UN WOMEN Jobs - 38435- National Protection Program Officer

National Protection Program Officer

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One 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

UN WOMEN is dedicated to advance gender equality and women’s human rights in Afghanistan. Staff and consultants of UN WOMEN Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized. Respect for diversity and human dignity is required, as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues and partners.
UN-Women is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s human rights in Afghanistan. Staff and consultants of UN Women Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized. Respect for diversity and human dignity is required as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholder, including colleagues and partners. UN Women has revised its internal structure so as to ensure greater cohesion between the program areas, and created three pillars: EVAW, Economic and Political Empowerment, and Coordination and Advocacy. Focus areas within the EVAW Pillar, in which this position is placed, include: Implementation of CEDAW and SCR 1325; Revision of Legal Frameworks in support of non-discrimination and EVAW; Prevention – Partnerships and Advocacy, and; Response-Judiciary and Security sector reform.
The role of the newly constituted EVAW Pillar will be to support national counterparts – including the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), key line ministries, Parliamentary bodies, and civil society to support implementation of the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) and Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) in the areas of legal protection, rule of law and women’s human rights. The Pillar builds on partnerships developed with MoWA, other line ministries, local government entities in the justice, interior, social protection and health sectors, NGOs and community based groups to strengthen legal protection mechanisms that are socially and culturally sensitive to Afghanistan’s context.
The EVAW Pillar follows up the implementation of the EVAW Law and is further expanding is EVAW program in view of building capacities and providing more coherent and specialized support in the work pertaining to EVAW carried out by both government and civil society organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

To support the implementation of all activities related to Protection under the EVAW Pillar which is focused on providing support to the protection and prevention of violence against women, supporting legal reform, access to justice and gender mainstreaming processes needed to reinforce and implement the provisions of the Afghan constitution, international treaties especially the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW).

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women EVAW Pillar Deputy Program Manager and guidance of EVAW Pillar Program Manager the Protection Program Officer serves as in charge of the daily responsibilities in relation to the protection related work of the EVAW Pillar including Coordination and protection issues of the Special Funds, Linkages and establishment of partnership, Providing administrative and technical assistance in implementation of Special Funds related activities, supporting in preparing of project annual and periodic reports.

The post serves as a senior position in providing technical support to the pillar on matters of organizational integrity within the cluster, with the aim of ensuring: (i) compliance with UNWOMEN and UNDP policies and regulations; (ii) effective systems to support program delivery and growth; (iii) accountability to organizational values and principles; (iv) and enabling workplace environment in which staff potential is maximized. Programmatically, the protection program office heads the management and supervision of EVAW special Fund and supporting protection services provided by Implementing partners.

Functions/Key Results Expected:

1. Coordinate protection issues of the Special Funds, EVAW Pillar, and Serve as lead staff for certain EVAW projects as agreed upon by the EVAW Pillar Manager.

Respond, administer and coordinate with key stakeholders on violence against women (VAW) cases
Coordinate and support protection issues and concerns of EVAW SF partners by providing technical support to resolving cases, referrals, coordination, among others.
Liaise with EVAW SF partners and relevant agencies to promote implementation of common standards in Women
Protection Centers and support for victims.
In coordination with other relevant actors (UN agencies, non-government organizations, Government) advocate for
the protection of women victims of violence and their access to services.
Conduct field visits to monitor implementation of partner activities and cases as referred and when necessary.

2. Link and establish partnership with relevant national and international organizations towards effective information dissemination, and facilitate substantive coordination and sharing of insights among EVAW partners, both government and non-government

Conduct regular meetings with relevant stakeholders to ensure regular and updated coordination of activities exist to prevent overlap and duplication
Attend meetings and coordination of activities related to GBV mechanisms to ensure coordination and follow ups

3. Assist supervisor with the preparation of progress, quarterly and final project reports for submission to donors through the ACO Management.

Assist with the preparation of progress, quarterly and final reports of the projects.
Provide necessary support required to compile the annual report, donor reports and other reports as and when required.
Assist in monitoring and evaluation of project activities

4. Provide administrative and technical assistance in implementation of Special Funds programs

Assist in the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the projects supported by the Special Fund and its processes internally
Provide technical and administrative support to EVAW SF team and partners as and when requested
Perform other tasks related to program and operations of the Special Fund as and when requested by the Special Funds Coordinator.
Assist in capacity building of Special Fund partners and relevant UN WOMEM staff and facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharin.
Provide technical support to UN WOMEN management and partners in the development of information materials or tool kits on the Special Fund
Coordinate with other colleagues the integration of lessons learned into the review and planning processes of the Special Funds

Competencies

Ability to multi-task and respond simultaneously and in a timely fashion to job requirements.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Ability to work under pressure, to follow deadlines and handle numerous tasks simultaneously,
Strong and proven integrity, time management and work prioritization skills;
Understanding of UNDP/UN WOMEN procedures, rules and regulations an asset;
Ability to work effectively as a team member.
Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles and projects, implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills, written and oral
Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UN Women Afghanistan.
A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations
Ability to travel inside and outside the country

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Development Studies, Law or Social Sciences with two years of experience or Bachelor’s degree in above-mentioned field with four years relevant experience in the field of law, women's rights, elimination of violence against women with a UN agency, international or national organization, knowledge of Afghan laws, the justice system and governance

Experience:

Technical experience in gender analysis and monitoring and evaluation with participatory approaches
Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments
Capacity in planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and program coordination;
Capacity to take initiatives and work both independently and as part of a team.
Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in program development and proposal writing.
Proven technical expertise/experience in the areas of women protection centres, legal aid, women human rights and gender equality issues
Clear understanding of the effect/impact of VAW on development and the ways how to address those issues to eliminate violence against Women.
An understanding of the legal, social, cultural, and political context of Afghanistan and its relation to gender.
Proficiency in the use of computer, office software packages.