[country or region] Human Development Report [tentative year]:
[working title: state the theme]
[date of circulation]
The gender specialist holds an important position in the preparation of the national or regional Human Development Report. The specialist is charged with ensuring that gender considerations are included and appropriately addressed by the core team in analysing the theme of the report and the related issues. The theme of this HDR is [theme]. The specialist should also be able to guide the team in collecting data on gender issues, in aggregating gender-related data and in measuring and interpreting gender inequalities. The specialist should therefore be versed in the disciplines associated with the theme and the related gender issues. Moreover, the specialist should carry out these responsibilities with an eye to the effectiveness of the advocacy effort and follow-up after the launch of the report.
1. Position information
Job title: gender specialist
Department: [lead unit in the UNDP Country Office, Regional Bureau, or Regional Centre]
Activity: [country or region] Human Development Report [year]: [theme]
Supervising team member: HDR team leader
Time-frame: [expected duration of contract]
Contract: special service agreement
2. Organizational context
Under the direct guidance and supervision of the leader of the national or regional report team and supported by the institutional focal point, which is usually located in the United Nations Development Programme Country Office, Regional Bureau, or Regional Centre, the gender specialist will be in charge of ensuring that gender differences and gender inequalities are systematically and consistently addressed in the analyses of the report. The specialist will, for example, promote data collection and the calculation of indicators that highlight gender issues and, furthermore, will conduct analyses on gender-disaggregated and age-disaggregated data. The specialist will also assess the effects of policies in fostering or harming gender equality and propose conclusions and recommendations that relate the theme of the report and gender issues. This may entail the preparation of a background paper drafted according to the guidelines in the attached concept note and a review of other background papers and contributions to the report for the opportunity to raise gender issues or deepen gender analysis.
3. Functions and expected outcomes
The following are the functions of the gender specialist and the outcomes expected from the work of the specialist:
a. Review background papers and other contributions to the report to ensure that gender issues, including equality issues related to gender, are systematically and consistently highlighted and covered in the analysis of the theme examined in the report. This may call for the specialist to promote the collection of appropriate data by team statistics experts. It may also call for the specialist to advise other contributors on gender analysis and the use of data and indicators on gender issues. The specialist should always seek to rely on consultation and other participatory approaches involving colleagues and local stakeholders, including in the collection of new data and qualitative information to fill knowledge gaps.
b. Prepare a background paper on gender issues. This might require that the specialist carry out analyses on gender-disaggregated data and assess the successes and failures of current policies in fostering gender equality. The background paper should address the significance of the theme of the report in terms of gender equality. This might involve an examination of differences in standards of living, educational attainment and employment opportunities among men and women, family and maternity protection, gender-based violence, and so on.
c. Supply a complete list of data sources and bibliographic references used in the gender analysis in the report.
d. Review the draft report to ensure that gender issues are adequately covered in the analysis and in the conclusions and recommendations.
e. Participate in the launch of the report and follow-up events to respond to media inquiries and requests from the public for clarification and additional information on the report’s findings in terms of gender issues.
4. Recruitment qualifications
a. Education: a recognized degree, preferably a Ph.D., in a social science
b. Language requirements: excellent command of [the language of the report]; proficiency is desirable also in English or French and in [name of the major national or regional language]
c. Experience: at least 10 years of relevant experience in academia or research, with a focus on gender analysis; experience with international development organizations would be considered an asset
The gender specialist should also have demonstrated the following:
