UNDP Jobs - 50467- National Project Officer

National Project Officer - Support the Implementation of Bangsamoro Peace Agreement

Location :

Manila/Mindanao, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial one year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Possible extension depending on performance and funding availability

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 Security Council Resolution 1325 recognises that conflicts affects women and girls differently from men and boys, and that women must be part of conflict resolution and long-term peace building process. In this regard, UN Women has a universal mandate to assist countries and the UN system in progressing more effectively and efficiently towards achieving gender equality and empowerment of women as well as upholding women’s rights. UN Women plays a critical role in the development and strengthening of international norms and standards alongside their implementation through operational and coordination activities, while also informing the development of those norms and standards through experience on the ground. It has also established strategic partnerships and networks with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, women’s human rights advocates, and civil society organizations.

In the Philippines, the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro on 15 October 2013, which puts both parties on the path to end nearly four decades of intermittent violent civil conflict. After 17 months of negotiations, the two parties agreed on crucial annexes pertaining to normalization, wealth sharing, and power sharing. The final Annex on normalization was signed in Malaysia on 25 January 2014. This has paved the way to signing of a Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which took place on March 27, 2014.

The CAB also provides the opening for rebuilding communities and livelihoods affected by conflict, pursuing acceptable options for former combatants, restoring justice and harnessing private sector, civil society and development partners in addressing peace, security and development. To protect the most vulnerable population, particularly women and indigenous peoples, the Framework Agreement also guarantees the right of women to meaningful political participation and protection from all forms of violence; equal opportunity and non-discrimination in social and economic activity and the public service, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender and ethnicity; and establishing cultural and religious associations. These provisions in the Framework Agreement equally apply to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

To maximize the opportunities occasioned by the signing of the Framework Agreement and the CAB, the Government and the MILF are working proactively to finalize key elements of the overall peace process and direct overseas development assistance to support the new Bangsamoro entity. Recognizing that the establishment of new structures and processes in the transition to the new Bangsamoro entity will require the enhancement of capacities for governance and peacebuilding, both parties have expressed the need for technical support in managing key processes.

Funded by the United Nations Peace Building Support Fund, UN Women, in partnership with UNDP, is implementing a programme initiative to establish participatory political processes and public confidence building in support of the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement at all levels. Particular efforts will focus on promoting women’s leadership and participation to strengthen their role in decision-making processes to develop a peace agenda is broadly owned, open and transparent. Simultaneously, as Bangsamoro institutions are being set-up, it is important to ensure adequate technical inputs to these processes so that the Bangsamoro institutions have gender responsive mandates and charters.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Programme Specialist of the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and/or Delegated Authority, the National Project Officer will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the project component led by UN Women under the Peace Building Support Fund, including the following tasks.

Summary of Key Functions:

Oversee and coordinate the project in the Philippines with particular focus on Mindanao;
Support the timely delivery of the project component led by the UN Women through overall project monitoring and financial management;
Strategic partnership and capacity building of key national stakeholders, counterparts and partners.

Oversee and coordinate the project in the Philippines with particular focus on Mindanao

Timely and quality planning and implementation of the programme, taking responsibility for the overall daily management and delivery of project outputs;
Effective application of result-based management tools, providing guidance to partners on establishment of performance indicators, and monitoring achievement of results;
Provision of technical inputs, review and analysis of reports and other relevant materials on women in peace process to UN Women HQ and/or Regional Office, governments and donors.

Support the timely delivery of the project component led by the UN Women through overall project monitoring and financial management

Manage budgets, finance, administration and procurement-related matters and functions in accordance with UN/UN Women rules and regulations;
Monitor, analyse and evaluate technical and financial reports from partners, providing regular substantive and management support to resolve any challenges and ensure timely and quality delivery;
Engage in regular field visits and closely liaise with UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific to facilitate the achievement of the above tasks.

Strategic partnership and capacity building of key national stakeholders, counterparts and partners

Facilitate consultation with stakeholders for strategic selection of programme activities and partners based on the results framework of the programmes and projects, national priorities, partner capacity assessments;
Development of partnerships with UN agencies, government institutions, and civil society programme/project implementation and other stakeholders;

Build and maintain strong relationships with key inter-agency and partner stakeholders, including other participating UN Agencies;
Support the capacity-building of national counterparts and programme partners in developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on evidence-based policy/programming.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
Displays sensitivity and fairness in regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and disability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more thematic areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Strong IT skills;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioural/attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm and in control even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Good knowledge of policies and programmes and government related policies and instruments to advance gender equality;
Familiarity of civil society organizations and networks in the Philippines working to advance gender equality particularly in Mindanao;
Familiarity with the United Nations system and its coordination mechanism would be an advantage.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including an ability to prepare succinct analytical documents and briefs in English.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Gender and Development, International Relations, Public Administration, Law, Human Rights or equivalent in relevant fields of Social Science.

Experience:

Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in the field of gender responsive governance and women’s human rights in the Philippines;
Experience in organizing multi-stakeholder meetings and coordinating with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, civil society and non-governmental organisations, women groups, and local communities.
Experience in preparing background documents, agenda and talking points for such meetings.
Hands on experience in designing, implementing and monitoring development projects with particular experience in the areas of women peace and security a distinct advantage.

Language:

Good written and communication skills in English and fluency of national language of duty station.

Note:

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience. Interested applicants are requested to complete and attached the UNDP Personal History Form (P.11), available in our websitehttp://www.ph.undp.org/jobs/ on or before 26 October 2014. Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.