Background
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The project “Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) in the Marshall Islands)” implemented by the Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands (GoRMI) in collaboration with UNDP became operational in January 2020 with the objective to address expected impacts of climate change on water security on Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI).
RMI is a small island developing state in the Pacific. The nation is a large-ocean state, with a total land area of only 182 km², spread across over 2 million km² of ocean. There are 24 inhabited atolls and islands, which are mostly remote and lie merely 2 m above sea level on average. There are no rivers, streams or lakes in RMI and the number of small surface ponds is very limited.
GoRMI, with the assistance of UNDP, has developed a project on adaptation to climate change impacts to water supply in RMI. The project is co-financed by GoRMI and Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project will build resilience to the impacts of climate change on water supply, particularly in 24 atolls and islands that are highly vulnerable to drought. The project will invest in improving water security, water resilience and water governance through:
- Water Security – Improving household and community rainwater harvesting and storage structures to increase resilience of water supply in 77 rural communities in the outer islands and atolls accounting for approximately 28% of RMI’s population, including 7,630 (49%) women, currently at risk.
- Water Resilience – Securing groundwater resources from contamination due to inundation caused by wave overtopping of seawater.
- Water Governance – Strengthening the technical capacities of national and subnational institutions and key stakeholders to integrated climate change risks into water governance processes so that management of climate change risks are coordinated, effective, participatory, equitable, and sustained over the long-term when risks are expected to worsen.
The project aligns with GoRMI’s key climate change policies and strategies and has been developed through extensive consultation with government, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and beneficiary communities. The proposed project is aligned with RMI’s NDC and country work programme to the GCF. The NDA has issued a letter of no-objection and the proposed project is aligned with the work programme of the AE (UNDP) selected by the NDA.
This GCF project will be executed by UNDP, in close partnership with the GoRMI, given UNDP’s extensive experience in implementing climate change adaptation projects globally. The project implementation will be led by a team based in Majuro, RMI and Suva, Fiji.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Gender and Youth Associate will play a crucial role in the integration of gender and youth concerns and ensure they are fully addressed by the project. This will involve collaborating closely with project staff and engaging with communities to ensure that Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Action Plan is effectively implemented. The Associate will implement the GESI Action Plan and seek guidance from the UNDP Pacific Office Gender Team, as well as from Regional Technical Associate (RTA) and Gender Experts at the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH). The Associate will also draw on best practices and examples from GESI strategies and action plans of other GCF-approved projects, aligning with relevant government policies such as the RMI National Water and Sanitation Policy and the RMI National Climate Change Policy Framework.
The Gender and Youth Associate will support the implementation of the GESI Strategy and Action Plan for the RMI ACWA project. Achieving the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) outcomes outlined in the Action Plan will be a collaborative effort, involving the entire project team and key stakeholder groups.
The main objectives of the Gender and Youth Associate role are to Review the GESI Action Plan under Annex J of the Project Document and Implement GESI Action Plan for the RMI ACWA project.
Key GESI implications identified in the GESI Action Plan that will need to be taken into consideration in the community level project design and implementation include:
- Ensure women, men and youth are equitably represented and actively involved in all Community-based Water Committees.
- Train women and youth from targeted communities in operations and maintenance (O&M) and construction skills of household and rainwater harvesting systems, groundwater wells etc.
- Ensure new Standard Operating Procedures for household and community water security measures are gender and age sensitive.
- Work with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to improve water testing capabilities at community level and ensure that women and youth are involved in this process.
- Ensure that drought warnings and other relevant weather information is conveyed in accessible formats to all community members so that everyone has access to information required for improved readiness.
- Facilitate Inter- Island knowledge exchange visits with women and youth sharing experience and best practice on climate change risk reduction on water resources.
The Gender and Youth Associate will support in implementing the GESI Strategy and Action Plan for the RMI ACWA project. It will be the joint responsibility of the entire project team and key stakeholder groups to ensure that the GESI quantitative and qualitative outcomes in the GESI Action Plan are achieved.
The Gender and Youth Associate will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and work closely with the Team Lead for the Resilience and Sustainable Development Team and the Project management Unit (PMU) as well as the key government counterparts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure that the community level project design and implementation take into consideration the GESI Strategy and GESI Action Plan.
Review the GESI Action Plan for ACWA Project
- Review available national laws and policy document(s) in RMI on gender and social inclusion.
- Review key project planning documents to inform suggestions on specific gender-implementation strategies and actions.
- Review the roles and responsibilities of project partners with regards to developing the GESI Action Plan.
Identify opportunities to address gender and youth related barriers.
- Consult with the GCF’s Gender Policy and Action Plan with Fiji MCO and FSM sub-office
- Consult with the GCF document on mainstreaming gender and social inclusion in GCF programmes;
- Conduct consultation meetings with the relevant public and private sectors, line ministries, women’s groups and NGOs, development partners and the local communities to improve gender equality and empowerment outcomes for the project.
Support in implementing the Gender Action Plan
- Coordinate with ACWA project PMU including Coordination & Engagement team and Technical team to operationalize Gender Action Plan along with GESI targeted indicators
- Monitoring and provide oversight Gender Action Plan in the field mission, such as delivery, installation missions but not limited to.
- Conduct community exchange visit and women and youth training activities in the 24 neighboring Atolls and Islands to empower women and youth
- Provide other related duties, backstopping other project coordination and engagement as necessary.
Support in Capacity building and knowledge management
- Provide in-house training for ACWA PMU and relevant stakeholders to strengthen the knowledge and skills to mainstream gender lens into the project activities.
Monitor the progress of targeted GESI indicators
- In coordination with Monitoring & Reporting Associate, and Communications Specialist, monitor the progress against targeted GESI indicators and Project results Framework indicators related to gender.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
2030 Agenda- People
- Gender: Gender Mainstreaming
Business Direction & Strategy
- System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
- Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
- Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Development
- Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.
2030 Agenda: Planet
- Nature, Climate and Energy: Water Governance: Integrated Water Resources Management; Climate Change Adaptation: Water Management.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education is required. Or
- University Degree in Development, Gender, Rural Development, Climate Change Adaptation, or related fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in community development, women and youth engagement, or conducting gender analysis and developing gender strategies in the climate change adaptation sector is required.
- Computer knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point.
- Demonstrated expertise in gender issues in the climate change adaptation sector.
- Demonstrated experience on working with stakeholders in the government as well as development partners on gender issues.
- Proven experience of conducting similar nature of assignment in the past preferably for UN organizations.
- Experience in working with different cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders who are culturally and gender sensitive.
- Experience on working in the Pacific or sub-tropical environment – ideally in an atoll island environment.
Required Languages:
- Fluency in English & Marshallese, both spoken and written, is required.
Disclaimer
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UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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