UN WOMEN Jobs - 18093- Regional Programme Director

Regional Programme Director

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Aug-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year (renewable)

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

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM -part of UN Women ) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to:

support innovative and catalytic programming that assists Member States to advance women's empowerment and gender equality in line with national, regional and global priorities;
promote gender equality and women's empowerment across the UN development cooperation system.

UNIFEM (part of UN Women) relies on a wide range of partnerships in fulfilling its mandate: government and inter-governmental organizations, civil society organizations - including women's non-governmental and grassroots organizations and networks - academic and multilateral partners, as well as growing cooperation with the private sector, the media and faith-based organizations. Its support is aligned with commitments to gender equality and women's human rights as agreed in the Millennium Declaration and its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Beijing Platform for Action, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 1820.

Building on guidance provided by General Assembly and other inter-governmental resolutions, UNIFEM's programme directions and results framework are spelled out in its four-year Strategic Plans (most recently, its Strategic Plan 2008 - 2013), which are approved by the UNDP-UNFPA Executive Board http://www.unifem.org/resources/item_detail.php?ProductID=100 . The Plan places an emphasis on deepening UNIFEM's support to countries to implement their commitments to gender equality, particularly in the areas of: enhancing women's economic security and rights; reducing the prevalence of violence against women and HIV/AIDS; promoting gender equality in democratic governance in stable and fragile states.

The East and Horn of Africa Sub-Regional Office is one of the four sub-regional offices of UNIFEM in Africa and covers all countries of the IGAD Member States (Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya) as well as Tanzania which falls under the East Africa Community. The sub-region covers countries in post conflict situation as well as complex emergencies.

The RPD leads the sub-regional office (SRO) which is the front line of UNIFEM (part of UN Women) programming on the ground and responsible for all UNIFEM programmes and partnerships in the sub-region. The four main functions that the RPD fulfils are:

Critical Programming and Management functions in the sub-region;
Ensuring high quality, on-demand policy advice, technical support and coordination with key partners;
Conceptualizing, guiding, and/or mobilizing resources and attention for innovative and catalytic programming on gender equality and women's empowerment with strategic partners and in line with the UNIFEM Strategic Plan;
Staff and Resource Management, in the sub-region.

Under the general direction of the Executive Director for UNIFEM (now part of UN Women) and under the primary supervision of the Chief of the Africa Section, the Regional Programme Director will be responsible for the above mentioned duties with specific political, technical and managerial functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Forges and maintains strategic and innovative partnerships and agreements with leading national and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations that are pivotal for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.

Fosters and convenes high visibility collaboration between governments, civil society, UN organizations and donor organizations on key and emerging priorities for accelerating progress toward gender equality.
Conceptualizes and oversees implementation of strategic and comprehensive advocacy and communications strategies that increase visibility for gender equality and women's human rights issues in key national and sub-regional venues and media and that stimulate a response to violations of women's human rights.
Ensuring high quality, on-demand policy advice, technical support and coordination with key partners.
Advises governments, NGOs, UNCT and bilateral partners, on implementation of key policy commitments to gender equality and women's empowerment at sub-national, national and regional levels, including implementation of CEDAW and Security Council resolutions 1325 and 1820; development of gender equality policies and mechanisms; mainstreaming gender equality in National Development Strategies and national or sectoral budgets; and related initiatives.
Conceptualizes and oversees production of high quality knowledge products and processes - from resource guides to electronic media to technical working groups - that make accessible cutting edge knowledge and thinking on the "how to" of achieving gender equality as well as on new and emerging issues.
Oversees the development, implementation, and resource mobilization for innovative and catalytic sub-regional and national programmes that UNIFEM is involved (including joint programming with UN partners) ensuring that these are in line with national and regional priorities; with the overall strategy agreed to by UNCTs, the UN Resident Coordinator, and UN regional coordination mechanisms; and with the UNIFEM Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011.
As needed, initiates and oversees management and monitoring of harmonized programming approaches, including gender equality basket funds or thematic funds.
Ensures high quality and timely monitoring and results-based reporting on programmes in which UNIFEM is involved - including donor reports, UNIFEM annual and six-month reports, etc. - and that an effective system is in place to generate this in line with UNIFEM results-based reporting guidelines and to make reports easily accessible to Stakeholders.
Manage all aspects of programme implementation and monitoring of two-year UNIFEM sub-regional strategies that contribute to UNIFEM's Strategic Plan and provide overall programming guidance and an accountability framework for staff in the region.

High quality management of staff, and resources in the sub-region. The Regional Programme Director is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of UNIFEM financial and human resources in the Regional Office including:

People Management: In line with the UN rules and regulations pertaining to human resources management, the RPD ensures effective management, career development, and security of staff in the regional office and country programmes which are under the ambit of the sub-regional office.
Financial Management: In line with the principles of the delegation of authority, the RPD ensures proper financial management of and accurate and timely reporting on UNIFEM's resources. Strategic Management: The RPD ensures effective and efficient management of partnerships with UN, government and NGO partners.
Matrix Management: ensure and prepare products and results, handovers and consultations are prepared; effective and efficient management of partnerships.

Competencies

Functional:

Has substantive and demonstrated knowledge and professional experience and record of accomplishment in the area of gender equality and women's human rights ;
Has proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice ;
Has a successful track record in developing strong partnerships with donors and mobilizing significant resources for development assistance programmes;
Has ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
Has ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.

Behavioural:

Leadership and Management Skills:

Has strong management skills with a proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including the ability to effectively lead, develop, mentor, coach and evaluate staff .

Knowledge Management :

Demonstrates ability to use knowledge management strategies to promote effective decision-making, and a coherent approach to policy making, and intra/inter-organizational collaboration, applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNIFEM.

Managing Relationships:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; Displays a high level of respect, diplomacy and tact when dealing with government officials, donors and other stakeholders; Excellent interpersonal skills, able to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment. Ability to lead teams effectively and to solve conflicts.

Managing Complexity:

Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Outstanding coordination skills, with ability to manage multiple activities concurrently, works under pressure, and to tight deadlines.

Communication Skills:

Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills, including ability to convey complex concepts to different stakeholders in a clear and concise style. Proven networking and teambuilding skills.

Judgment/Decision-Making:

Demonstrates mature judgment and initiative, proven ability to provide strategic direction in practice area and independent judgment and discretion in advising on major policy issues and challenges

Required Skills and Experience

Education :

Advanced degree or equivalent in social sciences and /or any relevant disciplines related to international development or international relations, international legal studies, human rights, gender equality and women's human rights.

Experience:

At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in managing development programmes, including at least 8 years of experience in programmes related to gender equality at national, regional and international levels.
At least 5 years field-based experience with an international organization.
Knowledge of the region covered by the SRO.

Language requirements:

Excellent written and spoken English.

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UNIFEM Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UNIFEM P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.