Job: GENDER EXPERT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE MINISTRY OF MINING, PETROLEUM AND INDUSTRY

Location: Juba, South Sudan
Deadline: Tuesday, 17 September 2013 

Description

GENDER EXPERT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE MINISTRY OF MINING, PETROLEUM AND INDUSTRY

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Application Deadline :

17-Sep-13

Additional Category

Democratic Governance

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Post Level :

International Consultant

Languages Required :

English  

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

27-Sep-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months

Background

South Sudan is endowed with various natural resources such as petroleum, iron core, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, and hydro power. Oil accounts for 98 per cent of South Sudan's national revenue and 70 percent of GDP. Despite the rich natural resource endowment, South Sudan also has the poorest development indicators in the world.  51% of the population lives below the poverty line. 57% of the population in female headed households is poor compared to 48% in male headed households. Ninety percent of the population earns less than one US dollar a day. 
The Transitional Constitution of South Sudan compels the Government to protect and ensure sustainable management and utilization of natural resources; and ensure that national wealth is equitably shared among all levels of Government to for the welfare of the people. The Constitution also establishes a threshold of women’s participation in governance at 25%.

The Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry is entrusted under the Transitional Constitution with the management of all aspects of national petroleum and mineral resources including exploration, extraction, transport and sales. The Petroleum Act 2012 sets up a Commission whose functions are key to the management of petroleum industry. The Mining Regulations also sets up a committee to implement the tender process in support of the award of mineral rights in South Sudan. However, no affirmative action provisions have been included in these legislation to allow for the participation of women in the both the mining and petroleum industry.

The United Nations Entity on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) was established by General Assembly Resolution 64/289, and became operational on 01 January 2011. Its vision is a world where women and men have equal opportunities and capacities, where women are empowered and where principles of gender equality are firmly embedded in all efforts to advance development, peace and security. The fundamental objective of UN Women is to enhance national capacity and ownership to enable national partners to formulate gender responsive laws and policies and to scale up successful strategies to deliver on national commitments to gender equality.
 
UN Women is therefore seeking a gender expert to provide technical support and advisory services to the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women within the functions of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry.

Justification

Oil is the largest source of revenue for South Sudan yet women have little involvement in decision making relating to policy making, regulation, technical aspects and revenue management in the petroleum of South Sudan. There is limited information on the involvement and participation of women and men in the petroleum and mining industry. The Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry is commissioning a study on the gender dimensions of the petroleum and mining industry in South Sudan. The recommendations of the study will require implementation and follow up. There is therefore a need for a need for a gender expert to provide technical support in gender responsive policy development and implementation in the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Consultancy

The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support in gender responsive policy development and implementation and coordinate UN Women support to the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry.

Tasks to be accomplished

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry and working closely with the Director General for Mineral Development, Director General for Petroleum, and Country Representative UN Women, the gender expert will be expected to accomplish the following tasks:

• Provide overall advisory services and technical support for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women in Ministry  of Petroleum, Mining and Industry;
• Act as the principal liaison between UN WOMEN and the ministry and provide advisory support to UN WOMEN with regard to relations with the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry and support the implementation of UN Women funded initiatives including a stakeholders forum on gender and extractive industry.
• Review the policy and legal frameworks relating to petroleum and mining and identify opportunities for strategic gender equality interventions;
• Support the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry to develop and implement a comprehensive programme of capacity building including training in different aspect of gender mainstreaming for senior staff of the Ministry and state ministries in charge of petroleum and mineral development;
• Support the ministry to develop Guidelines for gender responsive corporate social responsibility policy for petroleum and mining companies;

Deliverables

The Gender Expert will be expected to deliver the following:

• A plan of action for gender responsive policy implementation including Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting within the Petroleum and Mining industry developed and implemented;
• Effective coordination and implementation UN Women initiatives within the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Industry including a stakeholders forum on gender and extractive industry;
• Gender responsive policy analysis of legal and policy frameworks for petroleum and mining industry developed
• Guidelines for gender responsive corporate social responsibility policy for petroleum and mining companies developed and disseminated;
• A capacity strengthening plan for senior staff of the Ministry and state ministries in charge of petroleum and mineral development developed and implemented.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Good knowledge and understanding of the UN system, familiarity with UN Women mandate an asset;
• Knowledge of issues concerning governance, women's rights and gender equality;
• High sense of relational skills, including cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability, with a demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Functional competencies

Planning and Organising:

• Ability to plan work assignments, establish priorities and meet strict assignment deadlines with limited resources.
• Coordination and Monitoring
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients and focus on impact and results;
• Demonstrated aptitude to build effective partnerships with  a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Capacity to coordinate monitoring activities, to mentor programme/project staff/national counterparts and provide guidance and support;

Communications and Language:

• Compelling (verbal and written) communication skills including ability to prepare reports, formulate and defend sound recommendations and articulate opinions concisely conveying maximum necessary information.
• Outstanding oral and written communication and presentation skills in English. Arabic is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Masters’ degree in  development studies, international development, public policy, gender studies, law, economics, human rights, peace and development or any relevant development field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years’ experience of issues concerning women’s human rights and gender equality specifically in the context of conflict and post conflict environment;
• Experience  in programme planning & development, formulation of policy documents, working closely with Governments in the field of economic development and strengthening capacity of Government counterparts including support for developing gender responsive development frameworks;
• Experience with development work relating to community development in oil and mineral rich countries in the African region;
• Experience and knowledge of work in post conflict countries especially in the Eastern and Horn of Africa Region. Familiarity with the relevant context of South Sudan is an added advantage;
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to write succinct and focused reports;
• Have experience with transfer of knowledge, participatory approaches and/or facilitation.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Arabic is an asset.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

More Info and Application