UN WOMEN Jobs - 115467- Regional Strategic Planning Specialist

Regional Strategic Planning Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Cairo, EGYPT

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Apr-24 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women has placed emphasis on improving its strategic planning, reporting, and managing for results by applying Results-Based Management (RBM) throughout all the work of UN Women. This requires dedicated efforts to strengthen the results culture in the organization. In order for UN Women to communicate impact stories on women and girls with aggregated results and financial data across all the countries and regions, strategic planning with a strong emphasis on results management is pre-requisite to facilitate systematic and effective results monitoring and reporting during the implementation.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, the Regional Strategic Planning Specialist is responsible for leading the strategic planning and results management (monitoring and reporting) work in the Arab States Region. The Regional Strategic Planning Specialist provides strategic guidance and technical support to the RO and Country Offices (COs) to ensure high-quality strategic planning documents at regional and country levels, ensuring the alignment with UN Women Strategic Plan and the corporate standard on RBM. They lead the preparation of the Strategic Note and work plan of the RO in close collaboration with RO colleagues and COs in the respective region. The Regional Strategic Planning Specialist also provides guidance, technical support, and quality assurance to Country Offices (COs) associated with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), Strategic Notes, and work plans from the strategic planning and RBM perspectives. They also contribute to HQ-led corporate-level initiatives in the areas of Strategic Planning and RBM.

In addition, she/he oversees the results monitoring and reporting work in the RO, including the mid-term review of SNs, and annual reporting work in the region. The Regional Strategic Planning Specialist also oversees and coordinates the overall regional Results Management Management (KM) She/he will support the development of the KM strategy and oversee its effective implementation.

The Regional Strategic Planning Specialist works closely with the Regional Programme Leads, Regional Coordination Specialist, the Regional Monitoring Specialists and project focal points, and the Regional Operation Manager, as well as the rest of RO colleagues and CO colleagues in the region. They also coordinate with other Regional Strategic Planning Specialists in other ROs to facilitate cross-regional learning and peer-to-peer support mechanisms. In carrying out the functions, they coordinate and collaborate closely with relevant HQ Divisions and units, including the Strategy, Planning, Resources, and Effectiveness Division (SPRED) and the Policy, Programme, and Inter-Governmental Division (PPID), in order to ensure the implementation of corporate policy, procedures, guidance and systems associated with the strategic planning and results management in their respective region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic planning , reporting and RBM-related guidance and technical support to the UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and UN Women COs in the region for development of UNSDCFs through the inter-agency regional mechanism, such as Peer Support Group (PSG), in close collaboration with Regional Coordination Specialist

Substantively support and contribute to the inter-agency strategic planning processes at the regional and country levels, by coordinating with PSG co-chairs and participating in PSG meetings and related activities related to strategic planning, RBM, monitoring and reporting;
Review draft Roadmaps, Common Country Assessment (CCA) and UNSDCFs from the perspective of strategic planning, RBM and monitoring/reporting, in line with the guidance/standard from DCO, in close collaboration with Regional Coordination Specialist;
Provide additional technical support to UNCTs and Results Groups, upon request, in relation to UNSDCFs, joint work plans, RBM capacity development, monitoring and reporting;
Provide guidance and technical support to UN Women COs in the areas of strategic planning, RBM, monitoring and reporting related to UNSDCFs, Joint Workplans and the UN Info platform, clarifying the alignment and linkage with UN Women Strategic Plan, Strategic Notes, workplans and UN Women Results Management System (RMS).

Provide strategic guidance, technical support and quality assurance to UN Women COs in the areas of strategic planning, reporting, RBM and UN Women Result Management System (RMS)

Provide guidance, technical support and quality assurance to UN Women Country Offices in the region to ensure the quality and timely submission and finalization of Strategic Notes, ensuring the full alignment with the respective UNSDCFs and in line with UN Women’s relevant corporate policies, procedures and guidance;
Provide guidance, technical support and quality assurance to UN Women Country Offices in the region to ensure the quality and timely submission and finalization of workplans, in line with UN Women’s relevant corporate policies, procedures and guidance;
Lead and manage the regional level review and appraisal process of workplans from COs, in collaboration with the relevant RO colleagues, to ensure quality in the region to facilitate the approval of those CO workplans by Regional Director;
Provide guidance and support to COs to ensure MTRs and amendments of Strategic Notes and workplans are completed in a timely manner in line with relevant corporate procedure, in coordination with HQ;
Provide guidance, technical support and training to strengthen the capacity of COs in the areas of RBM in relation to strategic planning;
Provide guidance and technical support, upon request, when a CO conducts Mid-Term Review (MTR) of their Strategic Note;
Provide guidance and technical support to COs to ensure the effective use of RMS for the planning processes.

Lead and coordinate the strategic planning, reporting processes at the regional level

Lead and manage the overall processes and coordinate within RO and with COs in the region to develop a new Strategic Note, ensuring the timely submission and quality in line with the relevant corporate policies, procedures and guidance;
Lead the overall processes and coordinate within the RO to develop and finalize workplans of the RO, ensuring the timely submission and quality in line with the relevant corporate policies, procedures and guidance documents;
Lead and manage the amendment process of Strategic Note and workplan of RO in line with relevant corporate procedure and in coordination with SPRED/SPU;
Provide RBM-related guidance and technical support to RO personnel to improve strategic planning in RO;
Provide guidance and technical support to personnel in the RO to ensure the effective use of RMS for RO’s planning processes;
Provide support to the Regional Operations Manager for matters relating to the Regional Quarterly Business Review (QBR), the Regional Risk Management process and the development of the regional Office Typology and physical presence setup.

4. Contribute to HQ-led corporate initiatives in the areas of Strategic Planning, reporting and RBM in close collaboration with HQ to ensure the field perspectives and needs are reflected in those corporate initiatives

Contribute to corporate level strategic planning exercises associated with UN Women Strategic Plan, including development of new Strategic Plan and Mid-Term Review of Strategic Plan;
Contribute to development, revision and roll-out of relevant corporate policies, procedure and guidance in the areas of strategic planning and RBM;
Contribute to development/revision of corporate RBM capacity development resources and tools in the areas of strategic planning;
Contribute to development/enhancement of corporate systems in the areas of strategic planning and results management;
Contribute to enhancement of UN Women’s Transparency Portal to improve publishing of planning data;
Contribute to cross-regional and corporate level knowledge exchange and learning on strategic planning, reporting and RBM in close collaboration with other Regional Strategic Planning Specialists and HQ colleagues.

5. Oversee documentations in the areas of strategic planning and RBM within the Regional Office and contribute to audits and evaluations

Ensure Strategic Notes and workplans of RO and COs in the region are fully updated in the corporate systems and documented with amendments, ensuring the readiness for future audits and evaluations;
Contribute to internal/external audits, corporate/regional evaluations, other assessment/reviews and reporting requirements, by providing necessary data, information and documents associated with UNSDCFs, Strategic Notes and workplans from the region.

6. Lead data, trends analysis, monitoring and results management within the regional office

Plan, design and implementation of the UN-Women’s data, monitoring and results management strategy in alignment with the Regional Strategic Note and other regional substantive needs;
Coordinate and maintain up to date thematic, trends and organizational analysis, including in support of countries where the ROAS is a non-resident UN Agency;
Undertake empirical analysis, data mining and visualization to assist the Regional Office and Regional Senior Leadership Team, in developing reports and working papers on key topics related to gender and sustainable development for use in UNCT/HCTs and with partners, including Country Gender Equality Profiles;
Lead in the conceptualizing and synthesizing of Regional Office Annual Results Report (internal and external), including results from CO’s as relevant to implementation of regional strategic outcomes defined in the Strategic Note and the regional knowledge dashboard;
Contribute to the corporate level monitoring and reporting requirements;
Provide guidance and technical support to Country Offices to support planning of monitoring and reporting work at the planning stage of Strategic Notes, workplans and projects in line with the corporate requirements;
Develop Gentrack and support TrackIT (monitoring impact tools across the region) as required;
Lead and manage the regional level review and appraisal process of annual reports from COs, in collaboration with the relevant RO colleagues, to ensure quality in the region to facilitate the approval;
Lead donor reporting processes for ROAS, quality and compliance.

Provide coordination support to GEWE intergovernmental and normative work at regional level

Lead initiatives related to the Commission on the Status of Women at regional level, including contributions to relevant global/regional reports and background documents;
Facilitate regular review of the progress on implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action;
Provide coordination support for other regional and global GEWE processes, with emphasis on coordinating UN-Women’s work with the League of Arab States.

Lead and manage personnel under their supervision

Manage the performance of personnel and coordinate planning and reporting focal points under their (matrix) supervision by providing managerial direction, guidance and leadership as well as performance feedback and coaching;
Ensure performance assessment are completed on time and identify learning and development opportunities to support personnel’s engagement;
Ensure all personnel under their supervision are fully aware of UN Women’s workplace relations policies.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent is part of the Planning, Data and Results Management Team of ROAS. The team, reporting to the DRD, currently consists of a Monitoring Specialist working on TrackIT! and data collection and analysis in humanitarian emergencies, a Gender Statistician and a Data and results management associate. The incumbent supports and guides planning, monitoring and reporting focal points across the region. The P4 may in future supervise staff.

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity;
Integrity;
Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
Accountability;
Creative Problem Solving;
Effective Communication;
Inclusive Collaboration;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

Excellent knowledge of strategic planning and RBM;
Excellent knowledge of UN system and understanding of inter-agency strategic planning processes;
Excellent analytical skills;
Ability to promote and monitor the inclusion of gender-specific results, indicators, targets, and activities in various planning frameworks;
Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision;
Ability to support others to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the areas of strategic planning.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

Master’s degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, Social Sciences, Political Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, Gender, or a related field is required;
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

At least 7 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation, international relations, public administration, or a related field is required;
At least 3 to 5 years of experience in Results-Based Management (RBM) and strategic planning, including managing and coordinating the development of strategy, multi-year planning documents, work plans, and/or programme documents at the country, regional, and/or international levels is required;
Experience in providing guidance and technical support for the development of Theory of Change, results frameworks, logical frameworks, and indicators for programmes/projects, to ensure the minimum standard of RBM is required;
Experiences in inter-agency strategic planning work related to UNDAF/UNSDCFs at the country, regional, or international level is required;
Experience in developing RBM resources and tools is desirable;
Experiences in conducting RBM training, as a trainer, to personnel and/or external partners to support results-based planning, monitoring, and reporting is desirable;
Experience leading and coaching staff in international settings is required;
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.), spreadsheet and database packages is required;
Experience in the use of a modern web-based results management system is desirable;
Experience working in the Arab States region is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required;
Knowledge of Arabic is strongly desirable;
Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish).

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)