Gender, diversity and inclusiveness
Diversity is one of UNDP’s core values and is integral to the delivery of our mandate. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promises to “leave no one behind”, and this extends to our UNDP employees. We believe that achieving our mission will require a gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive workforce where the dignity of each individual is respected to the utmost, free from any form of discrimination or abuse.
The 2030 Agenda envisions a world in which “every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality and all legal, social and economic barrier to their empowerment have been removed”.
We are committed to removing all such barriers not only for those we serve, but for all women and gender non-confirming employees at UNDP. This includes maintaining full gender parity at each grade level.
B. LGBT+ inclusion
UNDP is equally committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for all of its LGBT+ personnel. This includes addressing concerns and risks related to the mobility required for UNDP jobs.
C. Strategy for Advancing Diversity and Inclusiveness
With about 15 percent of the world’s population living with some sort of disability, promoting an inclusive development agenda for those with disabilities is an important prerequisite for the SDGs. In fact, advocating for people with disabilities has been identified as a critical component of UNDP’s poverty eradication efforts.
UNDP is committed to making sure those with disabilities receive equal access to UNDP employment opportunities and the chance to thrive within the organization.
To reach this goal, UNDP has worked to pursue understanding about disabilities among managers and staff, to provide reasonable accommodation as well as targeted employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
UNDP/UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities
The first of its kind in the UN system, UNDP and UNV launched this programme jointly to offer young people with disabilities the chance to acquaint themselves with the UN system as well as to build a pipeline of talented young professionals with disabilities fully equipped to contribute their skills and knowledge toward achieving the SDGs. Participants are employed as UN Volunteers for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension for another 6-12 months.
(a) Be a person living with a disability;
(b) Be no more than 35 years of age;
(c) Written fluency in English. Knowledge of other Official UN languages is an advantage (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese);
(d) Completion of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or enrolment in a Bachelor or Master’s degree in a field related to the UNDP’s mission.
D. Anti-racism and discrimination:
UNDP is committed to the eradication of racism and to supporting geographical diversity among its personnel. As part of its work in achieving this goal, UNDP has paired up with the United Nations People of African Descent (UNPAD) to establish a chapter within UNDP.
UNDP is also guided by a policy of zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination whether based on gender, race, sexual identity or disability as well as a robust policy for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.