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 legal basis for the joint programme is the Legal Annex for the Transitional Framework 2022-2023 which currently serves as a bridging document between the previous UN-Ukraine Partnership Framework (2018-2022) and the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2024-2027). Additionally, the present Joint Programme is built upon the engagement between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence which was materialized through the signed ‘Framework of Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence’.
The present programme was mainly designed in response to the needs expressed by the Ukrainian authorities in the course of the development of the Framework of Cooperation on the prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) signed between the United Nations and the Government of Ukraine in May 2022 and the development of the related Implementation Plan (IP) which intends to coordinate the efforts related to CRSV response of a broad range of stakeholders, including international partners, UN agencies, government entities and civil society organizations. In this view, the Joint Programme will create the critical infrastructure in Ukraine that can take over this work and enable an in-person shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration with the Ukrainian government pushing the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation (FoC) forward by responding to the immediate needs that the Inter-Ministerial Working Group is experiencing in terms of human resources.
The present programme is fully aligned with CEDAW Convention provisions, its general recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations and the recent concluding observations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Committee on the ninth periodic report of Ukraine [CEDAW/C/UKR/9] issued at the occasion of its 1921st and 1923rd meetings held in October 2022. The Joint Programme practically responds to a number of recommendations expressed by the Committee (especially paragraph 16).
Position Purpose
This position is located in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRCO), in Kyiv. The incumbent reports directly to the Head of the UN Resident Coordinators’ Office (RCO), administratively to the UNDP Resident Representative and works under the overall guidance and supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine.
In resolution 2467 (2019), the Security Council requested inter alia the timely deployment of women’s protection advisors (WPAs) to Offices of UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators in all relevant situations of concern, in addition to their deployment to relevant UN peace operations and special political missions. Security Council resolution 2467 is one in a series of resolutions adopted since 2008, which recognized conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to security and an impediment to the restoration of peace. WPAs advise UN senior leadership on the implementation of the operational provisions of these resolutions by ensuring the establishment and functioning of the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence (MARA), and by engaging with parties to the conflict to support their compliance with international norms through the adoption of time-bound commitments to prevent and address these crimes.
In Ukraine, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC) is supporting the Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator/UN country team and national authorities by strengthening the collective capacity to prevent, document and respond on CRSV, in a coordinated fashion and in line with the Framework of Cooperation (FoC) signed between the SRSG and the Ukrainian DPM on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration in 2022, and with its subsequent Implementation Plan (IP). In this context, a team comprising of a Senior WPA (P5), plus dedicated WPAs in key agencies involved in the implementation of the FoC/IP, namely UNFPA, OHCHR and UN Women is being established to advise UN senior leadership, support coordination efforts and the implementation of the operational provisions of Security Council resolutions 2467, 2331, 2106, 1960, 1888 and 1820. The team will also work closely with and support as appropriate the national structures established to implement the aforementioned Framework of Cooperation, including national experts recruited for this purpose.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provide technical and strategic advice to United Nations Country Team (UNCT)
- Supporting the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2331(2016) and 2467 (2019) on CRSV, including through a survivor-centered approach.
- Working in support of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and in close coordination with relevant entities of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), including UNPFA, OHCHR, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, UNODC, UN Women, WHO, as well as the OSRSG-SVC on the provision of technical and strategic advice to relevant national stakeholders in the prevention and response to CRSV.
- Advising the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team on the integration of strategies for the prevention and response of CRSV, in United Nations’ relevant strategic planning frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Common Country Analysis (CCA), the Humanitarian Response Plan, Peacebuilding Priority Plans, among others.
Lead coordination and engagement with partners.
- Supporting the engagement with all relevant parties to the conflict on CRSV concerns for the adoption of time-bound commitments by those parties to address CRSV, under the direction of the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Ukraine and in close collaboration with OSRSG-SVC as well as relevant members of the UNCT.
- Coordinating the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation on the prevention and response to CRSV with the Government of Ukraine and co-chairing at the working level the Ministerial level Task Force established by the authorities.
- Supporting the relevant national authorities, in close coordination with the Resident Coordinator and UN Women to integrate CRSV considerations within the National Action Plan on Security Council resolution 1325.
- Convening and coordinating the programme and activities of the working group on CRSV at the country level, and where relevant at the regional level, and enhancing coordination and coherence of the United Nations’ system-wide response to CRSV, including through close coordination with the Protection Cluster and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Sub-Cluster, as appropriate.
- Coordinating with CRSV experts in other UN entities, as well as those deployed by OSRSG-SVC including the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence established pursuant to resolution 1888.
- Collaborating, as appropriate, with the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) and with Human Rights Council-mandated mechanisms, to share information on incidents, patterns, trends and challenges in the prevention and response to CRSV.
- Coordinating the implementation of United Nations reporting obligations on CRSV, in close coordination with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the UNCT, including consultation of key institutional and civil society stakeholders in Ukraine.
- Providing the necessary support to the UNRCO, as well as the UNCT to strengthen coordination with civil society organizations, in particular women-led organizations, the donor community and regional organizations on issues related to the prevention and response to CRSV.
- Supporting and working in close coordination with the national institutions and structures established for the implementation of the aforementioned Framework of Cooperation, including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Commissioner of Gender and Inter-Ministerial Working Group on CRSV.
Support data collection and knowledge building
- Coordinating the elaboration of situational assessments and roll-out or early warning indicators on CRSV and facilitating country-level coordination on the prevention and response to CRSV;
- Leading the implementation of the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) working group on CRSV, created under resolution 1960, to produce timely and reliable information on incidents, patterns and trends of sexual violence in conflict-affected areas.
- Promote adherence to safe & ethical collection, management and sharing of data according to established protocols.
- Ensuring effective coordination and information sharing with the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on Grave Violations against children, mandated by UNSC Resolution 1612, to address synergies in mandates regarding rape and other forms of sexual violence against children and adolescents.
- Promoting regular and appropriate information exchange and greater coherence and coordination with United Nations entities, in support of national authorities, in delivering survivor-centred approaches to preventing and addressing CRSV;
- Ensuring regular and appropriate information exchange on CRSV developments, including with United Nations headquarters focal points;
- Performing other relevant duties, as required.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
- Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:
Business Direction and strategy – Strategic Thinking:
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritise plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and create tangible solutions.
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
Business Direction and strategy – Effective Decision Making: Ability to make decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
Business Management – Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Management – Partnerships 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 – Portfolio Management:
Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.
Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
Business Direction and Strategy – System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
2030 Agenda: People – Gender: Gender Issues and Analysis.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field is required. or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the fields of study listed above, in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of a master’s degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of ten (10) years (with master’s degree) or twelve (12) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience, is required, in human rights, protection of civilians, gender, humanitarian affairs, political affairs or a related area.
- At least three (3) years of experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting, is required.
- Experience supporting or facilitating multi-stakeholder policy and/or advocacy processes at multiple levels is desirable.
- Experience engaging with and advising senior UN officials is desirable.
- Experience engaging with and advising senior host Government officials is desirable.
- Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization, is required.
Language:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of Ukrainian is an asset.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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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