Vacancy announcement
Home-based with possible travel to Cyprus
CS/2021/036

Consultant - Strategic Planning & Gender - Expert (senior) level

Vacancy type Consultant/Individual Contractor
Deadline for submission of applications
31 January 2022
Organizational Unit
Strategic Implementation of Agenda 2030 Unit (SIA 2030)
Remuneration
To be defined in accordance with competences and experience of the candidate (payment for the finished product) based on estimated 23 working days.
Number of job positions
1
Project title:

Implementation and mainstreaming of the SDGs in the national policy framework

Area of Specialization/Thematic Areas:

Strategic planning and gender

Overview (quick description of the funded project and its context):

The Strategic Implementation of the 2030 Agenda Unit is part of UNITAR’s Division for Satellite Analysis and Applied Research. The Unit is supporting the holistic and evidence-based implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs through training, learning, advisory services and multi-stakeholder engagement.

As part of a project funded by the European Union, UNITAR is providing support to the Government of Cyprus in mainstreaming the SDGs through its national planning and monitoring processes and governance. Outcome 1 of the project focuses specifically on strengthening governance and coordination and developing a robust strategic framework for the implementation of the SDGs overall and at sector levels with a roadmap for incorporating social and environmental sustainability issues in the development of the new long term sustainable growth strategy. Outcome 2 will support the design of an effective monitoring framework and coordination mechanism for guiding the implementation of SDGs in a transparent and accountable manner.

3 national multi-stakeholder workshops will be held to produce the expected outputs, including two first workshops under Outcome 1 dedicated to the development of the national SDG implementation strategy/ action plan (tentative timeline is October 2021 to February 2022) and the third workshop under Outcome 2 on the monitoring mechanism and framework (March -May 2022).

Outcome 3 and 4 of the project that will aim to strengthen capacities of civil servants and raise awareness around the SDGs of various stakeholders respectively are not part of this consultancy and will be implemented later in the project.

General objectives of the contract:

Under the supervision of the Senior Specialist, Strategic Implementation of the 2030 Agenda Unit, acting as the Project Coordinator for this project, the consultant will be involved in supporting the implementation of core activities under Outcomes 1 and 2 of the project with a focus on gender. The work will be done in close collaboration with 1 statistics/data expert consultant and other experts on governance and thematic consultants who will provide inputs on other cross-cutting thematic areas such as green economy & environment issues and social inclusion.

Responsibilities/description of professional services:

The consultant will more specifically be responsible for:

  1. Familiarizing with the national conext based on previous work already undertaken for Workshop 1 and analysis on gender related country performance and a few key documents, mapping key gender policies and proposing new policy initiatives to be included in the national SDG Action Plan;
  2. Developing further gender related components of the SDG Action Plan such as guidance, outcomes, measures, actions, responsibilities, timelines and budget availability/requirement, developing recommendations for reflecting gender better in other parts of the SDG Action Plan, Long-term Strategy for the sustainbale growth of the Cypriote economy and long term sector growth strategies, and contributing to the preparation of Workshop 2 with a presentation of the updated SDG Action Plan components relevant for gender;
  3. Jointly with statistics expert and with guidance from national authorities, adding missing baselines for a limited number of new indicators and setting the targets for all gender indicators at different levels, contributing to the preparation of Workshop 3 and presenting gender relevant components of the indicator framework and making additional recommendations for the monitoring coordination mechanism as may be relevant from the gender perspective.
Measurable outputs/deliverables/schedule of deliverables:
  1. Mapping/identification of key gender policies and policy gaps, and development of policy initiatives to address these gaps by providing the following inputs to draft national SDG Action plan: outcomes, measures and actions (as main thematic lead), responsiblties, timelines, and budget requirement;
  2. Revision of the gender-related parts of the SDG Action Plan and proposal for preliminary indicators, incl. sex-disaggregated indicators and feedback on integrating gender in other outcomes, measures, actions, preliminary indicators, incl. sex disaggregation requirements, timelines and guidance to reflect the gender perspective;
  3. Recommendations on mainstreaming gender dimension in long-term strategy and sector-specific level guidance (as main thematic lead).
  4. Contributed ot the design and delivery of the relevant part of the Workshop 2;
  5. Updated gender relevant indicators, incl. sex-disaggregation requirements, adding missing baselines for the SDG Strategy/Action Plan, and adding targets for all gender related indicators (this work will be done jointly by the consultant as policy lead and by statistics expert on methodology, data source, etc. who will ensure techncail review and with guidance from relevant Government agency)
  6. Contributed to the facilitation of relevant parts of Workshop 3 from the gender perspective;
  7. Updating the gender part of the monitoring framework and providing gender recommendations for the monitoring mechansism led by the statistcis expert as relevant.
Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:
  • Analysis and assessments are thorough and context-sensitive;
  • Gender inputs to the draft national SDG action plan do/are:
    • draw on stakeholders’ views and inputs,
    • aligned with SDGs and 6 EU headline objectives and national strategic planning work on gender, green economy, digital transition, etc.
    • identify high-impact policy actions with cross-cutting effects across SDGs,
    • conducive to policy coherence and account for various dimensions - social, environmental, economic - and all SDGs in an integrated manner,
    • identify responsibilities and timelines,
    • include specific sector-level guidance,
    • include preliminary results framework,
    • include recommendations for reflecting environmental and social dimensions in long-term growth and sector growth strategies
  • Content reflects most-up-to-date information and practice;
  • Feedback from the supervisor and the country properly reflected;
  • Policy areas recommended for action are high impact and conducive to policy coherence;
  • Methodologies are inclusive and emphasize the importance of participation;
  • Analysis of policy scenarios is evidence based;
  • Indicators, baseline and targets and timelines are relevant, sound, show the right level of ambition and enjoy national ownership;
  • Impact level indicators draw on the EU SDG indicator set and include other policy relevant indicators;
  • Timeliness of deliverables.
Reporting structure (name of direct supervisor):

The consultant will report to the Senior Specialist, Strategic Implementation of the 2030 Agenda Unit, who will review all outputs and request or make changes she may deem necessary in her capacity as the Project Coordinator.

Competencies:
  • Professionalism:  Expert level knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches related to policy design, analysis, strategic planning, monitoring and indicators/disaggregation requirements relevant for gender and women empowerment with an excellent knowledge of EU processes at country level. Ability to identify issues, high impact actions and recommend solutions and approaches. Ability to listen and understand the perspectives of various stakeholders and help them through in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods, develop idnicators, and set targets. Exercises discretion as required and is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
  • Planning & Organizing:  Based on the supervision received from the supervisor, plans work in a manner consistent with the goals and timeline of the project; allocates appropriate amount of time for completing work; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
  • Accountability: Acts in full consultation and in compliance with instructions from the supervisor and takes responsibility for agreed assignments; is accountable and trustworthy; honors commitments by delivering outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; and takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and shares successes with the team where applicable.
  • Teamwork:  Works collaboratively with colleagues (the team and other experts) to achieve organizational goals; is able to coordinate effectively with other experts and team members by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise and providing relevant inputs in tasks where others lead; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; very good inter-personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, and proven ability to function in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnical environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of technology development in the area related to online meetings, surveys, communications; data processing, analysis, and presentation of strategic documents and result frameworks.
  • Communication:  Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Minimum requirements

Minimum 15 years of work experience in gender and women empowerment issues and national strategic planning processes and governance issues, including extensive and recent experience with EU countries as a must. All other factors being equal, the knowledge of the Cyprus context on digital transition would be considered an advantage.

Languages:  Fluency in written and oral English is required.

How to apply

Please submit your application along with a motivation letter as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.