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[Include information about the country/specific programme. Ideally include a link to a video]
How can you make a difference?
In line with the UNICEF Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) 2026–2029 and the Kenya Country Office’s annual PSEA workplan, the Gender & PSEA Programme Specialist will provide high-level technical guidance, programmatic support, and coordination to mainstream gender equality and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) across all sectors.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Management and/or advisory support
- Program development and planning
- Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
- Advisory services and technical support
- Advocacy, networking and partnership building
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
- Management and/or advisory support
- Provide progress/status update to Country Management Team (CMT) once every quarter and as when required; Programme Coordination Team; partnerships, research, financial and contract review committees; to ensure strategic inclusion of gender and PSEA in key country-specific programming, including during emergencies.
- Coordinate in consultation with Deputy Representative/Programmes with the UNICEF Centre of Excellence in Nairobi and the Headquarters Gender,Child Protection andPSEA focal points to plan, utilize, monitor and report on the Gender and PSEA Thematic Fund, or other programmatic funds that are allocated to the country-specific interventions for the Country Programme.,
- In collaboration with sectoral colleagues and under the guidance of Deputy Representative-Programmes, participate in the planning and monitoring of the utilization of the budget allocated to sectoral and cross-sectoral gender & PSEA interventions with sectoral colleagues
- Lead the gender & PSEA component of the reporting of the routine country-level programme expenditures, including the annual reporting and the RAM.
- Provide technical input and review on the gender & PSEA components in key funding proposal appeals and submissions and in the design of funded projects/programs so that gender technical components are clearly defined and technical capacities are included.
- Program development and planning (including emergency contexts)
- Lead and/or support evidence-based programme planning on gender and PSEA including during emergencies, incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results - especially in the event of the Country Programme development and Mid-Term Review.
- Provide technical leadership on integration of gender & PSEA into country programming phases, including strategic planning, strategic moments of reflection, CPDs, CPMPs, mid-term reviews, extended annual reviews, programme component strategy notes and in the programmatic assessment and institutional strengthening components of gender reviews
- Undertake and follow up the recommendations of Gender Programmatic Review as well as Gender audit during emergencies.
- In collaboration with sectoral colleagues, identify the areas of focus for gender programming with the greatest potential for impact and scale, in alignment with the GEAP and the country/regional priorities.
- Work with sectoral counterparts to incorporate sound gender & PSEA indicators and
measures in programme and policy initiatives, proposals, and advocacy efforts and assist in developing gender-sensitive and transformative theories of change models for sector and cross-sectoral programming.
- Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (including emergency contexts)
- Provide technical support in indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking as it relates to gender mainstreaming and the Targeted PSEA Priorities, in collaboration with Planning, M&E and planning section and sectoral teams.
- Lead cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on PSEA, gender, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results
- Support PME for strengthening of data systems and collection, as well as accountability mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress on gender & PSEA results .
- Support high quality reporting on PSEA and gender results, and a biannual performance review of GEAP specified results as part of the Gender and PSEA task force of UNICEF Kenya Country Office
- Work closely with evaluation colleagues to effectively integrate data collection, tracking, analysis and reporting on the indicators for agreed PSEA & GEAP targets into programme results and gender/PSEA performance benchmarks into M&E systems.
- Support and strengthen the quality of research and evidence building on gender related programming, bringing in the latest learning and insights from the field of gender and development, and putting in place a coherent, well-prioritized research agenda in alignment with the GEAP.
- Oversee the planning and implementation of gender & PSEA reviews and make sure that the recommendations that come out of the review are integrated into the Country Programme strategy and action plans and humanitarian strategies and action plans in emergency contexts.
- Actively represent UNICEF in relevant coordination bodies at the inter-agency level (gender theme group or other networks, GBV cluster if relevant), participate as a member of steering committees, and provide close oversight of inter-agency joint programmes
- Ensure the office fully implements PSEA action plan in accordance with the UN-wide system PSEA network action plan on awareness raising, prevention, community-based complaints mechanisms, and victims’ assistance.
- Advisory services and technical support
- Provide technical support and guidance to national & county government, NGOs, UN Agencies and other country-level and local-level partners and as appropriate via on aspects of gender & PSEA programming and ensure incorporation of gender & PSEA indicators and measures in programmes/projects, policy initiatives, proposals, and M&E systems.
- Coordinate PSEA actions for UNICEF, including provision of technical support and guidance to sectoral PSEA focal points and alternate at national and field level, provide relevant support for the improvement of partners capacity in preventing and responding to SEA and support implementation of the PSEA country action plan
- Provide technical support and advocacy to reporting and follow-up on international and regional gender equality commitments made by the countries
- Support the development of adequate emergency preparedness measures, updating contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms that reflect gender & safeguarding needs.
- Support to the concerned entities for the development of sex-disaggregated databases on information crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency plans.
- Lead and/or participate in needs assessment missions on gender, and in the event of an emergency, be deployed as a member of the Emergency Response Team.
- Support programme sections to Identify implementing/operational partnerships and in order to ensure an effective, gender-inclusive and well-articulated safeguarding emergency response.
- Advocacy, networking and partnership building
- Liaise and consult with sections, government and other external partners under the guidance of Dep-Rep. as well as Rep/Chief Partnerships as appropriate (civil society, NGOs, UN Agencies, private sector) to identify areas for convergence, and develop and reinforce partnerships on PSEA and in gender programming.
- Enhance existing strategic alliances for PSEA & gender equality with various partners, including institutional links with UN agencies and other relevant entities.
- Collaborate with other UN agencies and partners to enhance robust gender results in sectoral programmes at the country level. As & when delegated, represent UNICEF in external meetings on gender integration into sectoral and cross-sectoral results, including UN Country Team meetings relevant JP preparations.
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
- Initiate documentation and sharing of the country-level experience in PSEA and gender programming and lessons learned, which will be shared with internal network and external partners and utilized for South-South cooperation.
- Bring best practices in PSEA and gender programming and measurement to the attention of senior management and sectoral colleagues, as well as the Centre of Excellence’s gender and PSEA sections at the regional office/ Headquarters
- Support and conduct innovative research on PSEA & gender at the country-level provided relevant and budget permissible.
- Support management and HR in the development of systems, tools and processes that enable staff members and external partners to enhance their understanding and adoption of Safeguarding and gender sensitive behaviors and to support implementation of GEAP.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: SJD Gender Programme and PSEA Specialist NoC.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in human rights, gender studies or any other social sciences is required. (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics).
[If approved by the relevant authority as per the Staff Selection Procedure, include here the flexible provisions for education vs experience, according to the branded VA example]
Work Experience:
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on gender and Safeguarding/Protection is required.
A Bachelors or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area stated above, combined with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
- Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes on gender & safeguarding/SEA programming and development or any other cross cutting programme, especially at country/field level, experience in emergency response is an asset.
Language Requirements:Fluency in English and Swahili is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Desirable: Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts, including Gender-Based Violence in Emergency (GViE) 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
The 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
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
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Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
