UN WOMEN Jobs - 11715- National Program Officer

National Program Officer

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Amman, Jordan

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2009

Application Deadline :

31-Aug-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NOC (Fixed Term Appointment)

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year (Renewable)

Languages Required :

Arabic 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

UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It is established in 1976, it provides financial and technical assistance to innovative approaches aimed at fostering women's empowerment and gender equality. Today the organization's work touches the lives of women and girls in more than 100 countries. UNIFEM serves as a catalyst to ensure mainstreaming women rights in policy and programs levels, as well as it plays an innovative and a catalytic role in the UN system making the voices of women heard at the United Nations — to highlight critical issues and advocate for the implementation of existing commitments made to women.

In line with fulfilling UNIFEM’s strategic objectives, UNIFEM Arab States’ program focuses on three main areas strengthening women’s political participation, ending violence against women and ensuring women’s economic security and rights in the region.

Under the supervision of the Regional Program Director (RPD), the incumbent acts as the manager and advisor on regional initiatives and programming in the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO). This will include but is not limited to program development, project management, resource mobilization, partnership building and outreach, and dissemination of results and communication. The National Program Officer (NPO) will also be responsible for the Resource Mobilization Strategy & Donor outreach of ASRO and will advise filed offices in that regard. Additionally, the NPO will be focal point & reporitory for all substantive programmatic advice to all staff in ASRO & field offices, which includes Results Based Management, Project Implementation as per UN rules and regulations, and resource mobilization. In this regard, the NPO will also act as the Knowledge Manager / Learning Manager for the ASRO, thereby ensuring capacity growth of staff as required, as well as dissemination and documentation of key results from the ASRO.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Under the supervision of the RPD, the National Program Officer will strategically lead UNIFEM’s regional programs in the SRO through the following :

· Undertake analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the countries of the region and review of existing UNIFEM documents (Strategic Plan, Sub regional Strategy, Evaluation Reports)

· Design and formulate regional projects/programs translating global & regional UNIFEM priorities into regional interventions.

· Ensure coherence & interconnection of regional program to UNIFEM country specific programming.

· Supervise implementation of all regional programs.

· Provides strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the program, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNIFEM rules and regulations.

· Ensure effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.

· Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation as required. Constantly monitor and analyze the program environment to ensure timely readjustment of program.

· Follow- up on audit recommendations specific to program implementation. Ensure timely reporting of all exceptions.

· Assist in the preparation of analytical and regular progress reports to donors and for UNIFEM Headquarters and as required.

· Participate as a member of Senior Management Team of Arab States Regional Office.

2. Provides advisory support in Program /Project Management

· Provide guidance to ASRO & field staff on Results Based Management applications.

· Act as a focal point and resource on program/project management, utilizing UN rules and regulations.

· Ensure staff stay up to date on program/project management requirements.

· Provide continuous learning in areas of program/project management as required in ASRO & field offices.

3. Support the RPD in the implementation of the ASRO partnerships and resource mobilization strategies to achieve program outcomes:

· Coordinate partnerships with other UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc. to ensure successful implementation of program outcomes.

· Organize high-impact advocacy campaigns in collaboration with key partners.

· Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNIFEM, country needs and donors’ priorities.

· Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

· Maintain contact and coordinates with other UN Agencies within the CCA/UNDAF processes and other interagency initiatives to identify possibilities for joint programming.

· Prepare ASRO Regional Strategy and implementation plan, advocate with staff to ensure its implementation, determine communication methods needed for effective RM; act as Resource Mobilization focal point in ASRO

4. Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management :

· Assigned as Knowledge Manager/Learning Manager of the ASRO

· Identify sources of information related to policy issues. Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to program goals.

· Collaborate with the government, academic institutions and other strategic partners to ensure facilitation of knowledge building

· Establish advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks.

· Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

· Assume Learning Manager role- identifying the staff training needs, and preparation of Learning Plan.

· Organize trainings for the operations, program/ projects staff in collaboration with the Operations Manager.

5. Other responsibilities:

· Acts as Officer-in Charge in the absence of the Regional Program Director and Deputy Regional Program Director

· Perform other duties as assigned by the RPD or the DRPD.

Competencies

· Professionalism– Knowledge of the Organization’s rules and regulations as they pertain to the incumbent’s area of responsibility.

· Interpersonal Skills – Good interpersonal skills; ability in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Diplomatic & partnership skills.

· Communication – Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively.

· Planning and Organizing – Uses time efficiently. Ability to prioritize assignments and allocate appropriate time for completing work. Strictly observes deadlines. Works well under pressure. Ability to handle a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner.

· Commitment to Continuous Learning – Initiative and willingness to learn new skills.

· Technological Awareness – Possesses excellent computer skills to facilitate work

· Trust–Reputation for dealing honestly and openly with staff. Respected by peers, clients and staff and high integrity.

· Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting

· Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, mobilize resources

· Strong understanding of & demonstrated commitment to women rights.

· Approaches work with initiative & dynamism.

· Works as a good team player, demonstrating ability to manage staff.

Required Skills and Experience

· Master’s Degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, International Development Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

· Proficiency in written and spoken English and proficiency in Arabic is an asset.

· 5 years of relevant experience of working in the area of gender/development at the national/international level, knowledge and experience of the UN would be an asset

· Experience of working with Governments, UN Agencies, NGOs and women’s groups etc. in the region.

· International exposure in the area of gender/development would be an asset.

• The post is for Jordanian Nationals Only
• UNIFEM requires a cover letter, CV and UN P11 form
• For more information kindly visit our website at: www.unifem.org.jo