supporting a dedicated outcome aimed at improving local government engagement with citizens, particularly women, youth and minority groups. UNDP will lead on efforts within local government institutions, while our client will lead on efforts within the community and on strengthening community engagement with local governments. The two agencies will collaborate closely and leverage their respective resources and expertise to ensure the achievement of JPLG gender and inclusion aims.

Role objectives

Under the overall supervision of the Client Programme Specialist (Local Governance), in coordination with the JPLG Gender Taskforce, Client zonal JPLG staff and other JPLG agencies, and colleagues in the Social Policy, Equity and Gender section, the postholder will provide technical support and oversight for the implementation of gender and inclusion activities under the Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG). The role will oversee strategic design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of our client’s contributions to gender equality and social inclusion in local governance under the JPLG programme, with a focus on strengthening the representation, inclusion, retention and voice of women, youth, IDPs and minority groups in local government councils and administration, and in public decision-making processes (planning, budgeting, oversight, accountability, etc.).
The position will also work closely with the JPLG Gender Taskforce and facilitate the smooth and timely coordination, implementation, of the tasks outlined in the Gender Task for TOR.

The Gender Specialist Consultant will specifically be tasked with the following:-

1. Refine and operationalize the JPLG gender and inclusion strategy and support the operationalization of the Gender elements in the revised JPLG M&E framework;
2. Provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of JPLG’s gender and inclusion activities;
3. Support Client JPLG zonal teams to identify strategic gaps, linkages, and opportunities to improve gender and inclusion activities and outcomes;
4. Provide regular reporting on progress in implementing the gender and inclusion strategy, tracking progress as per deliverables in the partner agreements and joint work plans, undertaking regular field visits to review jointly with local partners; documenting achievements as well as constraints and recommending possible steps for addressing bottlenecks in implementation; ensure that key lessons are identified and used to improve programme implementation;
5. Provide support to the JPLG gender task force and act as secretary to ensure the implementation of the task force activities;
6. Strengthen JPLG teams and partners’ understanding and support for gender equality and social inclusion in local governance including building capacity of JPLG team;
7. Support the design of project proposals and fundraising efforts aimed at mobilizing more resources to realize JPLG’s gender and inclusion commitments;
8. Document programme successes and challenges in furthering gender equality and social inclusion aims, including the production of case studies and communication products.
9. Participate in technical working group, steering committee and other joint programme meetings, review meetings and evaluation exercises in consultation with the Client Programme Specialist (Local Governance), other UN agencies and government partners
10. Provide backstopping to the supervisor as and when relevant.

Key Deliverables

1. An analytical report that consolidates how gender mainstreaming can be improved in JPLG.
2. Monthly reports.
3. Guidelines/template for mainstreaming Gender in JPLG reporting.
4. Inputs to Donor and Client reports.
5. Minutes/reports of the JPLG gender task force meetings.
6. Project Proposals.
7. Training modules on mainstreaming gender in local governance.
8. Capacity building of JPLG team on mainstreaming gender in local governance.

Project reporting

Will report to Project Manager

Key competencies

Qualifications required:
Essential:
• Advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Governance (in particular Local governance), Political/Social Sciences, Development Planning, Programme Management, or related fields;
• Demonstrated experience managing complex programmes with multiple partners, including experience with coordination, donor relations, planning, monitoring, and budget management and oversight;
• Proven ability to work with partners, manage staff and consultants, and write proposals and sound evidence-based reports in clear and simple language;
• Strong communication skills, including an ability to build rapport with individuals and groups and maintain an effective network of individuals across organizational departments, agencies and governments;

Desirable:
• Understanding of the socio-political context of Somalia would be an advantage.
• Good understanding of government systems, procedures and processes at all levels (especially district) is desirable;
• Experience in developing Training modules on gender mainstreaming in local governance and providing training
• Working experience on formative research, and evaluation of development interventions would be an advantage.

‘Years’ experience:
 At least six ‘years’ professional experience, at least four of which should be at a professional level working in the areas of gender equality and/or social inclusion in governance, public administration reform, or community development, preferably in a fragile context;
 Experience with the UN system would be desirable.
Geographical experience:
 Somalia- Mogadishu, Somaliland, Puntland, FMS

Core competencies:

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (I)
• Drive for results (I)
  Functional Competencies:
• Formulating strategies and concepts (I)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying Technical Expertise (II)
• Learning & Researching (II)
• Planning & Organizing (II)
  Core Values:
• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Team management

Not Applicable

Further information

• The assignment will initially cover the period from August 2020 to October 2020 (3 months), with possible extension based on the performance, needs, and resource availability. The supervisor will assess the performance of the Consultant periodically.
• Monthly payment will be made based on satisfactory performance and deliverables approved by the supervisor.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for the role