Gender Specialist

Position Title: Gender Specialist

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 31 May 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo

(the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See;

Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic

(the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of);

Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles;

Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The Gender and Diversity Coordination Unit aims to ensure that considerations of Gender, Diversity and Social Inclusion are mainstreamed in IOM policies and programmes through the provision of technical guidance, raising awareness on gender equality and diversity inclusion and building the capacity of IOM workforce to be better equipped to incorporate such perspectives to prevent perpetuating existing inequality and discrimination in their everyday work. in responding to the specific needs of all migrants and their families, positively recognizing differences of all types, including age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religious orientation, disability status and family composition.

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Gender and Diversity Unit, the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for supporting the implementation of IOM’s Gender Equality Policy and ensuring IOM’s adherence to other gender-related commitments by providing technical expertise on gender and migration, as well as on gender matters within the Organization.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the overall implementation of the IOM Gender Equality Policy; with a particular focus on meeting IOM institutional commitment to the UN System wide accountability framework on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment and other gender related frameworks.
2. Contribute to IOM’s dialogue with governments, strategic partners and civil society in order to strengthen IOM’s position on the promotion of Gender and Migration; represent and contribute to the international gender and migration debate; participate to official meetings.
3. Identify emerging issues relevant to Gender, Intersectionality and Migration and contribute to the development of policy and reports. Monitor developments in the thematic area, in close collaboration with the RTS Teams, Gender Focal Points Network, Regional and Country Offices and relevant Headquarters (HQ) Departments.
4. Develop regional thematic guidance notes, information sheets and tools on mainstreaming gender into programming and staffing, in coordination with the ROs, COs and relevant HQ Departments.
5. Research and keep well abreast of gender and intersectionality issues, develop information, pedagogical, guidance and training materials on the inclusion of gender and intersectionality issues in programming and in the workplace. Facilitate capacity development and training sessions for IOM staff.
6. Ensure documentation and sharing of experiences, good practices and lessons learned on gender mainstreaming and women empowerment programming are brought to the attention of IOM colleagues at different levels.
7. Maintain reporting and monitoring tools to keep track of relevant gender activities as aligned with the unit workplan and ensure that all relevant documentation is produced and made available upon request.
8. Ensure adequate information management of unit activities including awareness-raising and visibility, regular updates, press releases and production of other relevant materials. Respond to information requests from IOM Units, donors and partners as required.
9. Support the development of project proposals and ensure relevant financial and narrative reporting obligations and accountability are fulfilled according to IOM and donor requirements, standards and timetables.
10. Represent IOM at relevant fora, functions with counterparts, as well as other events, i.e., UN-SWAP annual meeting; Gender Focal Points Network, Gender Champions Focal Points and other gender related events.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Gender Studies, International Affairs, Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Development Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in the field of gender equality, gender mainstreaming, SOGIESC mainstreaming, gender analysis and operational support;
• Experience in capacity development initiatives, adult learning;
• Familiarity with Inter-Agency Gender Coordination fora, experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions and NGOs in the field of gender equality and women empowerment.

Skills

• Good knowledge of project development, management, and reporting;
• Effectively applies knowledge of gender equality, diversity inclusion and migration issues within organizational context;
• Correctly frames migration issues within their regional, global and political context;
• Knowledge of project formulation, administration and evaluation techniques and practices;
• Gender analysis, reporting and writing skills;
• Information management, data collection and analysis;
• Strong computer literacy; Microsoft Office and Adobe suite.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintain high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent, and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected, and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.