UN WOMEN Jobs - 5505- Country Programme Manager

Country Programme Manager

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kinshasa, CONGO, DEM. REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

ALD International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

ALD-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English French

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 is the women's fund at the United Nations with the objective of providing financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies that promote women's human rights, political participation and economic security. Within the UN system, UNIFEM promotes gender equality and links women's issues and concerns to national, regional and global agendas by fostering collaboration and providing technical expertise on gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment strategies.

UNIFEM established its presence in the DRC in 2003. Prior to this UNIFEM had supported Congolese women participation in the Inter-Congolese Dialogue in 2002 which resulted in the signing of the Global and Inclusive Peace Agreement that sanctioned the transition. The political transition period which was marked by political violence and riots in the country with potential spill over in neighboring countries culminated in the holding of a democratic election in 2006.

The goal of UNIFEM's current programme in the DRC (2008-2011) is to contribute to addressing gender justice and equity through sustained peace building efforts and the promotion of good governance. As such, the following areas have been identified as strategic areas for UNIFEM's support:

Reduction of feminized poverty;
Support women participation in decision making (including continued capacity building of women leaders and engendering the decentralization process);
Building women solidarity through strengthening their networks and coordination structures;
Support efforts to ending gender based violence and HIV/AIDS

In order to reinforce its Office in the DRC, UNIFEM seeks to recruit a programme manager with proven expertise in program development, project management, partnership building and resource mobilization oversee UNIFEM work in the DRC.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Program Director (RPD) the Programme Manager will work to ensure effective execution of UNIFEM's mandate and responsibility for the advancement of the Human rights of women in the DRC. As such the Programme Manager will be responsible for the following :

Strategic Policy coordination and Partnerships:

monitor trends and issues affecting women in the DRC and develop strategic responses to opportunities and challenges including The formulation of plan, strategies and activities in line with UNIFEM strategic plan 2008-2011;
enhance UNIFEM's participation in inter-agency and inter-governmental processes. As such the country program manager will participate in head of agency meetings as well as in consultation meetings with donors to ensure that the principles of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment are integrated in the UN and donors' development programmes in the DRC and resourced
provide leadership and quality oversight over the efforts to strengthen Government's institutions , especially the Ministry of women to effectively implement national development strategies;
work in developing strong partnerships with a wide range of constituencies, including NGOs and the Women Movement
build strong partnership with donors agencies based in the DRC to ensure synergy or efforts in line with the Paris declaration Principles

Programme Management :

provide close guidance and direction to ensure strategic focus, result orientation and effectiveness and efficiency in all aspects of UNIFEM's operations and programmes;
monitor ongoing projects both substantively and financially to ensure efficient and timely delivery and realization of results;
provide guidance and advice to the RPD on UNIFEM priorities in the DRC;
work closely with government and national partners to ensure ownership and delivery of programs in line with national priorities and the UNIFEM Sub regional;
manage , coordinate and provide guidance for reporting to ensure efficient implementation and compliance with UNIFEM and donor requirements;
develop effective and innovative strategies for resource mobilization , network with other UN agencies, donors and international organizations working in and outside the DRC;
support the documentation of UNIFEM's experience in the DRC to inform the organization learning challenges

Financial and Human Resources Management:

ensure effective management and delivery of programme resources in line with UNIFEM regulations and procedures to track project budgets and expenditures.
perform any other duties that support and strengthen UNIFEM's role in the DRC as assigned by the Regional Program Director.

Competencies

Good inter-personal and diplomacy skills;
Capacity to write clearly and concisely;
Ability to take decision under pressure and to deal with matters that are politically and cultural sensitive;
Ability to work across multi-cultural context and build partnership to ensure achievement of results in a post conflict environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in social sciences, political or international affairs with emphasis on gender related issues.
At least seven years work experience in any of the following fields: Human rights, humanitarian issues, rehabilitation, gender and development, economic security, strategic planning with a specific focus on gender, working in countries in crisis.
Technical Expertise : Gender analysis and mainstreaming in programming and implementation, knowledge of legal and policy framework on women's right/roles and analytical skills particularly in post conflict environment and peace building.
Knowledge of DRC country reality including challenges to gender equality and women empowerment.
Experience of having managed an organization in the relevant field an advantage.
Working experience with UN joint programming frameworks and result-based management systems is a particular advantage.
Experience with international organizations, the UN system and civil society is particularly desirable.
Fluency in French and English. Working knowledge of local language (Kiswahili, Lingala) is highly desirable.