Back Lead Targeting and Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist

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The overall objective of Göksu Taşeli Watershed Development Project (GTWDP), is to reduce rural poverty by supporting economic diversification through value chain development and sustainable natural resource management. 

The Project targets to increase farmers’ income from improved agricultural production and marketing activities in the targeted area with strengthened resilience to climate shocks. The Project would also contribute to improving the standards of living of the nomadic Yörük tribes in the highlands of the Taurus Mountains, through capacity building that would assist them to organize for improved management of the common natural resources. The project outcomes would include:

i)          sustainably increased farm productivity;

ii)         higher product prices received by smallholder producers.

The GTWDP would be implemented in selected villages of 11 districts of Konya and Karaman provinces of Central Anatolia. These districts are located in the Göksu sub-catchment, one of the four in the East Mediterranean Watershed. The Project area includes 238 villages that are situated in the mountainous parts of the 11 districts where the elevation varies between 600 m and 1 800 m. Each component would focus on elements of the identified value chains (VCs).

The GTWDP would include three components namely:

i)          Agricultural Productivity and Natural Resource Management;

ii)         Market Access Enhancement; and

iii)        Project Management

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF) has the overall responsibility for the management and the implementation of GTWDP. UNDP’s role is to support the project in dealing with flow of funds arrangement, recruitment of project staff, contracting of technical assistance, accounting, auditing and ensuring procurement of goods, civil works and services. The Project is co-funded and hence will be monitored, supervised and approved by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (Financier).

Objectives of the Assignment

Under the supervision of LED Projects Coordinator and MoAF Surveys and Projects Department (SPD) of General Directorate of Agrarian Reform, the Lead Targeting Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist will stand as the Gender and Youth focal point, performing activities in project implementation, M&E and knowledge, communication, advocacy and network, to mainstream social inclusion. and preparing necessary plans, reports, as requested.

The Targeting Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist is responsible for implementing project activities in a timely manner according to the project plans, relevant project documents/mission reports and UNDP´s program procedures and delivering high-quality outputs in a variety of project implementation processes. 

The Targeting Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist works in close collaboration with the LED Projects Coordinator to ensure smooth and timely management of inputs as well as other Project staff and Portfolio Manager to coordinate activities and seek synergies.

The Targeting Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist is expected to assume the following tasks:

Measurable Outputs

Key Results Expected/Major Functional Activities

• Advising and supporting the Targeting & Gender Specialist at the provincial level, in the effective gender mainstreaming of targeting, gender, and social inclusion in project activities
• Developing project based and annual full targeting and gender strategy and action plan
• Preparing weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly full targeting, gender and social inclusion monitoring reports
• Working with each specialist in the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) in critically reviewing project design to see how each component or subcomponent address gender issues, and identify opportunities for strengthening implementation from a gender perspective
• Supervising project implementation processes and provide feedback and suggestions on how to enhance project outcomes with respect to targeting, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and social inclusion and preparing relevant plans and reports as requested.
• Participating in the development of detailed ToRs and tender documents of national and local service providers to various project components to ensure that target groups will be able to participate effectively in all components and meet the project’s targets from gender perspective

• Based on the input of the targeting and gender specialist, developing and ensuring development of a dissemination strategy of knowledge management products

• Liaising with the IFAD Country Office, the IFAD Gender Team and the UNDP Gender Team on questions regarding gender mainstreaming in implementation, knowledge sharing and other aspects
• Serving as channel of communication between the project and others working on gender issues in government, implementing agencies, other development projects and IFAD

• Being familiar with targeting and gender policies of the institutions linked to the project, including national policies and those of ministries, implementing institutions and financing agencies, including IFAD
• Establishing linkages with other gender, women’s or social inclusion programmes implemented nationwide by national, international and intergovernmental agencies
• Documenting evidence-based information on pro poor approaches and targeting, as well good practices in gender equality and women’s empowerment

Reporting Structure

The Targeting Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist reports to the LED Projects Coordinator.

Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results (Expected Outputs)

• At least 85% of physical and financial delivery of the Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPB) in areas of responsibility
• Gender strategy and plan of actions are prepared and implemented.
• Weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly full targeting, gender and social inclusion monitoring reports are prepared,
• The pro-poor approach of the project and related sector policies are reviewed to enhance access of the most vulnerable to project opportunities
• Gender sensitivity of materials developed by the project is ensured
• Other related tasks assigned by MoAF 

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people without favoritism.
• Avoids any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that

- Human rights and gender equality are prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions

- Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”

- Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender is respected within all implementations including data production

- Differentiated needs of women and men are considered

- Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created

- Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

Functional Competencies:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Excellent interpersonal skills: encouraging colleagues to work within and respect an enabling gender equality environment on non-hierarchical bases
• Promotes gender sensitive environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Ability to manage gender barriers and gender-blind behaviors within the project team and with our partners
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities 
• Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic with sound judgment
• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations 
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills
• Ability to function at both policy advisory and project implementation levels
• Ability to consider that men and women are affected differently from different interventions and needs to be approached differently.

Minimum Requirements

Assets

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Rural Development or related disciplines

• Master’s degree in relevant field is an asset

Experience

• At least 8 years of working experience in gender and social inclusion issues

• Attendance to targeting, gender, social inclusion policy development trainings is an asset
• Experience in agriculture and rural development projects is an asset

Language Requirements

• Excellent knowledge of English and Turkish.

Professionalism

• Highly motivated and committed to poverty alleviation and gender equality

Computer Skills

• Literacy at Microsoft Office Programs

Nationality

• Turkish

Notes:

(i) Internships (paid/unpaid) are not considered professional experience.

(ii) Obligatory military service is not considered professional experience.

(iii) Experience gained prior to completion of undergraduate studies is not considered professional experience.

Other considerations:

Interested individuals shall provide a letter of motivation as a part of their online application focusing on the applicant’s skills and capabilities against the required qualifications (in English).

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 6 months (possibility of renewal based on the satisfactory performance and availability of funding)