UN WOMEN Jobs

The United Nations Women (UN Women) research revealed that Women in Informal Cross Border Trade (WICBT) sector has been largely ignored by policy makers and currently faces serious challenges that involve inter alia: lack of finance; information and management skills; unfair competition from larger business; lack of storage facilities; cross border problems; lack of proper trading places/markets and capital equipment.  The above challenges were underpinned by the International Organization for Migration which in their research highlighted challenges which include but not limited to: extended periods of time spent in HIV transmission areas; lack of accommodation; lack of HIV prevention services at locations frequented by informal cross boarder traders and gender inequalities.

In a bid to arrest the challenges enshrined above the UN Women will support the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (Small to Medium Enterprise – SMMEs Unit) to implement  Women in Informal Cross Border Trade Project (WICBT) in Swaziland. Through research, capacity building, advocacy, networking, policy dialogue, public private partnership, value chain analysis and knowledge development the project will increase the visibility of WICBT and highlight their special contribution to employment creation and to the national economy. Specific projects will be identified so that WICBT are supported to participate in the value chain (accessing raw materials, production, processing, packaging markets and exporting). This project will demonstrate quantifiable results for WICBT on increased profits, quality and volume of production and exports. The establishment of a WICBT structure will also be supported through this project so that WICBT issues are prioritized and effectively placed on the agenda of policy makers as well as that of economic empowerment, poverty reduction and trade facilitation institutions and processes. The project identified priority sectors to address challenges for WICBT such as health, finance and infrastructure. It will build capacities of WICBT and knowledge sharing for greater visibility of the contribution of the WICBT to wealth creation, employment generation, poverty reduction and regional integration. This project also aims to support the creation of a WICBT structure so that WICBT are better organized to access resources, produce and export.

The overreaching goal of this project is to create wealth, reduce poverty and minimize exclusion among women cross-border traders by strengthening the leadership; increasing commitment and accountability of government institutions to integrate WICBT issues in policies or legislation; programmes; plans and budgets.  The project will also strengthen the capacities of the service providers to improve WICBT and knowledge sharing for greater visibility of the contribution of the WICBT to wealth creation, employment generation; poverty reduction and regional integration.

The project outputs will be to:

• Enhance the capacities of government departments to use gender tools and analyze policies, legislation, strategies, budgets, programmes and projects include WICBT issues.
• Strengthen data collection on WICBT in order to inform policy, budgets, legislation and programmes.
• Networks for WICBT created or strengthened.
• Enhance capacities for service providers of health, financial and infrastructure to deliver quality services to WICBT.

• Provide technical and administrative support to the implementation of the project.
• Facilitate policy dialogue around WICBT between women organizations and policymakers in order to ensure that WICBT issues are mainstreamed in the policies, programmes, processes and budgets.
• Consult with UN Women on expected results and build capacities of key stakeholders on results based reporting and ensure that indicators are addressed.
• Develop terms of reference for the project steering committee, the WICBT association to be established, and other structures as identified by the project.
• Work with UNDP for management and administration of the project.

Expected Outputs:

• Coordination of programme plans to ensure that the work and the budget plans are implemented in a timely manner.
• Monthly work plan and progress report, reporting on all major activity design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, audit, close out tasks.
• Quarterly narrative and financial reports in preparation for quarterly meetings.
• Planning and coordination of quarterly meetings with key stakeholders.
• Minutes of the meeting circulated three days after the meeting is held.
• Terms of References for the Consultant to conduct a capacity needs assessment and a capacity development plan for policy makers developed and agreed upon with key partners.
• Technical Support to support central statistics Office to develop tools for collecting data on WICBT and gender analysis recruited.
• Identify networks  for WICBT in Swaziland and develop and implement a capacity building plan.
• A final project coordinator`s report outlining achievements, problems and challenges as well as opportunities for UN WOMEN to follow through.
  

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism; ability to provide top quality policy advice services on related issues.
• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation; ability to negotiate with internal units.
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills.
• Ability to plan and organize work programmes.
• Strong IT skills; focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; good team player and ability for conflict resolution.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and SiSwati and with experience in writing project documents.
• Computer literacy, in particular experience with Microsoft Office products.
• Good health; and availability to travel both internally and externally.
• Knowledge of the government system and government procedures is an added advantage.
  

• Completion of a university degree in social sciences or a related field.

• At least five years experience in gender mainstreaming work including training and capacity building on women’s economic empowerment with a proven record in project management and administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge on gender and human rights, with a focus on international, regional and national frameworks on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience on gender responsive budgets, donor reporting, monitoring and evaluation – essential.
• Proven record of coordination and mobilizing resources for projects.
• Proven skills in participatory approach to planning and programming.