Background

UNIFEM has been supporting Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) initiatives since 1997 through programming, global advocacy and building strategic partnerships with national governments, civil society, UN agencies and other multi lateral development organizations. In this process, UNIFEM has contributed to building interest, capacity and commitment to incorporating GRB in budgetary processes in over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, LAC, Arab States and CEE/CIS. In addition to the cross regional programmes managed at HQ level, UNIFEM sub regional and country offices are supporting a number of other initiatives at regional, sub-regional or country levels.

As of 2008, UNIFEM's strategic plan for 2008-2011 includes a specific outcome on GRB. [Outcome 4: Increase in the number of budgets processes that fully incorporate gender equality.] To achieve this, UNIFEM envisions deepening its GRB programmes, strengthening application of GRB in priority sectors and broadening partnerships with multilateral and bilateral development agencies.

UNIFEM sub regional strategy in North Africa  includes the deepening of the GRB work initiated in Morocco since 2002 aimed at developing the GRB tool by applying it to specific sectors such as the combat of VAW, the promotion of women's employment and access to justice, enhancing the linkages between GRB work at the national and local levels, promoting the initiative in other countries of the sub-region, namely in Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania and developing a Centre of Excellence in Morocco to respond to capacity development demands in the area of GRB from countries in the sub region and beyond. In this context, UNIFEM North Africa is seeking to hire a regional GRB advisor to provide technical support to the GRB efforts in North Africa and facilitate the expansion and deepening of these efforts throughout the region. The role of the Regional Advisor will entail brokering partnerships with national stakeholders, UN country teams and donors.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Programme Development and partnership building
• Technical Support
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Knowledge and capacity development

 Programme Development and partnership building focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Strategically position the GRB work in national contexts in line with the reform agendas in public sector, budgeting, aid management, and UN reform at country and sub regional levels
• Elaborate coherent and comprehensive programmes for the sub region and oversee its implementation and monitoring
• Identify innovative approaches and opportunities to address gaps in relation to planning and budgeting
• Build strategic partnerships in support of GRB efforts at country, sub regional and regional levels with UN country teams, national and regional institution
• Mobilize resources in support of UNIFEM's GRB programming
• Foster dialogue amongst multi-stakeholders
  

2. Provides Technical Support focusing on achievement of the following results:

         Facilitate results based planning and implementation of GRB programme portfolio

• Provide technical guidance to programme partners and staff in the implementation of GRB programmes within the sub-region and facilitate coordination and sharing within the region.
• Identify and mobilize available technical expertise in support of GRB programmes
  Design and implement capacity building activities for programme partners and staff and facilitate opportunities in the sub region
• Support the application of GRB to address gender gaps within UNIFEM’s strategic priority areas (Poverty, VAW, HIV/AIDs, and Governance)
• Elaborate a multi stakeholder, multi level approach for GRB programming (at national, sectoral and local levels),
• Develop partnerships with experts, academic institutions, civil society for sustainable capacity building
  

3.   Ensures Monitoring and Reporting focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Set up and maintain a mechanism for tracking progress on GRB related indicators in the sub-regional and programme log frames
• Oversee tracking of annual indicators in relation to (budget call circulars, changes in budget allocations for gender equality, parliament debates)
• Generate technical and progress reports as necessary
  

4.    Knowledge and capacity development focusing on achievement of the following results:

•  Document approaches and lessons learnt through GRB initiatives and contribute to UNIFEM’s corporate forums on GRB
• Facilitate and contribute to South-South knowledge sharing and dissemination within and beyond the sub region through meetings, publications..etc.
• Build and support a network of institutions and experts that are leading the GRB work within the region
• Maintain a database of GRB tools that are tailored for the region
• Ensure the visibility of the programme through contribution to UNIFEM reports and publications and relevant global, regional and sub regional meetings
  

Impact of Results

The key results of the post strengthen UNIFEM’s contributions to the national policy dialogue and enhance the policy impact of UNIFEM programmes and projects. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design of programmes, and creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. The post increases visibility of UNIFEM in the discussion about gender and macro economic policies and analysis.

Competencies

• Substantive knowledge and understanding of gender equality issues and more broadly, human rights issues and economic governance
• Technical expertise of GRB
• Leadership - Strong leadership and advocacy skills
• Knowledge Management- support documentation of lessons learnt and development of tools
• Teamwork - Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

• Proven ability to manage programmes effectively (substantively and financially)
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external actors - cultivates productive relationships with donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Coordination – ability to support the sub regional programme and other UNIFEM GRB programme in the sub region

Required Skills and Experience