United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About Office/Institute

UNU-International Institute for Global Health is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IIGH was established in 2005 with the mission to advance evidence-based policy on key issues related to sustainable development and global health. UNU-IIGH aims to build knowledge and capacity for decision-making by UN agencies, UN programmes and Member States towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Leveraging its position within the UN, UNU-IIGH works with a network of academic, policy and civil society experts to serve as a platform for critical thinking and exchange of knowledge and tools for policy influence and consensus-building. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu/iigh.

The Position

Background

Gender inequality is the condition in which access to rights, resources, and opportunities is unequally distributed between genders, including men, women, boys, girls, and individuals of other gender identities. Gender inequalities, including stigma, discrimination, violence, and other gender-related barriers limit access to critical health services and increase vulnerabilities. Gender norms, roles, and relationships can contribute to inequitable health outcomes. The goal of ending HIV, TB, and malaria cannot be achieved without maximizing health equity, gender equality, and human rights. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge of effective HIV, TB, malaria, and resilient and sustainable systems for health interventions that take a gender-responsive approach to addressing gender inequalities.

Scope of work

The United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) will undertake an evidence review and synthesis focused on identifying a package of interventions that are gender-responsive—that is, they either address the existing gender norms, roles, and relations that increase the risk of HIV, TB and malaria and restrict access to related services or they seek to transform the underlying causes of gender inequality, including but not limited to harmful gender and social norms, and power imbalances that privilege some while disadvantaging others. This evidence review will help to address major knowledge gaps and identify a set of priority programme areas for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria investments. Ultimately, the project will support the implementation of the Global Fund Strategy, strengthening gender mainstreaming and integration within Global Fund-supported programs, structures, and processes.

As part of this work, UNU-IIGH is looking to hire two consultants (one senior and one junior consultant) to urgently complete a rapid evidence review to identify a prioritized package of evidence-based gender-responsive interventions that have been shown to have, or contribute to, a positive impact on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and resilient and sustainable systems for health outcomes. Through a rapid review of peer-reviewed literature the consultants, working with the Research Lead and others in the Gender Equality and Intersectionality work package, will: (i) review and synthesize the evidence on gender-responsive approaches and interventions in HIV, TB and malaria programs; and (ii) to provide recommendations for a prioritized package of gender-responsive interventions for Global Fund-supported HIV, TB and malaria programs.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Gender Equality and Intersectionality Research Lead.

1. Desk review and evidence synthesis: The review team will conduct search of published evidence on gender-responsive approaches and interventions in HIV, TB and malaria programmes based on pre-agreed research questions, eligibility criteria, and search terms.
2. Analysis, synthesis, and write-up: The review team will extract details of eligible interventions, which will be summarised and analysed to produce a draft set of recommendations on gender-responsive interventions.
3. Virtual expert group review of findings: A multi-stakeholder expert group including the Gender Advisers at the Global Fund will review the findings and recommendations, providing input in the final set of recommendations.
4. Write-up of final reports and publication and socialising findings: The review team will finalise the report and manuscript which will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. The review team will also present the findings in Global Fund meetings as well as other relevant fora.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Expected deliverables over the course of the project include:

1. A work plan with finalised research questions, eligibility criteria, and search terms.
2. Annotated outline and slide deck, providing an overview of preliminary findings from the review and an outline of the broad areas of gender-responsive interventions based on which the set of recommendations will be developed.
3. The draft report and slide deck: These will contain the evidence synthesis and draft set of recommendations on gender-responsive interventions.
4. Completed report, manuscript submitted for peer review and slide deck: The final report with the evidence summary and a set of recommended interventions would be considered a final output of this work accompanied by a manuscript submitted to a peer-reviewed public health journal.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Remuneration

The successful candidate shall work under a Consultant Contract (CTC) and UNU-IIGH is looking for two consultants with details are as follows:

1. Senior Consultant to work for 30 days (700USD per day), minimum 15 years of relevant experience with Master’s degree and above.
2. Junior Consultant to work for 75 days (250USD per day), minimum 2 years of relevant experience with Master’s degree and above

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

Until May 2025

Starting date

Immediately

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

13 December 2024

Assessment

Applications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee against the required qualifications and experience.

Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector’s authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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