The Position:

The Gender-based Violence Adviser post is located in the Gender and Human Rights Branch of the Technical Division, UNFPA HQ, and is under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Gender and Human Rights Branch. S/he is the Adviser at the global level for integrated technical and programme advice on sexual and gender based violence, including Gender-Biased Sex Selection.

Against this background, under the 2018-2021 UNFPA Strategic Plan, UNFPA is renewing its commitment to zero Gender-based Violence (GBV) as the major health and human rights concern that it is, based on its mandate.

The European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls, and harmful practices, which will follow a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Spotlight Initiative aims to support transformative change on the ground to end violence against women and girls, in numerous countries globally.

Also the European Union (EU), Norway and UNFPA launched the first Global Programme to Prevent Son Preference and Undervaluing of Girls. UNFPA work to tackle son preference and gender-biased sex selection (GBSS) is focused on addressing the deeply-rooted gender discrimination against women and girls, which is the underlying factor that drives gender-biased sex selection.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Education:  

• Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, Social anthropology, law and women’s rights, sociology, gender, cultural studies, or equivalent and relevant areas is required. A post graduate. (Ph.D.) degree is an asset;

• Ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the substantive area, of which seven years at the international level; 

• Knowledge and understanding of the Human Rights-based approach is essential;

• Extensive experience in gender mainstreaming and programming for women’s development, is essential;

• Experience in culturally sensitive programming is essential;

• Experience in managing, advising and supporting a comprehensive response to GBV is essential;

• Experience in addressing gender and social equity issues in Reproductive health and Population issues is essential;

• Knowledge and experience of working in areas related to harmful practices is an asset;

• Demonstrated expertise in the substantive area of work and programme experience;

• Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;

• Strong verbal and written communications skills in English; 

• Demonstrated ability to network within the academic and development community;

• Demonstrated expertise in policy dialogue and high level advocacy is desirable;

• Familiarity with UN systems and procedures, management and monitoring tools is desirable;

• Field experience is strongly desirable.     

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is an asset.