Job Description
RLA-173-07-P-128 (Revised July 2009)
1. General Information
Title:
Duration:
Date required:
Duty Station/Sector:
Associate Expert in Gender, Governance and Women’s
Political Participation
1 year (with possible extension for another year)
1 September 2009
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
United Nations International Research and Training Institute for
the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW)
2. Supervision
Direct supervision by:
Title of the supervisor
Content and methodology
of the supervision:
TBD (post currently vacant, expected to be filled by 1 August
2009)
UN-INSTRAW Social Affairs Officer
The incumbent will present periodic reports to the supervisors on
the activities undertaken. In addition, periodic meetings will be
held with the supervisors in order to assess progress and
performance.
3. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations
The candidate shall assist and actively participate in the implementation of UN-INSTRAW’s
innovative research programme on “Governance and Women’s Political Participation at the
Local Level” as envisioned in its Strategic Plan 2008-2011. Tasks will include: (a) identifying
regional research priorities for governments, civil society and other key stakeholders; (b)
developing project profiles and project documents on new and emerging priority issues in
partnership with stakeholders; (c) analyzing background research studies and related information
on selected topics in order to identify gender gaps for future applied research activities; (d)
carrying out preliminary background research on governance and women’s political
participation; (e) assisting in the preparation of UN-INSTRAW research studies and papers; (f)
identifying other countries/regions and partners for replicating UN-INSTRAW research
programmes and projects; (g) assisting in the development of targeted and practical mechanisms
such as on-the-job coaching/training for integrating a gender perspective into selected topics
based on lessons learned and best practices; (h) assisting Management in maintaining contacts
with representatives of governments, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and
the private sector with a view to establishing collaborative arrangements; and (i) assisting in the
preparation of new information and materials to be included in the section on governance and
women’s political participation of the Institute’s website which receives over 2 million hits per
month.
4. Qualifications and experience
Education:
Work experience:
Languages:
Other skills:
UN Competencies:
Advanced university degree or equivalent in political science, gender
studies, or other related fields;
2-3 years of demonstrable work experience in issues related to women’s
political participation and governance from a gender perspective,
preferably at the conceptual/analytical level, would be an asset;
Superior writing and editing skills in English and Spanish are required,
proficiency in French preferable but not essential;
Superior conceptual and analytical capacity is essential. Good knowledge
of the process of developing project proposals and related documentation
would be a strong asset. Familiarity with modern software applications
and operations.
The successful candidates will possess the following competencies:
Professionalism - Ability to manage research processes, maintain accurate
records, interpret/analyze a wide variety of data, and present research
summaries as required. Planning and Organizing – Demonstrates effective
organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely
manner. Teamwork – Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for
diversity. Communication – Ability to write in a clear and concise manner
and to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
5. Learning elements
After the one-year assignment, the Associate Expert will: (i) have a greater knowledge of the
gender dimensions of governance and women’s political participation; (ii) have acquired
experience in collaborative research arrangements between various sectors of stakeholders; (iii)
have acquired more ‘on-the-ground’ experience by working in a research institute located in the
developing world; (iv) be able to prepare project proposals for gender research; (v) have greater
knowledge of gender research methods and methodology; and (vi) have gained experience in
working effectively as part of a team and within a multicultural environment.
6. Background information
In 1975, the First World Conference of Women recommended the creation of a research and
training institute dedicated to the advancement of women. The following year (1976), the United
Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) created the United Nations International
Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW). In 1979, the
Council recommended that UN-INSTRAW be located in a developing country and in 1983, UNINSTRAW’s headquarters were officially opened in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Since its inception UN-INSTRAW, in collaboration with governments, civil society and the
United Nations System, has carried out research and training activities on different topics at the
national, regional and international levels. Specifically, the Institute highlights the gender
perspective as an essential element in the analysis and implementation of programmes and
projects aimed at achieving peace, sustainable development and good governance.
Among its many research activities over the years, UN-INSTRAW has developed conceptual
frameworks and methodologies for measuring and valuing women’s household production and
including such contributions into the system of national accounts, for tracking women’s
migration and the gender dimensions of remittances, for looking at women’s access to credit and
water in Africa, Asia and Latin America; and for monitoring governance and women’s political
participation at local, national, regional and international levels. Many of the studies conducted
by UN-INSTRAW have highlighted the gendered effects of globalization in processes such as
migration, the impact of structural adjustment policies on women’s access to work, health and
education, and violence against women as an obstacle to development and the achievement of
international commitments such as the MDGs. UN-INSTRAW’s work has also focused on
human rights, gender-based violence and the role of women in conflict-resolution and peace
processes through different research and training projects.
UN-INSTRAW’s training programmes have highlighted gender dimensions and women’s
participation in the collection and analysis of data and statistics, the use of new information and
communications technologies (ICTs), environmental management including water supply and
sanitation and new and renewable sources of energy, gender-sensitivity and the portrayal of
women in the media, women’s political participation and governance at the local level, violence
against women, and women, peace and security, including the full implementation of UN
Security Council Resolution 1325.
In
December
2003,
UNApplied Research
INSTRAW initiated a process of
Undertake action-oriented research
revitalization and strengthening
that leads to gender-responsive
policies, programmes and projects
designed to focus the Institute’s
at all levels
work on certain key areas and reestablish its position as a
recognized and respected body
within the fields of research and
Capacity-Building
Knowledge Management
Strengthen stakeholder
Foster exchange of relevant
training on women’s and gender
capacity to address and
knowledge and information to
issues, and as a central component
effectively integrate gender
increase understanding and
of the United Nations’ gender
issues in all policies,
support decision-making and
programmes and projects
actions on gender and women’s
equality architecture. This process
issues
was guided by the Institute’s
Strategic Framework 2004-2007,
which sets out the vision, mission and guiding principles of UN-INSTRAW. In 2004 the
Institute’s newly-constituted Executive Board charged the Director of UN-INSTRAW with the
active pursuit of funding from external partners to implement projects and revitalize the Institute
within the framework of the United Nations reform process and in order to make it a sustainable,
sound and innovative organization that applies good governance.
UN-INSTRAW’s Strategic Frameworks emphasize the importance of articulating research,
knowledge management and capacity-building in a continuous cycle of analysis, learning and
action, so that research results feed into the distribution of information and the design of training
and capacity-building programmes, as well as the formulation of policy. Through its applied
research programmes, the Institute aims to make policies and programmes gender-responsive on
the basis of concrete research results, the application of lessons learned, and the replication of
best practices. This approach allows for flexibility in responding to both existing challenges and
new and emerging issues.
In terms of core staff, UN-INSTRAW currently has 4 Professional-level posts (Director, Social
Affairs Officer, Information Officer and Administrative Officer), 3 Project-level posts, as well as
5 General Service-level posts. In addition, the Institute works with a fluctuating number of
consultants, contractors volunteers and interns. The average number of total personnel in the
Institute is 25 (please see attached organizational chart)
I. Goal and Objectives
UN-INSTRAW is the only United Nations entity mandated to develop research and training
programmes that contribute to the empowerment of women and the achievement of gender
equality worldwide.
Through alliance building with UN Member States, international organizations, academia, civil
society, the private sector and other actors, UN-INSTRAW:
- Undertakes action-oriented research from a gender perspective that has a concrete impact
on policies, programmes and projects;
- Creates synergies for knowledge management and information exchange; and
- Strengthens the capacities of key stakeholders to integrate gender perspectives in policies,
programmes and projects.
II. Structure
UN-INSTRAW is governed by an Executive Board composed of ten Member States. These
Member States are elected by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United
Nations for a three-year term. They can be reelected for one further term. The Director of the
Institute, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, a representative of the
Host Country, Dominican Republic, and a representative of each of the regional commissions of
the ECOSOC serve as ex-officio members of the Board.
The Executive Board meets at least once a year at the Headquarters of the United Nations in
New York in order to:
- Formulate principles, policies and guidelines for the work of the Institute;
- Consider and approve the work programme and budget of the Institute based on
recommendations submitted to it by the Director;
-
Make recommendations as appropriate on the operations of the Institute;
Consider methods for enhancing the financial resources of the Institute with a view to
ensuring the effectiveness of its future operations; and
Report periodically to ECOSOC and, when appropriate, to the General Assembly.
Two governmental representatives from each of the five regional groups of the United Nations
are elected by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). During ECOSOC sessions held on
10 May 2006, 30 July 2006, 15 December 2006, and 6 February 2007, and 25 April 2007, the
following Member States were elected for terms beginning on 1 January 2007 and expiring on 31
December 2009:
- Belarus
- Honduras
- Spain
- Egypt
- Israel
- Syria
- Grenada
- Philippines
- Zimbabwe
- Slovakia
The UN-INSTRAW Executive Board from 2004 to 2006 included the following Member States:
- Burkina Faso
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Nigeria
- Czech Republic
- Italy
- Philippines
- El Salvador
- Mexico
- Romania
- Spain
Please also see the UN-INSTRAW Organizational Chart in attachment
III. Activities, Network and Affiliation
In all of its work UN-INSTRAW promotes an interactive dialogue between civil society,
governments and international organizations through the creation of networks and the continual
dissemination of gender-related information. The Institute has created networks, working groups
and other associations of practitioners and stakeholders on various issues, including gender and
security sector reform, ending violence against women, women’s political participation, gender
and remittances and other issues.
In each of its programmatic areas, UN-INSTRAW has entered into collaborative partnerships
with government, academic, civil society and other international organizations. UN-INSTRAW’s
partnerships with other organizations aim to:
- Strengthen relationships with focal points/national gender machineries at the national level;
- Strengthen existing networks in thematic areas such as the Gender and Security Sector
Reform Network or the Global Database of Gender, Peace and Security Research
Institutions; and
- Build Strategic Partnerships for the implementation of joint projects and programmes of
work.
Governance and Women’s Political Participation programme
Under this programme, UN-INSTRAW analyzes the interrelationship between gender,
governance and women’s political participation. The Institute considers that integrating a gender
perspective into governance and the current decentralization processes is fundamental for
obtaining an equitable and inclusive human sustainable development. At the same time, it is
necessary to have a greater and transformative presence of women in decision-making positions
along with a strong women’s and feminist movement that favour the recognition of women’s
rights, their empowerment and the exercise of their full citizenship.
UN-INSTRAW has pioneered research in this area through a three-year project project entitled
“Strengthening Governance with a Gender Focus and the Participation of Women at the Local
Level” [Fortalecimiento de la Gobernabilidad con Enfoque de Género y la Participación de las
Mujeres en el Ambito Local]. The project includes a special emphasis on indigenous populations
and as a result focuses on countries in Central America and the Andean region in addition to
Mexico.
This project entails a series of diagnostic studies analyzing the current situation of women’s
political participation at the local level in the project countries in addition to a series of more indepth research studies on selected topics. These topics include: women’s political participation at
the local level in Latin America, the new local gender machinery in Latin America, and the
participation of indigenous women in governance processes and in local government.
Through project activities, UN-INSTRAW promotes the development of national agendas in
each project country. The research and diagnostic studies are to be shared and discussed with all
stakeholders (municipal women’s networks, local machinery for women, political parties, etc.) in
each of the project countries as inputs towards the development of the agenda and the
determination of capacity building needs.
The Institute is also launching a project on Women’s Political Participation and Leadership in the
Maghreb Region (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), which aims to build on some of the progress
and lessons learned of the Latin America project. This project aims to build a knowledge base
and exchange of experiences on good practices and lessons learned; strengthen national
knowledge and capacity through the identification and strengthening of adequate mechanisms,
the elaboration and implementation of a training package addressing the needs of the national
institutions and organizations, and the formation or strengthening of support networks, utilizing
ICTs; and promote and facilitate the formulation of public policies to improve governance with a
gender perspective and women’s political participation and leadership at the local level.
Living Conditions
Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic, located on the island of
Hispaniola, which is part of the larger Antilles. There are no marked changes between seasons,
and due to the warm weather prevailing throughout the year, light cotton clothing is
recommended. However, light sweaters may be necessary during December and January.
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic and its national currency is the
Dominican Peso which at the present time has an official exchange rate of RD$32.50 per US
dollar (as at 1 September 2006). Local banking services are reliable and offer services for
international operations.
International airlines (such as Air France, Iberia, Continental, American Airlines, etc.) fly to the
Dominican Republic, which has five international airports. Public transportation services in
Santo Domingo are available through private vehicles and taxis.
An unfurnished bedroom apartment in the city may cost approximately US$600.00 per month.
The electric power is 110 volts, 60 cycles. There are medical centers in the capital as well as in
other larger cities of the Republic.
Communications systems with the rest of the world are excellent, with telephone, internet, fax
and cable services easily available. In addition to the national postal service, private courier
services (FEDEX, DHL, BICPAC, etc) are also available.
When shipping personal effects and working materials to the Dominican Republic, shipper must
ensure adequate packing and crating. Once the items have arrived in Santo Domingo, 20 working
days must be allowed for custom clearance.
UN-INSTRAW Organizational Chart
EXECUTIVE Board
Assistant to the
Direction
Director
Research &
Capacity-building
Programme
Social Affairs Officer
Coordinates: i) Governance and Women’s
Political Participation; ii) Gender, Migration
and Development Programmes (including
supervision of project staff, consultants,
contractors, volunteers and interns
Global Care
Chains Project
Officer
Political Part.
Project
Coordinator
Gender and
Migration
Programme
Advisor
Political Part.
Project Advisor
Gender and
Migration
Programme
Assistant
Political Part.
Project Advisor
Knowledge
Management
Programme
Administration
Information Officer
Coordinates: i) Gender, Peace and Security;
and ii) Knowledge Management Programmes
(including supervision of project staff,
consultants, contractors, volunteers and
interns
Gender, Peace
and Security
Programme
Officer
Gender Training
CoP Advisor
Communications
Assistant
Graphic
designer
Webmaster
CapacityBuilding Advisor
Reporting
Assistant
Information
Assistant
Administrative Officer
Finance
Assistant
IT/LAN
Assistant
Admin
Assistant
Admin
Assistant
Maintenance
Driver