Background

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women 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. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women is mandated to lead and coordinate United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of national priorities and commitments, building effective partnerships with government, civil society and other relevant actors.

In Nepal, UN Women is currently implementing its 2014-17 Strategic Note and Annual Workplan (country programme) which incorporates several thematic areas, including economic empowerment, governance and leadership, ending violence against women and girls, and peace and security. Across all of its work, UN Women applies its normative and coordination mandates, and works through strategic partnerships and on generating knowledge and evidence. UN Women is also engaged in the humanitarian response following the tragic earthquakes of 2015.

UN Women Nepal aims to expand and strengthen its support in the area of peace and security through a number of initiatives that focus on community, district and national level interventions. UN Women’s Government of Finland funded project “Strengthening Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Nepal: Towards Implementation of National Action Plan on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820” is among the new initiatives to be implemented within the strengthened peace and security programme. The project covers three clusters of districts (Far West with a central presence covering the Kathmandu Valley). The overall goal is to strengthen implementation of the Nepal Action Plan on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 through innovative strategies that promote women’s participation in peace, security and governance processes.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• to enhance the collective capability of national and local level government and other relevant stakeholders to implement and monitor the NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820;
• to economically and socially empower conflict affected women and former combatants in three districts through comprehensive assessment of their needs and their operating environment, and innovative programmes; and
• to enhance the leadership and participation of women in key decision-making structures in the project districts.

UN Women will be responsible for leading the three outcome areas of the project. The expected peace impact of the particular area will be visible through strengthened implementation of action plans on women, peace and security that bolster women’s leadership and participation in peacebuilding, and results in greater prevention of and response to their security concerns.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Unit Head (Peace and Security) of UN Women and in close coordination with Women Development Officer (WDO), the Field Project Officer will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project activities in the district. The Field Project Officer will facilitate and coordinate with government institutions, UN agencies, local bodies and NGO partners ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. S/he will work in close collaboration with Peace and Security Unit to exchange information, ensure consistent service delivery, and work in a proactive manner for the cause of women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Level of Responsibility/Accountability: The Field Project Officer will have the overall responsibility for the implementation of the project in the particular district, Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB), and implementation of national gender and social inclusion plans and policies. S/he will be responsible for effective management of the project and budgets focusing on quality control from project’s inception to project completion.

Coordination responsibilities: The Field Project Officer will be responsible for performing the coordination role with various government agencies especially local government offices, such as Women and Children Office (WCO), District Administration Office (DAO), District Development Committee (DDC), Local Peace Committee (LPC), District Coordination Committee (DCC) of the NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 and the donor. The Field Project Officer will work in project teams with the various local stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Oversee the day-to-day implementation of project activities;
• Undertake regular planning, monitoring and reporting of the project activities including facilitation of the evaluation exercise;
• Develop and maintain effective relations with concerned partners and counterparts;
• Support on procurement, administration and financial management of the project;
• Coordinate with the Women and Children Office (WCO).

Oversee the day-to-day implementation of project activities:

• Prepare detailed monthly, quarterly and annual work plans and budget of the district and get them approved in a timely manner;
• Ensure timely implementation of the district level project activities in accordance with the work plan;
• Monitor and supervise the district level activities implemented for the achievement of intended results;
• Keep abreast of gender responsive peacebuilding issues and dynamics in Nepal which will impact on the delivery of the project and potential follow-on programming, and provide regular updates to the Unit Head (Peace and Security);
• Carry out frequent context analysis, peacebuilding needs, conflict analysis in various stage of the project.

Undertake regular planning, monitoring and reporting of the project activities including facilitation of the evaluation exercise:

• Contribute to the development of Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) framework for the project and support full implementation of the MER system;
• Contribute to the application and up-gradation of Performance Monitoring Framework;
• Facilitate regular monitoring and tracking of project results through appropriate mechanisms at district level;
• Prepare and submit progress reports to the Unit Head as per the requirements of UN Women;
• Ensure effective application of RBM tools and regular monitoring of project indicators, baselines and targets;
• In close collaboration with the Unit Head, manage and monitor identified project risks and update the status of these risks and develop contingency plans as necessary;
• Facilitate implementation of recommendations made by  Mid-Term Evaluation.

Develop and maintain effective relations with the concerned partners and counterparts:

• In close collaboration with the Unit Head, contribute to the development of appropriate working relations with key stakeholders on relevant aspects of Gender and Peacebuilding;
• Coordinate with the responsible partners of District Coordination Committee and local government offices for programme linkages, leverage and synergy;
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination with and between UN Women, partner UN agencies, and responsible partners at the district level.

Support procurement, administration and financial management  related of  the project:

• Ensure full compliance of operations with UN Women rules, regulations and policies and monitoring of achieved results in the district;
• Ensure that responsible partners maintain effective, transparent and accountable management of financial resources of the project;
• Oversee the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the district level project activities;
• Support all activities leading to the annual audit exercise and follow up of the audit recommendations in the district;
• Ensure that all project recruitment and contracting is done at the local level in accordance with UN Women standard criteria.

Coordination with the Women and Children Office (WCO):

• Work closely with the Women Development Officer to plan, implement and monitor project activities in the district;
• Contribute to the institutional development of the WCO in such areas as writing progress reports, developing project proposals, assisting in the coordination of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 related activities in the district, etc.;
• Provide a copy of project progress report to the Women Development Officer for record and future reference.

Competencies

Core values / guiding principles:

 Integrity:

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

 Professionalism:

• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation:

• Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams:

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience through promotion of participatory learning process;
• Works actively towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas; and acts on learning plans and applies newly acquired skills;
• Demonstrated team management and coordination skills;
• Experiences of managing similar projects at the district level will be an asset;
• Result oriented, forward thinking and problem solving skills;
• Ability to deliver results in a complex and hardship environment.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to perform a variety of tasks (multitasking) related to programme development and resource mobilization;
• Good knowledge of rights-based approach and results-based management;
• Ability to generate innovative ideas and approaches; and to provide inputs in developing programme policies and strategies;
• A good understanding of UN’s programme, finance and operational procedures will be an asset;
• Previous working experiences with Government agencies will be an added value.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and  positive and constructive attitudes;
• Possesses conflict management skills, remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Impact of Results:

• Effective implementation of the project in district ensuring that the project produces results as described in the project document;
• Effective and efficient coordination with the Women and Children Office, District Coordination Committee, and responsible partners to deliver timely results;
• Timely submission of  comprehensive narrative report, event report, and financial report to the Unit Head on a timely manner;
• Documentation of best practices and lessons learned for wider dissemination.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, politics, international affairs (i.e. international development studies, gender/women's studies, and human rights) or management.

Experience:

• At least five years of professional experience in human rights based project management with substantial experience in of having worked in rural areas of Nepal;
• Having relevant knowledge and expertise in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, violence against women (psychosocial counseling), women’s leadership and participation and local planning and capacity development including policy advocacy;
• Gender responsive peace building and conflict management, technical expertise on women’s right and gender equality will be a distinct advantage;
• Relevant knowledge of Nepal’s NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 is an advantage;
• Sound knowledge on social mobilization and community mediation would be an asset;
• Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments;
• A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations.

Languages:

• Written and oral proficiency in English and Nepali is required.