Mission and objectivesCreated in 1946 by the UN General Assembly under the name: United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. It became a permanent agency in 1953. UNICEF assists governments with long-term programs aimed at improving the quality of life of children: health, vaccination and nutrition, health prevention, primary education, and particularly difficult situations. UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, prioritize children and strengthen their capacity to formulate appropriate policies and implement services for children and families. UNICEF works with all its partners to achieve the sustainable human development goals set by the global community and the ideal of peace and social progress enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
ContextGender equality is essential to realizing the mandate of UNICEF to uphold the rights of all children. The UNICEF Gender Action Plan (GAP), 2022โ2025, operationalizes the UNICEF Gender Policy, 2021โ2030, by specifying how UNICEF will promote gender equality across its programmes and workplaces. It affirms that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the responsibility of everyone, regardless of organizational role. The GAP elaborates the steps required to accelerate progress on gender equality across the five Goal Areas of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2022โ2025, as well as within institutional systems and processes, with clear indicators and monitoring mechanisms to track change. The GAP builds on an increasing knowledge base on gender equality, including current evidence regarding the gendered effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It responds to lessons learned from the implementation of previous GAPs and an extensive global consultative process with staff, partners and young people. It is grounded in the human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality and articulates the role of UNICEF, as a collaborator with Governments and other partners, in supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Women and persons with disabilities and minority groups in the Central African Republic face additional barriers to access essential services and participation in decision-making processes. Inclusive programming will ensure these populations are systematically considered and empowered within gender-focused strategies. In alignment with the GAP, the role of the Gender and Inclusion Programme Specialist is primarily technical and programmatic, with the normative advocacy and coordination roles serving a secondary function. The Specialist provides authoritative technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results contributing to gender equality and Inclusion in alignment with the Gender Action Plan.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: 1. Management and/or advisory support to Deputy Representative, Senior Gender Programme Specialist, or Representative โข Actively participate in or support Country Management Team (CMT); Programme Coordination Team; partnerships, research, financial and contract review committees; financial and contract review committees, and other key country-specific leadership teams to ensure strategic inclusion of gender in all country-specific programming. โข Coordinate with the Regional Gender Advisors and the Headquarters Gender Section to plan, utilize, monitor and report on the Gender Thematic Fund, or other programmatic funds with large gender components that are allocated to the country-specific interventions for the Country Programme, under the Country Office senior management. โข In collaboration with sectoral colleagues and under the guidance of Deputy Representative, participate in the planning and monitoring of the utilization of the budget allocated to sectoral and cross-sectoral gender interventions with sectoral colleagues. โข Lead the gender component of the reporting of the routine country-level programme expenditures, including the annual reporting and the Results Assessment Module (RAM). โข Provide technical input and review on the gender 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. 2. Support to program/project development and planning (including emergency contexts) โข Participate in evidence-based programme/project planning on gender, incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results - especially in the event of the Country Programme development and Mid-Term Review. โข Support the integration of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive indicators, ensuring attention is paid to the intersectionality of gender with disability, ethnicity, and other markers of marginalization. Promote inclusive education and protection for children, especially girls, living with disabilities or from minority communities. โข Support the incorporation of adolescent-specific gender indicators, especially those addressing early marriage, school retention of girls, access to mental health services, and inclusion in youth platforms such as U-Report and girls' leadership groups. โข Provide technical leadership on integration of gender into country programming phases, including strategic planning, Situation Analysis (SitAns), strategic moments of reflection, Country Programme Document (CPD), Country Programme Managemen,t Plan (CPMPs), mid-term reviews, extended annual reviews, programme component strategy notes and in the programmatic assessment and institutional strengthening components of gender reviews. โข In collaboration with sectoral colleagues and senior management, identify the areas of focus for gender programming/projects with the greatest potential for impact and scale, in alignment with the GAP and the country/regional priorities. โข Work with sectoral counterparts and senior management to incorporate sound gender indicators and measures in programme/project and policy initiatives, proposals, and advocacy efforts and assist in developing gender-sensitive theories of change models for sector and cross-sectoral programming in alignment with the Monitoring Results for Equity System (MoRES) framework. 3. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (including emergency contexts) โข Support indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking as it relates to gender mainstreaming and the Targeted Gender Priorities, in collaboration with Planning, M&E and planning section and sectoral teams. โข Ensure that data disaggregation includes, where feasible, disability status and minority group affiliation, to better monitor equity gaps in gender results. โข Participate in cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results โข Support the strengthening of data systems and collection, as well as accountability mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress on gender results. โข Support high quality reporting on gender results, and a biannual performance review of GAP specified results. โข Work closely with evaluation colleagues to effectively integrate data collection, tracking, analysis and reporting on the indicators for the GAP into programme results and gender performance benchmarks into M&E systems. โข Participate in the strengthening of the quality of research and evidence building on gender related programming, by supporting the bringing in of the latest learning and insights from the field of gender and development, and supporting the input of a coherent, well-prioritized research agenda in alignment with the GAP. โข Support the planning and implementation of the gender reviews and make sure that the recommendations that come out of the gender review are integrated into the Country Programme strategy and action plans and humanitarian strategies and action plans in emergency contexts. 4. Advisory services and technical support โข Provide technical support and guidance to national government, NGOs, UN Agencies and other country-level and local-level partners on aspects of gender programming and to ensure incorporation of gender indicators and measures in programmes/projects, policy initiatives, proposals, and M&E systems. โข Provide technical support and advocacy to reporting and follow-up on international and regional gender equality commitments made by the countries โข Support the development of adequate emergency preparedness measures, updating of contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms that reflect gender needs. โข Support the development and deployment of emergency training that incorporates gender issues and relevant strategies. โข Participate in needs assessment missions on gender, and in the event of an emergency, be deployed as a member of the Emergency Response Team. โข Support implementing/operational partners and implementing arrangements in order to ensure an effective, gender-inclusive emergency response . 5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building โข Liaise and consult with sections, government and other external partners (civil society, NGOs, private sector) to support convergence, and develop and reinforce partnerships in gender programming. โข Provide technical guidance to ensure that gender programming is inclusive of persons with disabilities and minority populations, aligning with the principles of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy. โข Support building and maintenance of internal and external partnerships and networks in the development of harmonized, gender-transformative programme interventions. โข Support building and maintenance of strategic alliances for 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. If necessary, represent UNICEF in external. โข meetings on gender integration into sectoral and cross-sectoral results, including UN Country Team meetings and UnDAF preparations. โข Support mapping of potential new partnerships and leverage existing partnerships to accelerate GAP implementation at the country level in determined priority areas. 6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building โข Support documentation and sharing of the country-level experience in gender programming and and lessons learned, which will be shared with internal network and external partners and utilised for South-South cooperation. โข Forge partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and minority-led organizations to ensure inclusive gender-transformative programming. โข Represent the gender section at sectoral, country-level and regional-level network meetings, and ensure best practices on gender programming according to 5 GAP principles are highlighted in these forums โข Bring best practices in gender programming and measurement to the attention of senior management and sectoral colleagues, as well as Regional Gender Advisor and gender section staff at HQ โข Supporting innovative research of senior gender staff, if present โข Support Regional Gender Advisor in advancing the technical and research capacity of country-level staff, offices and programs on gender to continue to build evidence base for programming and to ensure continuous capacity in gender at Country Office level.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEFโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksCAR is a post-conflict country. In 2013, a bloody conflict between the Seleka and the Anti-Balaka armed groups over almost the entire territory of the country. Fearing the risk of genocide, the United Nations decided to send peacekeepers to the country to protect civilians and restore peace. The clashes have ended, and entire areas of the country are under the control of the Government. In March 2025, they signed the peace agreement with two last armed groups who agreed to end hostilities in the field and to enter the peace process. The CAR has only one international airport (Bangui Mโpoko), which provides all air links to the outside and regions of the country. There are aerodromes in the 16 capitals of each Prefecture and some of the sub-prefectures. The road network is very poor since only one main road connects CAR to Cameroon, which is paved. Two seasons alternate the climate in CAR. A dry season and a rainy season spread over 6 months each. The most feared disease is malaria, which kills many people every year. The hotel network is experiencing increasing growth but is still very expensive. Regarding food, there is a wide variety of local and imported products in Bangui and some of the country's cities. However, access to these products is different in different parts of the country. All these difficulties make the cost of living more expensive. It is the same for services like banks, hospitals, electricity, etc., with limited access and concentrated only in Bangui, the capital.