UN WOMEN Jobs - 66370- National Program Officer Consultancy

National Program Officer Consultancy

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Gaborone, BOTSWANA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-May-2016

Application Deadline :

22-May-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

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, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, 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.

In Botswana, the National Development Planning (NDP) process is currently on-going and anticipated to end mid-2016. The alignment of the NDP to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is also under discussion. Similarly, the UN is preparing its UNDAF with a timeline aligned to the NDP process. The environment for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) is encouraging. The Government has set up mechanisms to fund Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) within a Stimulus Package for priority non-mineral sectors. The government has also established an alcohol levy with revenues set aside for a Women’s Development Fund to promote women’s businesses.

Furthermore, the Government has endorsed two UN flagship joint programmes on Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Based Violence which are viewed as solid in terms of depth, relevance and impact potential.

By invitation of the Government of Botswana, UN Women will be establishing a presence in Botswana to coordinate and advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. A mission is foreseen with the aim to establish networks and mechanisms within UNDAF/UNCT and stakeholders to establish the UN Women presence.

The National Program Officer will work with the mission leader and provide support to her in setting up a UN Women presence in Botswana consistent with UN Women rules and regulations.

S/he contributes to:

Technical support and advisory role of the mission leader to mainstreaming GEWE into UNDAF, and setting up coordination mechanisms on GEWE;
Initiating strategic partnerships and representation with key stakeholders in particular the Government of Botswana, SADC secretariat, the Resident’s Coordinators office, civil society and women networks, private sector and development partners;
Contributing to knowledge and information management by drafting policy briefs and reports.

The NPO will work in close collaboration with UNFPA and other UNCT members, programme staff (in particular gender focal persons) of agencies represented in the UNCT – which has Government officials, technical advisors on GEWE, development partners and civil society ensuring successful elaboration and implementation of GEWE activities in UNDAF/UNCT activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support in the formulation of technical assistance to UNDAF/UNCT in advancing GEWE:

Collect and present background information on the political, social and economic situation in the country including support to provide technical assistance to UNCT in advancing GEWE;
Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations for the mission leader;
Identify sources, and gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers.

Support to strategic partnership building and representation:

Support organization of visits, meetings for mission leader and consultants to key stakeholders on GEWE;
Participate in GEWE thematic group meetings, UNDAF thematic working groups and preparation of inputs to such meetings;
Organize meetings and briefing packs as well as summarize meeting proceedings;
Support resource mobilization efforts of the Mission leader.

Administrative and Financial Management Support to the mission leader:

Liaise with operations at regional office to ensure maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
Take timely corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
Create requisitions in Atlas for development projects registers of goods receipt in Atlas;
Make budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers;
Assist in the preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas by elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Facilitation of Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing:

Support mission leader in developing policy briefs and regular reports.

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:

Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Lead teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Focuses on impact and result for the partners and responds positively to feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

5 years of progressively responsible experience with Government of Gaborone or the UN in Gender and development.

Language:

Fluency in English is required;
Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.