UN WOMEN Jobs - 45604- UN Joint Programme Coordinator Consultant

UN Joint Programme Coordinator Consultant

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

12-May-2014

Application Deadline :

22-Apr-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

8 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

8 months

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

The Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF 2012-2015) articulates the strategic orientation and collective assistance provided by the United Nations to Zimbabwe. In order to deliver more effectively on ZUNDAF Outcome 7.1: Laws, Policies and Frameworks Established and Implemented to Ensure Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls, the UN has developed a Joint Programme for Gender Equality (JPGE) which will be jointly implemented by four participating UN agencies: ILO, UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women.
The JPGE will bring together state, UN development agencies, development partners and a number of different gender equality advocates to support the Government of Zimbabwe in attaining its development goals (of which MDG 3 on Gender Equality is one). Throughout its interventions, the JPGE will engage in capacity-strengthening at macro, meso and micro levels and in advocacy at the highest levels to lobby for integration and ownership of gender issues into policy and legislative development.
The JPGE will address four programme pillars:

Promoting women’s security and combating gender-based violence;
Women’s political participation and influence;
Women’s economic empowerment and working conditions; and,
National accountability on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The JPGE is the UN Gender Theme Group (GTG) flagship programme and forms an important part of the coordination function of the GTG. UN Women is the managing agency and administrative agent for the joint programme. The start-up phase of the programme will require some additional capacity to support the setting up of structures, processes and initial procurement. As such UN Women is looking to strengthen the JPGE Coordination Team through a JPGE Coordination Consultant.

Duties and Responsibilities

The JPGE Coordination Consultant will provide the following support to ensure the set-up of the JPGE coordination structures:

Planning support to the JPGE Coordination Team

Supports the set-up of the Pillar Expert Panels (PEPs) and the JPGE Steering Committee (SC), and hold regular meetings as deemed appropriate in consultation with the Pillar Lead Agencies, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development as the Steering Committee Chair, and included in the terms of reference of the PEPs and the SC;
Provide secretariat support to the PEPs and the SC, including drafting of agendas, administration of meetings and ensure that minutes are drafted and approved;
Develop and propose the Terms of Reference for the PEPs and the SC, to be approved in the first meeting of the SC.
Ensure close coordination with the UN Women Gender Theme Group (GTG) Focal Point, to ensure that information is shared with the GTG and that the coordination of the JPGE is part of the overall coordination function of UN Women and the GTG;
Manages the development of the 2015 annual work plans and budgets, requesting and consolidating information from the Participating UN Organisations (PUNOs).

Development and implementation of the JPGE Monitoring and Evaluation System

In close collaboration with the UN Women Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, design and develop an M&E system for the JPGE, using a participatory and inclusive approach. The M&E system should include reporting timelines, reporting instructions, and reporting templates. The system should be tested with the PUNOs to ensure that it is user friendly and streamlined with other reporting processes if possible;
Implement the M&E system in a timely manner, allowing the JPGE Coordination Team to track progress with all PUNOs on a regular, quarterly basis, and in particular taking into consideration the reporting obligations in the donor agreement.

Initial set-up of the JPGE coordination function

Ensure the timely disbursement of the initial funds from the donor to UN Women, and from UN Women as the Administrative Agent to the PUNOs, under the guidance of UN Women head office;
Provide procurement support for the procurement needs of the coordination team;
Drive the human resource processes in the JPGE 2014 Annual Work Plan.

Other JPGE coordination related functions

Provide resource mobilisation support to the UN Women Country Representative for the JPGE, to ensure that resource gaps are filled, including organising of look-and-learn visits for potential donors.
Provide communication support to the JPGE, in close collaboration with the UN Women communication focal point, including drafting of speeches, communication briefs and review of communication documents.

Expected outputs and deliverables

At least 2 meetings for each of the three Pillar Expert Panels organised, for the Mid-Year Review and the Annual Review of the JPGE;
At least 3 JPGE Steering Committee meetings organised;
Terms of Reference for the Pillar Expert Panels and the JPGE Steering Committee drafted and approved
Mid-Year and Annual Review reports submitted to the Gender Theme Group;
A consolidated 2015 Annual Work Plan produced;
A comprehensive JPGE M&E system established;
3 JPGE consolidated financial and narrative quarterly reports produced;
2 human resource positions created and recruited;
Procurement processes completed for IT, vehicle and consultant;
At least 5 donor meetings organised, including a look-and-learn visit;
At least 3 communication briefs produced for the JPGE.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and commitment to UN principles and values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favourism.

Functional competencies:

Comfortable working in teams and individually;
Self-management, emotional intelligence and conflict management;
Analytical and strategic thinking/results orientation;
Fluency in relevant computer applications/MS office applications.
Results oriented, flexible and problem-solving skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Skills in managing multicultural contexts with sensitivity to differences;
Excellent coordination and facilitation skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in development related disciplines, international relations, development studies or other social science fields.

Professional experience:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines programme coordination and strategic planning in the area of gender equality and women’s rights at the international level;
Experience in programme administration, results based programme development and management, planning and implementation, experience with joint or inter-agency programmes is an asset;
Substantial experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
Demonstrated capacity and experience in coordinating different agencies/organisations an asset, in particular UN agencies;
Previous experience in working with senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society;
Experience of working in developing countries, preferably in Africa;

Languages:

Written and oral proficiency in English is required.