Humanitarian Financing Advisor on Gender and GBV

Hiring Office:

OCHA Pooled Fund Management Branch in New-York & UNFPA, Humanitarian office

Purpose of consultancy:

The Call-to-Action Road Map (2016-2021) highlights the need for a better understanding of the actual financial requirements for GBV and gender equality as well as the need to establish tracking mechanisms to report on funding for GBV programming. The new road map also has an outcome indicator (4C) that directly measures the degree to which country-based pooled funds integrate GBV into strategies, selection criteria, and funding decisions.

The independent Gender Financing Study (commissioned by UN Women and UNFPA also highlighted the need for increased attention to gender equality and lifesaving GBV and SRH services; that financial asks are relatively low (not reflecting actual needs) and the percentage of funding received in response are also low compared to other sectors.

The Oslo Conference on Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Crises brought to light the difficulties in understanding what actual GBV and gender financial requirements are for targeted programming, mainstreaming (response and prevention) and integration into other sectors. Since then, although uneven, progress has been made, but longer-term dedicated collaboration on the issue is required to enable a better understanding of overall requirements.

The Emergency Relief Coordinator has identified the importance of prioritizing women and girls across the humanitarian response, including through bolstering humanitarian financing specifically for the needs of women and girls as one of four strategic objectives or “steers” of the CERF allocations. UNFPA and OCHA are collaborating on how to support the implementation of this strategic objective in a more systematic and consistent manner. Protection and GBV remains among the most underfunded activities across response, with current funding mechanisms lacking an overall approach to ensure gender equality and GBV is provided sufficient attention, in CERF and pooled funding allocations and within HNOs and HRPS. OCHA and UNFPA are already collaborating on inclusive approaches to improve funding to local responders through the pooled funding, and piloting new approaches under the CERF.

A consultant to serve as Humanitarian Financing Advisor on GBV and Gender Equality will be recruited by UNFPA for the OCHA Pooled Fund Management Branch and will report to the Chief of the Branch’s Guidance, Learning, and Reporting Section.

The OCHA Pooled Fund Management Branch provides global strategic direction, technical and operational support for UN managed humanitarian Pooled Funds (Central Emergency Response Fund and Country Based Pooled Funds).

In this context, the purpose of the consultancy is to:

Working in OCHA under the overall leadership and supervision of the Chief, Guidance, Learning and Reporting Section the incumbent will support the strengthening of the work of the Pooled Funds related to gender equality as well as Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health, informed by the outcomes of the recent IASC evaluation on Gender Equality and women’s empowerment and post-Oslo survey on SGBV Pledging conference.

This will include:

1. Reviewing of and advising on policies and guidance on Pooled Fund Management with regard to gender equality, GBV and localization as it regards women-led organizations.

2. Strengthening the collection and analysis of gender data in Pooled Fund projects and information products

3. Improving methodologies and processes for reviewing, assessing and vetting gender aspects of pooled fund allocation strategies and projects.

4. Providing advice on how to bolster pooled fund resourcing of gender related activities and outcomes.

5. Strengthening capacity of Pooled Fund management staff (at headquarters and in the field) in assessing the application of Gender in Humanitarian Action and GBV accountability frameworks in pooled funds strategies and allocations.

6. Coordinating the implementation of follow-up actions to CERF’s recent study reviewing thematic GBV allocations.

7. Coordinating the follow-up to the Gender and Disability contact groups’ recommendations and supporting inclusion of the recommendations to CERF and CBPF processes.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

• Pooled Fund Policies and guidance on gender equality and GBV strengthened.

• Support relevant pilot initiatives and lessons learning on targeted gender equality and GBV allocations by the pooled funds and ensure that learning is integrated in pooled funds processes including from the Gender and Disability Contact Groups.

• Work with the OCHA Senior Gender Advisor and CERF/CBPF gender focal points on briefing and background documents on progress made by Pooled Funds on gender financing for senior management and feed into different initiatives/products to strengthen communication on the efforts made by the Funds.

• Improve assessment criteria on GBV in pooled fund allocations and strengthen use of GAM scores in the review of submissions.

• Support the strengthening of project review mechanisms in PFMB in support of Gender and GBV and mobilize existing resources from Regional Emergency GBV Advisors (REGA)/GBV AoR accordingly.

• Advise on gender and GBV dimensions of new initiatives to advance localization in PFMB and targets for gender equality and GBV in humanitarian actions.

• Serve as focal point for reporting on gender equality, GBV allocation to FTS and work on how to improve tracking system and reporting to donors.

• Prepare relevant progress and analytical reports on gender equality and GBV for the pooled funds.

• Work with Humanitarian Financing Strategy and Analysis Section (HFSA), Co-Chairs of Oslo GBV Conference and GBV AoR on post-Oslo GBV Conference follow-up.

• Improve capacity of OCHA Pooled Fund Staff on gender equality and GBV, and accountability framework.

• Serve as focal point for any external commissioned studies or evaluations relating to gender and OCHA pooled funds.

Any Other Duties

Perform any other duties as required by the Pooled Fund Management Branch, OCHA.

Duration and working schedule:

11 months initially with the possibility of extension if mutually agreed by OCHA and UNFPA.

Place where services are to be delivered:

This position is based in the Guidance, Learning and Reporting Section of OCHA’s Pooled Fund Management Branch in New York (or home-based)

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Electronic

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The incumbent will work closely with all units under the Pooled Fund Branch, Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization Division, OCHA and the OCHA Senior Gender Advisor.

Supervisory arrangements:

Chief of Pooled Fund Guidance, Learning and Reporting Section, Pooled Fund Management Branch, OCHA, with dotted line to UNFPA Humanitarian Office Data Advisor

Expected travel:

None

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Education:

• Advanced degree in international studies, development studies, women’s studies, political sciences or other relevant field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs or other related area, including in Gender Based Violence or Gender, of which at least two (2) years should be at the field level.

• Experience in humanitarian financing and familiarity with OCHA Pooled Fund mechanism (CERF and CBPF), humanitarian architecture and reforms, outcomes of the World Humanitarian Summit and Grand Bargain Commitments.

• Understanding of GBV Accountability Framework and Gender in Humanitarian Action.

• Excellent ability to communicate clearly, concisely and easily, and to draft, communicate/network and establish and nurture good human relations skills with stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills, initiative, sound judgement and demonstrated ability as a team player who can work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds.

• Experience with the UN/multilateral institutions, civil society and the private sector is highly recommended. Familiarity with UN policies, programmes and procedures is preferred.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity

• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system

• Embracing cultural diversity

• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results

• Being accountable

• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen

• Thinking analytically and strategically

• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships

• Communicating for impact

Functional Skill Set:

• Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results

• External and internal communication and advocacy

• Leading global advocacy for organizational priorities

• Creating visibility for the organization.

Languages:

• Fluency in English. Knowledge of an additional UN language, preferably French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

None

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

n/a