Gender expert

Result of Service

The ultimate result of services is to ensure that the Central Asia DDT project is executed in line with Gender Equality (and Human Rights) policies of GEF, UNEP, BRS Conventions, National Delivery Partners and the approved project document.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

13 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Europe Office’s (ROE) main goal is to provide guidance to national governments at various levels, and to take part in the dialogue on environmental issues between governmental authorities, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders. Europe office is the Executing Agency (EA) for the project “Demonstration of non-thermal treatment of DDT wastes in Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan) (GEF ID 9421)” (Central Asia DDT). The EA ensures that all activities, including procurement of goods and services, are carried out in strict compliance with the rules and procedures of UNEP and GEF, and ensures coordination between the countries and consistent execution and reporting of national project activities. The overall objective of the project is to build national and regional capacity for the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of hazardous waste including Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan in line with the requirements of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions. The project is comprised of two Components: (1) Disposal and reduction of POPs and (2) Long term capacity building for improved hazardous waste management. According to the original design of the project planning, the project was aiming to dispose of at least 5,000 tons of DDT and associated POPs wastes from two main sites using disposal methods of Super Critical Water Oxidation (SCWO) (Plan A) or Co-processing in cement kilns (Plan B). The procurement of the SCWO technology was unsuccessful and although a project Feasibility Study found that co-processing to dispose of DDT waste could be a disposal option in the Kyrgyz Republic, both project countries officially confirmed that they were not convinced about the safety and practical applicability of co-processing. Thus it was decided to continue project implementation with Plan C – Containment of the waste in engineered landfills, the last possible disposal option that is in line with the technical guidelines of the Basel Convention. The project scope and budget are in the meantime revised to enable the implementation of Plan C. As containment is less expensive than the earlier considered high-tech disposal options the project is now aiming to dispose of at least 7,6 tons of DDT and associated waste. A series of capacity building activities have been implemented including support for updating the legal and regulatory framework for POPs waste management, licensing and permitting, awareness raising and knowledge management. The project is executed in line with a Gender Equality policy brief and a practical Gender Guidance document for a Gender Equality approach throughout the project cycle including reporting instructions for the registration of gender disaggregated data. The guidance documents were developed during the first phase of the project by the previous project Gender expert who could not continue his engagement because of a full time employment elsewhere. An international gender expert will be required for engagement with the project to further mainstream gender equality and protection of vulnerable groups. The role of the Gender Equality Specialist is to provide guidance to all project partners on how to make sure that the project is implemented in line with Gender policies of GEF, UNEP, the National Delivery Partners and the approved project document and project revision documents approved in July 2024. Because of the strong interconnection between Gender Equality and Human Rights issues, the Gender Equality Project Specialist is asked to also mention Human Rights issues as well in her/ his reports when deemed relevant. Key responsibilities and roles are outlined below: • Ensure that that the project is implemented in line with Gender Equality (and Human Rights) policies of GEF, UNEP, BRS Conventions, National Delivery Partners and the approved project document • Ensure that the project is implemented in line with the earlier developed Gender Equality policy brief, practical Guidance document and project instructions for the registration of gender disaggregated data • Provide face to face / video conference instructions and or training on how to use the developed guidance, when required • Implement the Project’s detailed Gender Action Plan and achieve the targets listed below in Table

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, or a related field is required. Additional professional training in Gender, equal opportunities and human rights would be an important asset. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5 years of working experience as a Gender, Equal Opportunities and Human Rights specialist is required Experience in the implementation of GEF and or environmental or health related programmes, projects and activities would be an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English, including good drafting/writing skills is required. Working knowledge of Russian, and or Tajik/ Kyrgyz languages is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.