Nature and Gender Specialist (Home Based)

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder including public-private, government and civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the GPN in the BPPS, UNDP's Nature, Climate, Energy, Waste and Chemicals Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

BPPS’ Hubs On Nature, Climate, Energy, Waste And Chemicals Work With Governments, Civil Society, And Private Sector Partners To Integrate Nature, Climate, Energy And Waste Related Concerns Into National And Sector Planning And Inclusive Growth Policies, Support Country Obligations Under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, And Oversee The Implementation Of The UN’s Largest Portfolio Of In-country Programming Nature, Climate Change, Energy And Waste. This Multi-billion-dollar Portfolio Encompasses

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests;
• Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems;
• Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS;
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation including Nature-based Solutions for Adaptation
• Climate Mitigation
• Sustainable Energy;
• Extractive Industries;
• Chemicals and Waste Management;
• Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy; and SCP approaches.

This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

UNDP recognizes healthy biodiversity and ecosystem services, including soil fertility and water provisioning, as the foundation of human well-being and sustainable development. It sees nature-based solutions as essential solutions for tackling multiple developmental challenges, be they land degradation and desertification, climate crisis, inequality and poverty, insecurity and migration. The Nature Hub within BPPS coordinates the newly launched UNDP Nature Pledge aiming to embed nature in UNDP’s development thinking and practices and bring the whole of UNDP approach to tackling the planetary crisis.

This flagship commitment will empower more than 140 countries to translate their ambitious targets under the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into tangible actions.

The Nature Pledge aims to drive three interconnected shifts essential for countries to address the key components of global systems: economic, financial, social, and political. This is because the root causes of nature loss are traced to unsustainable production and consumption patterns, corruption in the management of natural resources, and the failure to account for nature in economic and financial calculations that prioritize short-term profit over sustainability.

• The Global Value Shift seeks to alter narratives and behaviors, emphasizing the centrality of nature across various sectors, including governance, economics, finance, health, and conservation. It aims to dispel outdated beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate false trade-offs between people and nature or between development and the environment. Instead, it promotes regenerative and sustainable growth, offering opportunities, security, and peace for people while safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems.
• The Economic and Finance Shift aims to ensure that natural capital is valued on par with financial and human-made capital by decision-makers and shift flows of finance from nature negative to nature positive at a global scale. This shift encourages a transition from a nature-negative to a nature-positive economy. Initiatives like the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures are incentivizing the private sector to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework and shift toward nature-positive practices.
• The Policy and Practice Shift strives for large-scale change on the ground, led by countries, grounded in local communities, and informed by Indigenous knowledge. Improved policy and legal framework, natural resource governance, area management through gender responsive approaches are supported. UNDP's support through initiatives like the Biodiversity Finance Initiative and its extensive Vertical Fund portfolio already embodies this approach.

Crucially, implementing the Nature Pledge necessitates a change in mindset within UNDP.

To implement our Nature Pledge, a comprehensive UNDP approach is required, akin to what we have undertaken with our Climate Promise. These twin initiatives mutually reinforce each other, recognizing that the achievement of climate goals and the SDGs hinges on the preservation of nature and the inclusion of all key actors in devising and implementing solutions. The newly agreed Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework underscores these connections in the landmark Target 23, which urges governments to ensure gender equality and adopt a gender-responsive approach in biodiversity action. While gender inequality persists around the world, UNDP works to accelerate progress for women’s empowerment and gender equality by helping countries shift power structures and the economic, social and political systems that perpetuate gender-based discrimination, bias and disempowerment. UNDP’s Nature Pledge opens historic opportunities to help countries put nature at the heart of sustainable development, including to close gender gaps and promote women’s environmental leadership in at least 100 countries. Aligned to its Gender Equality Strategy, UNDP aims to deepen investment, bridge knowledge gaps, steer innovation and new narratives, and help boost the enabling conditions for Nature for Gender Equality.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Nature and Gender Specialist will play a pivotal role in supporting implementation of UNDP's Nature Pledge in the Africa region with particular focus on the Sahel. Working closely with the Regional Gender Team, Regional Environment Practice, Global Nature Pledge Coordinator and task team, and in accordance with agreed strategic engagement and activation priorities, the Specialist’s primary responsibilities include:

Provision of Strategic Guidance, Communication and Advocacy

• Contribute to strategic guidance and technical expertise on the implementation of the Nature Pledge in the region, and the three system shifts: Value Shift, Economic and Finance Shift, and Policy and Practice Shift and on Nature for Gender Equality;
• Contribute to developing and delivering the Nature Pledge Regional Activation Plan for Africa in close collaboration with Regional Team Leader, Regional Technical Advisors, other Regional Hub Units, and global Nature Pledge task team;
• Enhance coordination among regional and country teams across thematic areas in the implementation of Nature Pledge activities;
• Contribute thematic inputs to the development and implementation of projects/programmes and strategies at the ground level in countries;
• Coordinate, contribute to strategic guidance and ensure delivery of components under the initiative Nature Pledge Localization in the Sahel: Advancing gender equality, economic empowerment and social cohesion through protection and restoration of nature financed through the UNDP NCE Funding Window, including the Communication and Advocacy Plans;
• Contribute to raising awareness about the Nature Pledge, its objectives and its relevance to the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy, mandate of UNDP and thematic work areas through communication and advocacy efforts;
• Engage with media, stakeholders, and the public to build support and momentum for the Nature Pledge and the nature, gender equality and social inclusion agenda.

Build Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization for Nature Pledge Implementation:

• Contribute to identifying entry points for integrated action across thematic teams at the regional and national levels to embed nature into UNDP’s development thinking and practice and support implementation of joint actions between different units, with particular focus on building ownership and awareness within the Regional Gender Team;
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with GPN teams in the Addis Regional Hub and collaborate closely with Country Offices in the region to integrate Nature Pledge objectives into their respective strategies and practices;
• Establish partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders to support Nature Pledge initiatives, including with women’s groups and women’s rights focused constituencies;
• Enhance linkages between regional and country development priorities and advise on entry points for mainstreaming nature to deliver better results for gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Identify, build, and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, civil society, women’s groups and indigenous communities, to support the Nature Pledge's implementation;
• Support resource mobilization efforts for Nature Pledge activities in the region, including engaging with potential donors and partners.

Provision Of Technical Support For Country Offices

• Provide project implementation oversight and support for all components of the initiative Nature Pledge Localization in the Sahel: Advancing gender equality, economic empowerment and social cohesion through protection and restoration of nature financed through the UNDP NCE Funding Window, including supporting country offices in supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management as well as coordinating and reporting to the Funding Window Secretariat;
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to UNDP Country Offices, particularly Sahel countries including UNDP Burkina Faso and UNDP Mali, as well as help identify additional potential Nature Pledge pilot countries and offer technical expertise and guidance to them;
• Deliver high quality policy advice, technical oversight and support to apply UNDP's priorities, requirements and standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as to meet the aims of the Nature Pledge and other key related policies and strategies; provide advice to enhance integration and elevation of gender equality results;
• Strengthen Country Office capacity and facilitate the integration of Nature Pledge commitments into respective Country Programmes;
• Assist in the development of country-specific strategies and action plans to align with the Nature Pledge's objectives;
• Support Nature Pledge implementation through Vertical Fund project development and implementation across priority focal areas (Biodiversity, Land Degradation, International Waters, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation, Chemicals & Waste, etc.);
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of policy and practice shifts in pilot countries.

Facilitate Knowledge Sharing, Monitoring And Reporting, And Capacity Building

• Contribute to generating and disseminating knowledge and best practices related to the Nature Pledge and its system shifts, promoting cross-learning among Country Offices and regional teams;
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track progress towards Nature Pledge objectives, ensuring that targets are met, and results are achieved;
• Monitor progress and impact of Nature Pledge initiatives, prepare periodic reports, and provide feedback for adjustments and improvements;
• Contribute to corporate reporting processes (such as the Gender Equality Strategy Annual Report and Nature reporting) to ensure gender and nature efforts are captured;
• Contribute regional inputs to the review and integration of gender equality in global concept notes and proposals;
• Contribute to sub-regional, regional, and global inter-agency initiatives related to the nature, gender equality and social inclusion agendas;
• Participate in regional gender team meetings and provide technical support on gender and nature related policy and programming;
• Identify and provide guidance on integrating nature priorities in gender equality programming and flagships, as relevant;
• Identify capacity gaps within Country Offices and provide training and support to enhance their ability to implement nature-positive initiatives;
• Conduct training and capacity-building activities for regional and country office staff to enhance their understanding of the Nature Pledge and its implications for their work;
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices among Country Offices and regional teams;
• Prepare training materials and resources related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and gender equality and linked areas including women’s rights, social cohesion, peace, security, conflict, displacement.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

• The incumbent will report to the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA), Integrated Land Management and coordinate closely with the Regional Team Leader for Gender Equality.
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection.
• The position involves frequent communication and coordination with various stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure the successful implementation of the Nature Pledge.
• Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for consultations taking into consideration different time zones.
• The incumbent will engage regularly with the supervisor by email and other communication tools on a weekly and/or as needed daily basis.

Competencies

CORE

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• 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

Business Development

• Collective Intelligence Design
• Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.
• Knowledge Generation
• Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management

• Partnerships Management
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Communication
  • Communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• An advanced degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, International Development Studies, Gender and Development, Sustainability, Economics, or a related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the said fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in international development, gender equality and social inclusion, and advancing nature-based solutions and sustainability, climate change adaptation and resilience building, with a focus on project development and management, policy advise, and partnerships;
• Demonstrable experience in advising and working with developing country governments and stakeholders, in areas related to environment, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, gender equality and social inclusion;
• Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management;
• Experience working in Africa.

Desired Skills

• Experience working with Sahel countries is strongly desired;
• Experience working on environmental programming, design and implementation is highly desired;
• Proven project management experience is preferable;
• Proven experience in managing partnerships, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and mobilizing resources for development projects/advocacy work is desirable;
• Experience working with UNDP or similar international organizations is highly desirable;
• Proven track record in high level advocacy/campaigns is desirable.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and French languages is required.

Disclaimer

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.