Project Associate, Gender Mainstreaming in Institutions

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Global Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) presents a vital opportunity for addressing gender disparities and dismantling barriers to human development over the next 15 years. However, governments encounter challenges in translating these global objectives into national development agendas.

UNDP continuously provides strategic guidance, policy advice and technical support to the decisions makers at various levels and ensures the gradual process of development of the overarching system of gender mainstreaming in the governance system, making it consistent and aligned with international commitments and best practices in gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment approach. Overall, UNDP’s efforts create a conducive environment for gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives, driving positive systemic changes and promoting inclusivity across all levels of governance.

Effective mechanisms must be developed to promote equality, non-discrimination, and women’s empowerment within harmonized agendas. It’s crucial to institutionalize gender equality within state operations, internalizing commitment across mandates, regulations, processes, and budgets.

The UNDP Gender Equality Seal offers a fresh take on gender mainstreaming, highlighting the linkages between organizational transformation and development results. The Gender Equality Seal process helps office to establish a baseline, fine tune strategies, identify and address gaps and challenges, document innovations and evaluate development impact and results.

UNDP, in collaboration with Human Resources Management Authority, aims to implement the Gender Equality Seal in Public Institutions. This initiative recognizes and supports efforts towards substantive gender equality at three levels: political commitment, public policy cycle management, and organizational integration of the gender perspective.

Strengthening public administration, particularly human resources management, is crucial for Montenegro’s European integration process, expected public administration reform and effective service delivery. While the government has shown commitment to gender equality goals, insufficient efforts in gender mainstreaming persist. UNDP’s strategic initiatives have supported gender mainstreaming, offering assessments, guidelines, tools, and fostering institutional transformation dialogue.

The Human Resources Management Authority (HRMA), as a key institution in capacity development, was central to these efforts. HRMA’s role encompasses capacity development, recruitment, and supporting public administration reform. Through tailor-made training, including gender mainstreaming, HRMA equips public employees and decision-makers with knowledge and tools for inclusive policy development. The partnership between UNDP and HRMA will further embed gender equality into daily activities, fostering inclusive development and democratic governance. UNDP Montenegro remains committed to supporting HRMA’s capacity development, prioritizing institutional gender mainstreaming.

Duties And Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the respective Project Analyst (Manager) for Gender Mainstreaming, the incumbent will be required to carry out the following main tasks on a regular basis.

Ensure provision of support in implementing/delivering of different aspects of the Gender Programme portfolio, focusing on Institutional gender mainstreaming:

• Provide support to the Project Analyst on all administrative, budgetary, technical and programmatic aspects of projects;
• Develop tailored work plan for the integration of Gender Equality SEAL projects and be responsible for its implementation;
• Support the Project Analyst in day-to-day management and oversight of project activities;
• Support the Project Analyst in the preparation of various portfolio reports such as narrative/programmatic progress reports, updates, etc.;
• Ensure all project documentation (progress reports, consulting and other technical reports, minutes of meetings, etc.) are properly maintained in hard and electronic copies in an efficient and readily accessible filing system, for when required by the Project Steering Committee, UNDP Project Analyst, UNDP Gender Cluster Team Leader, project consultants and other relevant staff;
• Support Project Analyst in coordinating activities with national partners (Governement, CSOs, academia, media, etc.), ensuring timely and successful implementation of all interventions/activities defined by the Project documents, promoting networking and experience sharing between all relevant stakeholders;
• Provide support to the Project Analyst on all programmatic aspects of the Programme including strategic inputs and contributions to gender equality dimension in the work of HRMA and corresponding public administration with particular focus on institutional gender mainstreaming and capacity development;
• Provide technical inputs and advise on preparation/implementation of project documents/activities, reports including definition of information requirements, data gathering and analysis;
• Support timely coordination and implementation of recruitment and deployment of experts to support Project implementation;
• Provide support to implementation of procurement related activities in line with UNDP rules, regulations and policies;
• Support Project Analyst in the formulation and update of project risks, issues, monitoring, evaluation as well as targets and results and provision of regular updates in Quantum;
• Provide support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing through participation in the trainings for the operations/projects staff and sound contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Support knowledge building and sharing regarding Gender Equality Seal in RBEC region;
• Produce and support development of various knowledge products regarding gender mainstreaming in institutions tapping on the best practices from Gender Equality Seal in RBEC;
• Support the development and implementation of communication and visibility plans to effectively promote Gender Equality Seal and Gender portfolio and its achievements to relevant stakeholders, including the media, government, private sector, academia, and the general public, using diverse and innovative communication channels and tools.

Provide support to implementation/delivery of all aspects of the projects’ annual workplans:

• Implement day-to-day Project duties/activities;
• Contribute to the preparation of all necessary project documents/plans;
• Implementation of action plans and assigned tasks;
• Assist in identifying relevant sources of expertise for project/activity implementation;
• Timely raise and inform Project Analyst on any issue that may arise during the project implementation and advice on potential adjustments of actions and procedure in light of changing requirements and needs;
• Assist the Project Analyst in the preparation of various regular reports (e.g. narrative/programmatic progress reports);
• Maintain day to day communication with Operations Unit regarding the Projects administration matters; procurement, human resources and finance matters;
• Provide support to implementation of procurement related activities in line with UN/UNDP rules, regulations and policies;
• Perform regular financial and administrative duties necessary for the successful and timely Projects` implementation, when needed: Enter daily transactions in Quantum system (vouchers, requisitions, etc.); Perform regular budget revisions; Provide regular delivery estimation and monthly expense estimation to the Finance Unit; provide regular reporting regarding the Project expenditures; Prepare periodic Project asset/inventory reports;
• Draft routine correspondence, facsimile, memoranda and reports from oral instructions, previous correspondence or other available information sources, in accordance with the standard office procedures, and ensure appropriate follow-up; write minutes from the meetings;
• Liaise with all project stakeholders and partners;
• Assist in promotion of the project visibility;
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Project Associate will be responsible for daily support to respective Project Analyst for Gender Mainstreaming. The incumbent will be based in UNDP Country Office in Podgorica.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1:Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

2030 Agenda: People – Gender

• Gender and Institutional Development
• UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal Initiative
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Women’s Leadership (Political, Public Admin and Private Sector)

Business Management – Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and chose communication methods depending on the audience;
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management – Partnership Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management – Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Required Skills And Experience

Education

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor´s degree in social sciences or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant project implementation working experience preferably with an international organization, government institution, or an NGO.

Language

• Fluency in English and Montenegrin is required.

Required Skills

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired Skills

• Experience in working with public administration on gender equality and gender mainstreaming matters;
• Experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment advocacy, policy development, normative framework development;
• Experience in working in complex and multi layered development activities and projects.

Disclaimer

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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