Org. Setting and Reporting
The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.
This position is located in the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section, in the Social Development Division.
Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Director, Social Development Division, and direct supervision of the Chief, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section, the Social Affairs Officer is responsible for the following duties:
Social Analysis
• Participates in the analysis of social development issues with a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment at the global, regional and national levels; undertakes empirical research and analysis of trends and developments and related policy issues relevant to the Division’s mandate, projects and initiatives; recommends proposals for inclusion in reports to intergovernmental bodies, member states, etc.
• Develops indicators and methodologies for review and evaluation of gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives.
• Liaises with officials of governments, representatives of national, regional and global organizations, organizations of the UN system, etc. on gender-related and selected social policy issues concerning the implementation of specific programmes, action plans or other initiatives, and provides advice on a range of related matters.
• Assists in the planning, organizing and servicing of technical and ad hoc expert group meeting; drafting reports and preparing summaries of meetings, etc.
• Represents the Section at international and other meetings; organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on social and economic development related matters, particularly those related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Prepares/contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts reports or sections of analytical reports, studies, background papers, parliamentary documents, briefings, correspondence, etc.
Intergovernmental support
• Provides support to intergovernmental processes dealing with gender and social development issues by: preparing inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies; following intergovernmental meetings and preparing summary reports; preparing inputs to statements by members of the bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings; assisting in the organization of panels, round tables, etc. on social development issues for intergovernmental processes.
Technical Cooperation
• Organizes trainings, workshops and seminars in support of capacity building for government officials and other stakeholders.
• Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Asia and the Pacific.
• Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sectoral technical cooperation projects.
• Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects related to gender issues.
• Participates in fact-finding and advisory missions to government and other activities in support of work programme.
General
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Section’s services.
• Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.
Requirements
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sociology, economics, other social science or related field is required. A recognized first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in socio-economic development, policy analysis, sociological research and technical cooperation is required. A minimum of three years of experience in advancing gender equality, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment at the international level is desirable. Experience of working within the Asia-Pacific region will be an asset
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application Deadline: 15 March 2020
How to apply:
Apply here: https://www.unescap.org/jobs