UN WOMEN Jobs - 16659- Regional Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) Special

Regional Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2010

Application Deadline :

30-May-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

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 of governments to incorporating GRB in budgetary processes in over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, LAC, Arab States and CEE/CIS. Work on GRB in the Pacific region has only just started in commencing with the EC/UN Partnership on Gender Equality for Development and Peace, a UNIFEM programme focusing on ensuring gender equality is effectively incorporated in the new Aid Effectiveness agenda.

UNIFEM's strategic plan for 2008-2013 includes a specific outcome on GRB. [Outcome 4: Increase in the number of budgets processes that fully incorporate gender equality.] To achieve this, UNIFEM Pacific plans to deepen its GRB programme, advocate the adoption of GRB in priority sectors of government, explore opportunities for introducing and enabling GRB at Local Government Level and broadening partnerships with multilateral and bilateral development agencies.

UNIFEM sub regional strategy in the Pacific includes the introduction and advocacy for adoption of GRB, in the first instance aimed at tracking resource flows through the national budgets and aid flows in support of the implementation of national gender equality commitments and monitoring development results and outcomes at national and sub-national levels (provincial and local government levels). In this context, the use of GRB will complement and further reinforce UNIFEM’s work in specific thematic areas, including aid effectiveness, women’s access to justice and economic and social services, ending Sexual Gender Based Violence in times of peace and conflict and effectively incorporating GRB in the budgets of National responses to HIV&AIDS (and other sectors as seen relevant and appropriate to country needs and priorities). UNIFEM Pacific plans to develop a Pacific Regional Centre of Excellence in Papua New Guinea to respond to local, national and regional capacity development demands and needs, and to ensure the development of associated training and toolkits specific to the situation, structures and systems prevailing in the different countries of the Pacific sub-Region.

In this context, UNIFEM seeks to hire a Regional GRB Specialist to provide technical support to ongoing GRB initiatives and future programmes and projects in the Pacific region and to facilitate the phased expansion and consolidation of these efforts throughout the region.

The role of the Regional Specialist will entail brokering partnerships with national stakeholders, UN country teams and development partners and developing a realistic time frame for the achievement of the above.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

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 and sub-national development 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 their implementation and monitoring
Identify innovative approaches and opportunities to address gaps in relation to planning and budgeting with governments and in association with UNIFEM’s key projects in the areas of strengthening women’s economic rights and security, addressing gender equality in the context of HIV and AIDS, EVAW and in conflict prevention and recovery programmes
Build strategic partnerships in support of GRB efforts at country, sub regional and regional levels with UN country teams, national and regional institutions
Mobilize resources in support of UNIFEM's GRB programming
Foster dialogue amongst all relevant stakeholders

Provides Technical Support focusing on achievement of the following results:

Facilitate results based planning and implementation of GRB programme portfolio
Provide Technical Assistance 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

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 and other strategic processes
Generate technical and progress reports as necessary

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 and other communication means
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 and support adaptation of training and tools as needed
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 and contributes to the integration of principles and practice of GRB in sectoral programmes through the key programmes of UNIFEM and other partner agencies.

Competencies

Technical/Functional:

Substantive knowledge and understanding of gender equality issues and more broadly, human rights issues and economic governance
Substantial 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

Strategic planning

Managerial:

Proven ability to establish, manage and monitor programmes effectively (substantively and financially)
Experience in providing TA in programming application in the GRB principles and practice

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

Education:

Advanced university degree (masters or equivalent), with a focus on Gender and Economics, Finance, Public Policy, International development or related discipline

Experience:

At least 7 years of direct experience in programmes on gender equality and women's rights
Working experience in the Pacific Region would be an asset.
In depth understanding of gender issues and development challenges in the region.
Specific expertise on Gender Responsive Budgeting
Experience in results-based and rights-based programming and management of multi country programmes
Strong familiarity with UN agencies and sub regional and regional organizations
Proven advocacy, analytical and writing skills

How To Apply

Applications should be submitted on line and must include an up to date UNIFEM Personal History Form (P11) posted at http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc.