Gender Officer (Health Systems Strengthening)

Job Description

**Deadline to apply is 27 June 2025** Contex tIn India UNDP is a long-standing partner of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) and their institutions at the State and District level. Guided by the government, the UNDP India work is fully carried out in close coordination with partner UN agencies and is focusing on better health services provided to the population of India. The overarching goal of UNDP’s work on health system strengthening in India is to facilitate equitable access to basic services by strengthening capacities of communities to demand and access services, and of institutions to deliver quality, timely and stigma free services and LNOB (Leaving no one behind). The Gavi Alliance co-funded Health System Strengthening (HSS) programme is one of the efforts of the MoHFW to improve the quality and level of immunization coverage in India. UNDP has been a trusted partner of MoHFW and GAVI for many years in this flagship programme that has nationwide coverage and has supported vaccine delivery to over 1 billion people. The initially developed solutions (eVIN and CoWIN) have proven themselves well and now UNDP is given a unique opportunity to develop and integrate a new universal vaccination solution - U-Win – which is the focus on the current phase of support. While a large part of the HSS programme is related to digital solutions development, capacity building and implementation, it also includes technical support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the implementation of its National Rabies Control Programme, National Programme for prevention and control of Snakebite envenoming and National One Health Programme for the prevention and control of zoonosis which are implemented through the center for One Health, NCDC. Following a One Health approach, UNDP is also collaborating with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on strengthening the animal health sector. Further, UNDP also supports the technical support Unit of the National Programme for Non-communicable diseases under the Ministry. Working closely with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and other development partners, the programme also supports the National AIDS and STD Control Programme in the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS with a focus on the rights and well-being of the LGBTQI+ communities. The Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Unit is continuously developing its pipeline of new project proposals in areas such as school health, HPV, One Health, climate and health, anaemia, and implementation of the PCPNDT Act to reduce sex-selective practices. A key focus is ensuring these projects are gender-responsive and aligned with broader goals of equity and inclusion. The Gender Officer will support the Unit in strengthening project proposals and documents, with a particular emphasis on advancing gender equality and social inclusion. The Gender Officer (Health Systems Strengthening) will be hold an overall responsibility for ensuring gender mainstreaming in the ongoing HSS projects on vaccination and immunization across India, by contributing with technical input and advise throughout the project cycle. The incumbent will be stationed at the Country Office in New Delhi, with travel to other states. Task description The Gender Officer (Health Systems Strengthening) will report to the Team Lead, Health Systems Strengthening as well as work closely with the Gender Analyst of the CO. 1. Planning, management, implementation of gender strategy and policy advice: • Lead the implementation of the HSS Unit Gender Strategy, including development and periodic review of the unit’s Gender Annual Work Plan, and project gender act ion plans. • Provide support and technical advice to the HSS unit projects in implementation of project gender action plans and application of UNDP tools for gender mainstreaming, including gender markers. • Ensure gender mainstreaming across all HSS project project proposals, project documents, results frameworks, reports work plans and M&E systems. • Timely provision of inputs to corporate communications and reporting requirements relating to the implementation of the CO Gender Equality Strategy in HSS Unit. • Represent the HSS unit in the CO Gender Focal Team and undertake related work. • Support effective application of gender mainstreaming and social inclusion throughout the HSS unit and project cycles, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, communication and advocacy, results reporting and quality assurance of results in line with the Leave No One Behind agenda. • Provide additional support to the implementation of the CO LGBTQIA+, HIV and LNOB projects, as and when required 2. Capacity building and knowledge management related to Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) • Act as the HSS Unit PSEAH Focal Point and represent the unit in the UNDP India CO PSEAH Task Force. • Design and provide trainings and awareness raising sessions on PSEAH to HSS staff and third-party contract holders. • Develop a PSEAH strategy/SOP for the for the third-party staff in line with UNDP principles. • Support Grievance redressal on gender and PSEAH related issues. 3. Partnerships and collaborations promoting gender and social inclusion: • Contribute to the identification and facilitation of strategic partnership building opportunities for gender equality and social inclusion. • Contribute to the strengthening of relations and collaboration in social inclusion and gender-related areas between the Government and HSS Unit. • Ensuring gender and social inclusions evaluations of the HSS projects, including engaging relevant agency to conduct the said gender audit. • Maintain and disseminate key learnings from the best practices from across the globe. 4. Knowledge Management and Communication on gender and social inclusion: • Preparation of case studies and impact assessment on how U-WIN and other HSS interventions has contributed for improving work life balance and empowerment of female healthcare workers andpregnant woman. • Support the portfolio in effectively showcasing the work done on gender equality, which includes, campaigns, events, blogs etc. • Lead the knowledge practice with updating of new and emerging changes in the domain. • In coordination with the CO Gender Analyst, the gender officer will be responsible for building the capacity of the team on gender markers, gender action plans and other corporate tools for gender mainstreaming etc. Relevant experience 5 years Languages English, Level: Fluent, Required Hindi, Level: Fluent, Desirable Required education level Bachelor degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Public Policies, Law, Social Sciences, Economics, or in related field Skills and experience • Minimum 05 years of work experience in designing, managing and/or implementing development projects and initiatives addressing gender equality, women's empowerment, and/or social inclusion with focus on at the intersection of health and gender. • Experience in the development sector on promotion of gender equality and/or social inclusion is desired. • Knowledge of UNDP strategies, policies and tools related to gender and PSEAH is desirable. • Hands-on experience in integration gender and social integration perspectives in design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects. • Demonstrable experience in applying gender and social inclusion analysis to policy development and policy review is desired. • Demonstratable experience in working and collaborating with state institutions for gender equality promotion, capacity building and gender transformative approach is desired. • Knowledge of and experiences related to gender equality challenges in the country are desirable. • Demonstrable experience in relevant role with government project/s, gender and health (in particular vaccination and immunization) related projects will be in added advantage. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Tailors and presents information and trainings to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal). • Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. • Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading coalition, teams and working groups.