Kenya has, through its vision 2030, made explicit commitments towards ensuring gender equality. The vision specifically mentions the unequal distribution of resources as a key challenge towards equity and towards achieving development. As part of vision 2030 the government of Kenya aims to reduce the number of people who live in absolute poverty by 2030. The five year medium term plan outlines a number of key policy actions, reforms, programmes and projects that the government intends to implement between 2008 and 2012. The plan identifies gender mainstreaming as key flagship project under the Ministry of Gender.
Budgets are important instruments for operationalizing government commitments towards gender equality and women's rights in national, regional and international agreements. The Kenyan government, through its five year medium-term plan (MTP) identified as a priority the introduction of gender mainstreaming into all government policies, plans and programmes to ensure that the needs and interests of women, men, girls and boys are addressed. National Gender Machineries have been mandated to 'coordinate, implement and facilitate gender mainstreaming in national development...' which opens the door to operationalizing this commitment and launching a process for gender responsive planning, programming and budgeting in the country. This process entails the introduction of measures in the public finance management system, and ensuring that the sectoral and local planning, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation processes respond to gender equality requirements and take into consideration women's priorities and the hidden economic and social burdens borne by women.
In 2008 UNIFEM, in partnership with CIDA and the National Commission on Gender and Development (NCGD), commissioned a study on GRB in Kenya. As a follow-up to the study UNIFEM NCGD organised a workshop bringing together key actors in GRB in Kenya in February 2010. One of the key outcomes of the workshop was to agree on a taskforce to act as a steering group for the coordination of GRB work in Kenya and provide inputs to a country programme document development by UNIFEM.
To support the process of coordinating the GRB task force and the National Commission on Gender and Development, UNIFEM is recruiting a GRB Programme Officer. The GRB Programme Officer will be working with UNIFEM's Gender and Governance Advisor and GGP programme team under the direct supervision of the UNIFEM Country Programme Manager for Kenya.
Duties and Responsibilities |
The programme officer will be responsible for the following:
1. Advisory
- Provide technical advice to the National Machineries and the Gender Budgeting Taskforce on gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting within the Planning and Budgeting Framework of Kenya.
- Based on a sound analysis of the budget process in Kenya, advise on the entry points for ensuring that gender mainstreaming is embedded in planning and budget processes.
- Build capacities of the various members and institutionalise the gender budget task force.
- Support the National Machineries and the Gender Budgeting Taskforce in undertaking sector based gender analysis.
- Support the National Machineries and other oversight bodies in translating gender analysis findings into budget analysis and the budget process.
- Support the gender budget task force in developing evidence based advocacy and lobby strategy for policy influence.
- Facilitate the implementation of the activities of the current GRB work-plan with the various partners and stakeholders (civil society groups, GOK, gender machineries, and other institutions).
- Monitor the progress of the work and in collaboration with UNIFEM staff in Kenya develop annual work-plans on GRB in accordance with UNIFEM's strategic plan and the Gender and Governance strategy.
- Participate in the periodic GGP planning processes and ensure that GRB work is aligned to the overall GGP work-plan.
- Until such a time as proper modalities are established, provide a secretariat for the GRB taskforce.
- Use analysis conducted within the sectors to develop a plan to transform plans and budgets to integrate gender responsiveness.
- Conduct a capacity assessment of civil society groups (including those under the current GGP programme), gender machineries and Government of Kenya staff currently implementing or interested in implementing gender budget work with a specific emphasis on three areas:
(i) GJLOS sectors
(ii) Education sector
(iii) Local and devolved funds
- Based on the outcome of the assessment, develop a plan for potential partnerships for long-term GRB work and to strengthen the capacity of the identified groups.
- Represent UNIFEM in Gender Responsive Budget meetings organised by the GRB taskforce and other actors.
- Coordinate the various analyses conducted for the gender budgeting advocacy.
- Ensure that knowledge is shared and used with the gender budget taskforce and other key stakeholders in Kenya.
- Any other duties as requested by the Country Programme Manager.
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Competencies |
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent time management skills, demonstrated capacity of multi-tasking and working effectively under pressure for extended periods and meet strict deadlines
- Demonstrated experience of working in challenging knowledge-based and results based management environment
- Ability to engage substantively with networks of professionals in Public Finance Management and others in this field
- Proficiency in applying knowledge tools and products to work
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili
- Ability to work independently and be able to effectively interact with various constituencies
- A strong team player, willing to lend a hand to other team members and partners when required
- Resourcefulness, initiative and a high sense of responsibility
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Required Skills and Experience |
Education
- The candidate must have a minimum of a Master's Degree in Gender and Development or Public Policy or Development Studies or Economics with Gender as a component from a recognised University.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in Gender and Governance or Gender Responsive Budgeting issues at the national level
- Good understanding of gender budgeting work in Kenya
- Good understanding of the Government of Kenya's Planning and budgeting frameworks
- Good understanding of programme finances and demonstrated experience of formulating, tracking and reporting against budgets
- Good skills in using office software applications, intranet and internet based applications.
Languages:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili
Applications should be submitted on line and must include the UNIFEM Personal History Form (P11) posted at http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc |
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| 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. |
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