TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS (JPOs) Please use this format to request a JPO for your office. The Job Description should be specific and comprehensive and UN abbreviations should be spelled out in full. A. General Information JPO functional title: Main sector of assignment: Country and Duty Station: Duration of assignment: Programme Analyst, Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Gender Based Violence Bangkok, Thailand One-year fixed-term appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance The UNFPA Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme is intended to provide on-the-job training for young professionals who wish to obtain practical experience in development assistance. It gives them an opportunity to acquire professional knowledge in population projects in a developing country. B. Supervision Title of Supervisor: Gender Based Violence (GBV) Technical Specialist The GBV Prevention and Response Officer post is located in the Asia Pacific Regional Office, and reports to the Gender Based Violence Technical Specialist who provides overall direction and guidance. S/He is part of the regional team providing integrated programme and technical support within a systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to UNFPA s overall strategy. Content and methodology of supervision: 1. Job-related guidance in a timely, constructive and appropriate manner is provided on a continuous basis. 2. The functions of all staff and what is required of the JPO and how this relates to the overall mandate of UNFPA will be explained. 3. All necessary information, rules, policies, equipment and other tools required will be provided. 4. The JPO will have opportunities to use his/her skills and abilities fully and to contribute to the work of the office to the best of his/her abilities. 5. Supervisors will take an overall interest in the JPO s development and provide encouragement and advice on how the JPO can realize his/her potential. 6. There will be opportunities for the JPO to express his/her views on work-related matters. C. Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the GBV Technical Specialist and overall guidance of the Regional Gender and Human Rights Advisor, the GBV Prevention and Response Officer will provide technical and related strategic programme support to countries in the region to strengthen their policies and programmes to prevent and respond to GBV across the continuum of development and humanitarian settings. 1
1. Strategic, Programme and Technical Support: a. Contribute to the implementation of the regional programme interventions under the Gender Outcome (Outcome 3 under the Regional Prorgamme), with a particular focus on Output 10 GBV prevention and response. b. Assist in the preparation of regional events and commemorations such as the 16 Days of activism against gender based violence, International Women s Day, International Day of the Girl Child etc. c. Support the roll out of international guidance and standards on multi-sectoral GBV response, in line with the Essential Services Package for women and girls subject to violence. d. Support Country Offices to utilize and implement UNFPA s Minimum Standards for prevention and response to GBV in humanitarian settings. e. Contribute to a regional dialogue on implementing GBV prevention and response across the continuum of development and humanitarian context. f. Maintain an updated mapping of country data on GBV laws, policies, interventions for prevention and response and evidence on interventions including challenges and what works. g. Support implementation of ongoing projects, such as the knowvawdata initiative, Child Marriage in Humanitarian Settings research study, UN joint GBV prevention initiative, GBV Essential Services Package roll-out in pilot and self-starter countries etc. h. Undertake any other duties/travel as required by the APRO Gender Team/Senior Management. 2. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination: a. Contribute to the development of an online gender/gbv knowledge platform to serve as an accessible, real-time repository of knowledge products, tools and resources on gender equality, gender based violence and harmful practices. b. Under the supervision of GBV Technical Specialist and Gender and Human Rights Advisor, organize webinars and other peer to peer exchange opportunities between and among APRO and CO gender teams in order to build capacity and develop a network of experts on gender equality, GBV and harmful practices. c. Prepare regular newsletters on upcoming capacity building opportunities, research and evidence, tools and good practices on addressing GBV in development and humanitarian settings. d. Assist APRO and Country Offices to document knowledge, good practices and lessons learnt. e. Provide support in the analysis and synthesis of substantive trends, emerging needs and research findings in the region in the area of GBV in development and humanitarian settings. 3. Partnership, Communication and Resource Mobilization a. Support APRO s engagement in regional inter-agency fora, mechanisms and processes on addressing GBV in development and humanitarian settings, including UNiTE Working Group, Inter-agency Group on Gender in Humanitarian Action, UN Girl s Education Initiative and others. b. Assist Gender Team in developing Communications strategies and social media messages around key themes eg 16 Days of Activism against GBV, International Women s Day etc. c. Assist in regional and multi-country resource mobilization initiatives. D. Qualifications and Experience: Postgraduate degree in social sciences or related fields with specialized knowledge in the field of gender and development, social work, public health or related field. At least 2 years of experience in development, design and implementation of gender related programmes, particularly those related to GBV in developing countries. Prior experience in Asia Pacific region is desirable. Fluency in English is required. 2
Excellent writing, analysis and communication skills. Strong analytical orientation and sound judgement, initiative and resourcefulness. Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds E. Learning Elements (should be defined in form of measurable results) Upon completion of the two-year assignment, the JPO will: Be conversant with the international normative guidance, data and evidence, tools and resources related to GBV prevention and response in both development and humanitarian settings. Understand key opportunities and challenges related to advancing gender equality and addressing GBV and harmful practices in Asia and the Pacific region. Understand principles and approaches for policy and programme interventions at country level to prevent and respond to GBV in development and humanitarian settings. Understand the structure and functioning of the regional office and be conversant with programme planning, implementation and monitoring. Have experience working in interagency mechanisms and fora and have developed an understanding of UN interagency coordination and joint programming. During the course of the assignment, every effort will be made to ensure that the GBV Prevention and Response Officer has the opportunity to participate in internal trainings (such as GBV in Emergencies training, Humanitarian Surge training) and where possible and relevant, to undertake country missions. F. Required Competencies Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN System, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change Core Competencies: Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact Functional Skill Set: Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise, leveraging resources of national governments and partners and building strategic alliances and partnerships, technical knowledge in the area of GBV prevention and response. G. Background Information Although most countries in the Asia and the Pacific region have ratified CEDAW and have adopted national legislation and policies that promote gender equality and aim to eliminate all forms of violence against women, significant gender gaps remain. Physical and sexual violence affects 3
between 15 to 68 percent of women in the region in their lifetime, with prevalence rates significantly higher in South Asia and the Pacific. Despite advances in legislation, harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and gender biased sex selection are prevalent in several countries in the region. The Asia and the Pacific region continues to be the most disaster prone region in the world. The region also experiences a high level of conflict and houses over half of the world s refugee population. The region is also experiencing the impact of climate change in the increasing frequency and intensity of national disasters. Despite considerable efforts by governments and humanitarian actors to improve lives of displaced and crisis affected populations, gaps remain in addressing sexual and reproductive health and gender equality needs of women and girls within National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) or National Disaster Management (DRM) strategies, plan and programmes. In addition, a number of countries in the region are experiencing protracted crises, instability and conflict, exacerbating the risks of gender based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and exposing women and girls to other risks, such as early, child and forced marriages. The UNFPA Asia and Pacific Regional Office, in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2018-2021, will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 5, advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, with the aim of achieving zero violence and harmful practices against women and girls. The Regional Programme focuses on the following key outcome and associated outputs: Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, including their reproductive rights are achieved by ending gender based violence and harmful practices including in humanitarian settings: o Strengthened policy, legal and accountability frameworks to advance gender equality and empower women and girls to exercise their reproductive rights and to be protected from violence and harmful practices. o Increased multi-sectoral capacity to prevent and address gender-based violence with a focus on data, health, pyscho-social support and coordination, including in humanitarian settings. o Strengthened response to eliminate harmful practices, including child, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and son preference. Information on the receiving office: The GBV Prevention and Response Officer will be located in the Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO) of UNFPA in Bangkok. Under the direct supervision of the GBV Technical Specialist and overall guidance of the Gender and Human Rights Advisor, the GBV Prevention and Response Officer will be a member of the Technical Team. APRO has a total of 43 staff members (27 international and 16 national) and oversees 22 countries and one sub-regional office. The Gender team, led by the Gender and Human Rights Advisor includes (a) Violence against Women Research and Data Technical Advisor, (b) Gender Based Violence Technical Specialist, and (c) Programme Assistant. 4
Family / Non-family Duty Station means that you are not allowed to bring any family members: Bangkok is a family duty station. Living conditions at the Duty Station: The duty station will be Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok is a highly developed modern city with excellent accommodation that includes single house, apartments etc. The cost of living in Bangkok perhaps compared to some of the other capital cities in Asia is relatively high but still low compared to the Europe and North America. Health facilities and services are among the best in Asia and often many people from various countries visit Bangkok for seeking medical services. Travel to and from Bangkok is easy as there are many daily flights connecting Bangkok with major cities in the world. 5