UN WOMEN Jobs - 48432- Strategic Planning Consultant

Strategic Planning Consultant

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Erbil, Iraq for Strategic Planning and Training session - Preparation work to be Home-based, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Jul-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

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 in Iraq has been supporting women’s economic empowerment alongside other areas of programming. UN Women’s economic empowerment portfolio in Iraq is three-fold: supporting women’s economic security at the grass-root level; supporting Iraqi businesswomen and entrepreneurs to extend their support to poor women; and at the policy level.

The Businesswomen Association in Iraqi Kurdistan was established in December 2013. The nascent association is in the process of setting up the structure and laying out the foundations for their future work. The association aims to promote the role of businesswomen in Kurdistan and to encourage women to set up small businesses and enhance women’s contribution to the national economy.

UN Women is seeking the technical support of a strategic planning expert to facilitate and develop a strategic plan for the Business women’s Association in consultation with the association members.

In a participatory approach with business center members, a 2-3 days’ workshop would be held for the purpose of brainstorming the way forward, goals, mission, and vision ;a draft strategic plan would be circulated and finalized by the consultant upon the completion of the workshop.

Duties and Responsibilities

The strategic planning expert will be expected to work on the following:

Prepare materials for the workshop including a brief session on leadership and team work;
Hold a 2-3 day workshop for strategic planning and brief leadership training;
Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for 3 years;
In consultation with the members, prepare a comprehensive work plan for 2014/2015.

Objectives of the Strategic Plan

Define mission, vision, values, goals, and strategy;
Define strategic priorities and action plan;
Define an organizational structure;
Provide the members with a road-map for the association’s interventions in the economic arena.

Deliverables

Strategic planning sessions and leadership training;
Strategic plan including mission, vision, and goals;
Comprehensive work plan.

Monitoring and Reporting Requirements:

Overall, the Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:

Provision of comprehensive, appropriate, and sufficient strategic planning sessions;
Successful coordination with and among the participants;
Successful strategic planning session and leadership training;
Excellent communication skill and high quality of advice and perspectives; and
Finalization of a 3 year strategic plan and comprehensive work plan.

The Consultant shall report directly to the Programme Specialist at UN Women Office/Iraq.

Competencies

Core Values:

Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter;and
Show respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrate this understanding in the work and decision making.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Works effectively with people from different backgrounds;
Operates in compliance with the organization regulations and rules;
Establishes and maintains productive partnership with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve mission goals and objectives;
Facilitates and encourages open communication and promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
Passes up situations and actions considered inappropriate or which present a conflict of interest; and
Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates.

Managerial Competencies:

Has the ability to positively lead and inspire others as well as the oneself;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Has the ability to work independently and as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful environment;
Has the ability to develop innovative solutions – encourage and contribute creative solutions to address challenging situations; and
Has the ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, economics, international development or related studies.

Experience:

5 years of expertise and experience in strategic planning preferably for business associations or chambers of commerce; and
Expertise in leadership training and team work.

Language:

Fluent in Arabic and English;
Speaking Kurdish is a plus.