Consultant: Gender Expert – Technical Assessment
Division of Human Resources and Gender and Rights Section
Terms of Reference
Duration
:
Up to 40 days’ effort over 5-month period
Duty Station
:
Home Based
Supervisor
:
Human Resources Manager, Gender
This consultancy is to support the technical review of applicants to two different recruitment processes
that UNICEF is undertaking for senior level positions on gender. This includes the Gender Batch
Recruitment for 7 Regional Gender Advisors and the Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) for
UNICEF's Gender Talent Group at the P-4 and P-5 levels.
Short-listed candidates to both processes will go through an extensive selection process that the
consultant will support through his/her engagement in the technical review and assessment of the
candidates. Successful candidates in the batch recruitment process will be offered a Regional Gender
Advisor role in a respective region: the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); Latin America and
Caribbean (LACR), Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAR), West and Central Africa (WCAR), East Asia
and Pacific (EAPR), South Asia (ROSA), Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of
Independent States (CEE/CIS). 2nd and 3rd recommended candidates from this process will be placed in
the Gender Talent Group at the P-5 level.
A Talent Group is an exclusive roster of experts from which UNICEF offices can quickly select qualified
pre-assessed, top-level candidates whenever a post becomes available. Successful candidates to the P-4
and P-5 GVA will be placed in the corresponding Talent Group for a period of 2 years.
PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:
The consultant will work closely with Division of Human Resources (DHR) and the Gender and
Rights section in Programme Division on both the batch recruitment process for the 7 Regional Gender
Advisor positions and the P-4/P-5 Talent Group recruitment process.
The consultant will undertake the following tasks for the Regional Gender Advisor batch
recruitment process:
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Develop criteria/questionnaire to aid in the review of candidate profiles and to facilitate
completing a mapping of skills/competencies of candidates
Review and evaluate DHR shortlisted candidates’ profiles to determine their suitability for
Regional Gender Advisor positions
Prepare a technical phone screening assessment and scoring rubric
In collaboration with UNICEF gender experts, conduct technical phone screening of shortlisted
candidates
Finalize overall report of shortlisted candidates’ performances.
Finalize 7 separate shortlists for each Regional Advisor position, based upon candidate
preference and technical assessment preference in coordination with DHR colleagues
Prepare a list of questions for competency based interviews to be used by all regions for
consistency
Prepare a brief assessment on each candidate, summarizing area of strengths and weakness and
skill/competency profile, and provide written feedback on how staff member can develop their
skills
Prepare a short report on lessons learned from the process, with recommendations on how to
improve the process
The consultant will undertake the following tasks for the P-4 and P-5 GVA recruitment process:
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Develop criteria/questionnaire to aid in the review of candidate profiles and to facilitate
completing a mapping of skills/competencies of candidates
Review and evaluate DHR shortlisted candidates’ profiles to determine their suitability for
potential P-4 and P-5 Gender roles at UNICEF
Prepare a technical assessment and scoring rubric to be used for this recruitment process
Conduct technical assessment of shortlisted candidates in collaboration with UNICEF gender
experts
Prepare a list of questions for competency based interviews to be used
Sit on Competency-Based Interview (CBI) panels as the Gender Technical Expert
Prepare a brief assessment on each candidate, summarizing area of strengths and weakness and
skill/competency profile, and provide written feedback on how staff member can develop their
skills
Review the technical assessment together with the Section team for final vetting and inclusion
in the talent pool
Prepare a short report on lessons learned from this Talent Group process, with
recommendations on how to improve the process
QUALIFICATIONS
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Advanced university degree in the social sciences, public health, or public policy
Over 15 years of relevant work experience in diverse areas of work on Gender and
Development
Preference for candidates with multi-sectoral areas of expertise on gender
Background in both gender programming and research
Previous experience in managing a gender portfolio of work, and especially in recruiting
appropriate technical staff
Demonstrated ability to understand and appreciate the approach to enhanced technical capacity
and expertise on gender as expressed in UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan.
Ability to conduct technical assessments on candidates for UNICEF’s assignments;
Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and
effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
Fluency in English. Another UN language is an asset.
Location
Home-based
Applications:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P-11 form, (which can be
downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to
rnoeva@unicef.org with subject line “Application Gender Expert – Technical Assessment” by 6
November 2014, 5:00pm EST. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to
undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not
be considered.