Diversity and Inclusion Specialist (Gender)

Background Information - Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency.  At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services. 

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job-Specific Information

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Diversity and Inclusion Specialist supports AFCO’s projects and programmes, by developing, reviewing, managing and coordinating the overall implementation and monitoring of the gender mainstreaming framework and corresponding action plans while simultaneously providing capacity building support to staff, partners and contractors, as required.

Summary of Key Functions  

1. Integrate social and gender aspects in projects and programmes

2. Stakeholder engagement and communication

3. Monitoring and evaluation

4. Knowledge sharing and knowledge building

5. Team management

1. Integrate social and gender aspects in projects and programmes

• Lead the development, review and implementation of AFCO's gender policy and strategy to facilitate the implementation of transformative Gender Action Plans in projects and programmes.

• Lead the design and implementation of Gender Transformative Approaches within AFCO. 

• Conduct gender analysis across AFCO, particularly for project and programme areas. Include the collection of data in target communities, analyze challenges and opportunities for women’s economic activities in projects and programmes, and analyze existing women’s collective actions.

• Provide direct and routine support and advice to AFCO’s Project Development Unit (PDU), ensuring gender is an integral component of all engagement development processes and, in particular, project plans and documents.

• Ensure gender, poverty and social development issues are incorporated and implemented in all project and programme components.

• Prepare Project Gender Action Plans (GAP) where required.

• Provide project-specific support to existing projects and programmes in relation to the prevention and addressing of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) as per UNOPS policies and donor policies.

• Advice and support implementation of gender equality measures and gender transformative actions in specific projects and programmes, as per project design.

2. Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Represent UNOPS AFCO in all gender, diversity and inclusion related coordination for a in Afghanistan.

• In conjunction with the AFCO Partnerships Specialist, develop effective mechanisms to ensure participation of, and regular consultation with relevant stakeholders in the implementation of gender activities.

• Maintain regular communication on gender issues and related tasks with provincial coordinators, community development officers at the province and district levels, and make regular visits to target provinces, districts and villages in consultation with community mobilizers.

• Provide support and guidance on the development of communication products related to women empowerment and gender inclusion aspects for projects and programmes.

3. Monitoring and evaluation

• Ensure implementation and monitoring of the UNOPS gender, diversity and social inclusion action plan.

• Ensure gender specific data are regularly collected and analyzed. 

• Conduct, evaluate and report on social and/or gender audits.

• Contribute to the identification and capturing of best practices and lessons learnt on social and gender equality.

4. Knowledge sharing and knowledge building

• Act as AFCO’s Senior Gender Focal Point and mentor and capacity build all AFCO Gender Focal Points, with structured development plan.

• Support the development and delivery of workshops on gender-related concepts, policies or sectoral issues to develop knowledge and ownership on gender issues.

• Conduct and assist community mobilizers to plan and design training and orientation on gender and social analysis and support incorporating gender aspects in participatory governance/management, leadership development and other gender/social development related training for staff, partners and communities, as appropriate.

• Collect good practices and lessons learnt and share them regularly with AFCO management and staff, as well as other UNOPS country offices for greater knowledge sharing on gender issues within the organization.

5. Team management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Diversity and Inclusion Specialist directly impacts on the positive impact of UNOPS projects and programmes on the lives of girls, boys, women and men in Afghanistan. It confirms and raises the profile of UNOPS’ commitment to gender, diversity and inclusion, including gender parity within the organization and gender mainstreaming in all UNOPS areas of work.

Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans that the Supervisor and incumbent will prepare at the beginning of the assignment.  

a. Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in gender and diversity studies, sociology,  or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with 2 additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

b. Work experience 

• A minimum of 5 years working on gender mainstreaming, gender equality programmes and/or community development is required.

• Experience in FIDIC contracts management is highly valued.

• Experience in capacity building and training related to community development projects is desirable. 

• Previous work experience in a similar position within the UN common system,NGOs or development organizations is preferred. 

• Demonstrated experience working with and championing Gender Transformative Approaches is required.

• Experience working in developing countries or a post-conflict context is an advantage.

• Knowledge and understanding of the gender and diversity context of Afghanistan is required.

c. Languages

• Proficiency in English is required.

• Proficiency in Pashto and Dari languages are required.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.