UN WOMEN Jobs - 4930- Regional Programme Manager

Regional Programme Manager

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

ALD International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Jun-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

ALD-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Two years

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

In the context of a new programme for UNIFEM Pacific Subregional Office funded by AusAID, the Regional Program Manager (RPM) is the Team Leader with overall responsibility for the program management and implementation in the region, covering PNG, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This includes oversight of all regional GEGP staff and National Program Coordinators; the coordination of inputs and advice from Regional and National Technical Advisory Groups; and ensuring that strategic directions for GEPG are implemented in accordance with decisions made at Regional and National Steering Groups. The RPM is responsible for program inception, mobilisation, launching, publicity, rigorous oversight and troubleshooting, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, financial and human resource management for a team of 16 staff with three national and in PNG, three local Program Coordination Units. The RPM will liaise directly with AusAID and other strategic and funding partners, with regional inter-governmental organisations, National Governments (National Women's Machinery, Parliaments, Electoral Commissions).

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage and coordinate Program inception
Oversee recruitment of the Regional Technical Support Team and national and local coordinators
Establish the Regional Program Coordination Unit
Convene and Chair the Regional Steering Group
Oversee the National Steering Groups and TAGs (PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu)
Ensure decisions made at Regional and National Steering Groups are implemented
Ensure inputs and advice from Regional and National Technical Advisory Groups are shared with Regional and National Steering Groups and program staff and partners
Oversight and coordinate all Program visits to Pacific countries and the identification of key partners, formalisation of partnerships and a phased program start-up
Provide full program briefing and updates to International and Regional Organisations, Heads of Government and Civil Society
Negotiate joint programming with multilateral, bilateral, regional and national organisations working on governance and leadership programs
Develop and formalize MOUs with governments, regional and national program partners as required
With the support of UNIFEM Pacific Operations and Finance and Staff, establish three (3) National Program Coordination Units (Vanuatu, Solomons, PMG and three (3) Local Program Units (in locations TBC in PNG)
With the NWM of PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, recruit national and local program coordinators and administration support staff to operate the NCUs and LCUs
Liaise with UNDP in PNG, Fiji and Samoa for joint programming on gender equality in governance
Ensure optimal synergies and open communication on all AusAID and UNIFEM governance and leadership policies and projects in the Pacific Region
Liaise with PIFS, SPC and other multilateral and bilateral donor partners to harmonize efforts to strengthen GEPG
Operationalise the project M&E Framework, Research Framework and Communications Strategy with the support of the technical support team and partners
Develop the project planning and reporting frameworks and formats and establish policies and procedures for production of quality and timely 6-monthly and annual reviews, reports and work plans at all levels of implementation
Advocate Gender Equality in Pacific Governance with regional inter-governmental bodies and national government bodies responsible for parliaments and local level government
Ensure the support and work in solidarity with national women leaders (national and regional) and support their lobbying, advocacy, representation and media presence

Competencies

Excellent management, leadership and team-building skills
Proven multi-country and cross-cultural negotiation and Program management skills
Ability to lead and supervise a cohesive team of technical and administration support staff and build their capacity
Competent in managing risks in complex field settings and in program implementation
Comfortable with Pacific wide travel and confident in high level communications and negotiations to establish and progress program implementation
Familiar with project accounting principles and practice, and competent in the preparation of financial reports for donors (with the assistance of a qualified accountant)

Required Skills and Experience

Masters degree in Political Science, Gender and Development Studies or Development Management
A minimum of 7 years of experience in management of large-scale development assistance projects (especially in leadership/electoral/parliamentary projects)
Experience in high level negotiations with donor partners and national governments and regional inter-governmental bodies
Extensive knowledge of the Pacific Islands government systems and political economy
Familiarity with the Pacific Women's Movement and Pacific Civil Society Organisations
Skill in gender mainstreaming and a Rights Based Approach to development
High level skills in ICT applications
Familiarity with the UN System and national government and civil society implementation of global standards on Gender Equality
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.