Gender Programme Officer, NOA, TA (364 days), Ankara, Turkiye, #127470 (Turkish Nationals only)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, equality

In the framework of the Country Programme Document 2021–25, Outcomes 2 (Adolescent Development and Participation/ADAP) and Outcome 3 (Child Protection and Social Protection services), UNICEF in Türkiye prioritizes (a) prevention of GBV, (b) prevention of child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), (c) advancing girls’ education, learning and skills; and mainstreams positive gender socialization across sectors.

UNICEF in Türkiye is cooperating with national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Family and Social Services (MoFSS), other line ministries, civil society organizations, private sector and UN agencies for the above-mentioned programmes. UNICEF has been leading the UN Joint Programme for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) since January 2018 with support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The Joint Programme aims to change social norms and attitudes towards gender equality; improve institutional capacity to prevent and respond to CEFM; advocate for preservation and advancement of the legislative and policy framework in line with international commitments; provide specialized services to survivors; and support financial stability and economic empowerment of families and girls and boys most at risk of CEFM.  

In partnership with the MoFSS, UNICEF is supporting the social service workforce capacity for survivor-centered, gender-responsive and age-appropriate service delivery to women and child survivors of GBV and CEFM. National and local policies and action plans for advancement of women’s and girls’ rights and for the prevention of domestic violence are also supported.

UNICEF also partners with governmental and non-governmental organizations such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep and Kilis Municipalities, Mother and Child Education Foundation (AÇEV), Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, ASAM, Turkish Red Crescent, and Support to Life to develop and implement various Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) interventions. These aims to generate evidence based and measurables social behavioural change in the communities through social mobilisation including knowledge and information sharing, awareness generation and community engagement. Skills-building programmes, peer-to-peer mentorship schemes, role models’ meetings to engage community members in dialogue, and targeted work with men and boys are among community-based interventions.

How can you make a difference?

The Gender Programme Officer will report to the Gender Programme Specialist (NOC) for supervision and will be responsible to assist in all aspects related to the coordination, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Joint Programme for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. As part of the programme implementation, the officer will also be responsible to perform any other tasks to accelerate targeted gender programmes under the Child Protection sector and gender integration across all sectors as directed by the Supervisor, in line with the Country Programme Document.  

Key Functions and Accountabilities

1. Support programming, coordination and monitoring of the UN Joint Programme for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage

• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of the Joint Programme coordinating and executing/administering a variety of technical, program, operational and administrative transactions, preparing related materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, program planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Assist in coordinating the Joint Programme, ensuring day-to-day management of the programme including support in budget planning, recruitment of consultancy services, development, tracking and monitoring of quarterly workplans, including targets and achievements, milestones and timely submission of annual reports
• Under close supervision of the Gender Programme Specialist, build and sustain effective, close working partnerships with Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs), donor focal point, national stakeholders and local counterparts
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual review meetings with counterparts

2. Support management and field implementation of targeted gender programmes with implementing partners

• Develop / support development of Programme Documents, Programme Cooperation Agreements, SSFAs as required, in consultation with stakeholders and relevant UNICEF staff
• Sustain and support capacities of implementing partners in timely and high-quality delivery of results
• Closely monitor partnership’s alignment with HACT rules and regulations, including cash transfer and progress reporting
• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress in the implementation of Programme and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

 3. Support UNICEF Country Office capacity, networking and advocacy efforts to advance gender equality

•  Compile and share secondary data on gender, in collaboration with PM&E under the supervision of the Gender Programme Specialist
• Identify, capture, synthesize and share global and regional best practices and lessons learned for knowledge development, innovative methods, and partnership with private sector, media and marketing to advance gender equality results
• Support development and delivery of training / orientation programmes for UNICEF staff and partners
• Attend the Gender Thematic Group, assist Gender Programme Specialist in development and implementation of the workplan for gender integration across sectors  
• Provide technical inputs to funding proposals
• Support emphasizing UNICEF’s mandate in relation with gender through specific activities in relevant important dates (International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism against VAW and girls, girls and women in STEM, Day of the Girl Child etc)

Skills

• Technical knowledge and work experience in gender equality
• Strong English writing skills 
• Result-based programme design, implementation and reporting 
• Programming, planning and implementation in programmes related to gender equality 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Social Policy, International Development or another relevant technical field.  
• A minimum of one year of relevant professional work experience is required.
• Technical knowledge and work experience in gender equality are required.
• Demonstrated experience in result-based programme design, implementation and reporting is required.
• Relevant experience in programming, planning and implementation in programmes related to gender equality is required.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender equality for children is required.
• Experience working with UN agencies, civil society organizations, local administrations and government institutions is considered as an asset.  
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.