Background

After a decade of violent conflict, the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia has led to the emergence of fledgling states and entities (in most cases former provinces) in South East Europe (SEE)[1]. Now, five to ten years after the conflict has ended, post-conflict state-building is still ongoing and these states and entities are considered to be in a transitional phase leading to accession to the European Union (EU).[2] The progress made during this transitional phase varies among the countries and entities in the region, but all of them are facing a degree of instability related to divisions between ethnic groups and unresolved constitutional or border issues. To ensure women’s inclusion in the peace-building process in the South East Europe, as well as to facilitate the achievement of their economic and human security, UNIFEM is implementing its SEE Programme for 2005-2008 which builds on the achievements, partnerships and groundwork supported by UNIFEM in the region.
 
Under the auspices of its SEE Programme, and with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), UNIFEM is launching the project Accountability for Protection of Women’s Human Rights on a sub-regional level. The geographical project area covers Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia including Kosovo where issues of ethnic federalism and self-government, slow implementation of peace processes and agreements, complexities of government structures, unresolved status issues and urban–rural divide, stand in the way of democratization and stabilization.
 
In the context of processes of transition and European integration in the Western Balkans, strengthening laws and policies aimed at advancing and protecting women’s rights, but moreover, ensuring their effective implementation, remains is a key challenge. Within this context UNIFEM has identified two specific areas of intervention for the project: A. Gender Equality in Constitutional Reform and B. Implementation of Women’s Economic Rights (with a narrower focus more specifically defined in each country). Proposed activities are anchored in national-level legal frameworks and processes, including Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS), and plans of action to advance gender equality, as well as recently adopted gender equality laws, and are guided by relevant international legal frameworks, namely, the Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform of Action, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as well as international human rights treaties (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants respectively on Civil and Political Rights and Social, Economic and Cultural Rights) and their jus cogens principles.  
 
The purpose of the project is twofold, on the one hand to strengthen the commitment, capacity, and accountability of key government institutions to support gender equality (GE) and women’s human rights (WHR) through partnership with civil society, and on the other hand to enhance the capacity of gender equality advocates to use global frameworks, mechanisms and tools to advance a human rights agenda in the target countries. The project objectives will be achieved through interventions at the national/local level, as well as through sub-regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

[1]. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia including Kosovo
[2]. The EU's relations with the SEE countries are anchored in the EU Stabilisation and Association process. This involves agreements establishing that the countries may one day join the EU and providing for preferential trade measures (with a view to creating a free-trade area between the EU and the countries of the Western Balkans), economic, financial and budgetary assistance, aid to refugees and displaced persons, approximation of national legislation to Community legislation, cooperation in such sectors as justice and home affairs, and political dialogue. In June 2004, Croatia was granted the status of a candidate country to European Union membership.

Duties and Responsibilities

In coordination with the Gender Adviser and under the direct supervision and guidance of the SEE Programme Manager (PM) as well as the overall supervision of the RPD UNIFEM CEE Office, the Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation and management of the sub-regional CIDA funded project, and for supporting its linkages to UNIFEM’s SEE Programme. Specifically, the Project Manager will be responsible for:
  •  Developing and continuously updating the implementation plan for the project and ensure its timely execution;
  • Drafting of other of strategic and working documents;
  • Undertaking continuous monitoring and evaluation of project’s progress at the national and sub-regional level, preparing progress reports and correspondence as necessary, and as per the request of the SEE PM and/or UNIFEM’s Regional CIS Office and HQ;
  • Participating in relevant inter-agency, government, donor and CSO meetings on behalf of UNIFEM project as well as seeking/strengthening partnerships with natural partners on project components such as the ILO and the Council of Europe Venice Commission;
  • Ensuring timely information exchange with government, NGO and relevant project partners, as necessary;
  • Managing the project’s financial resources in accordance with UNIFEM/UNDP rules and regulations;
  • Reporting to the SEE PM/CEE RPD on regular basis on project developments and activities and sharing them with the Gender Adviser and CIDA representatives;
  • Monitor political trends in the sub-region that may affect the project, appraise the SEE PM of developments and plan for changes;
  • Supporting the project implementing partners to achieve results in a timely manner through provision of technical guidance and support for capacity development;
  • Supporting information collection & dissemination, documentation, capturing of lessons learned, outreach and advocacy;
  • Undertaking missions, as needed for the project’s purposes
  • Ensuring linkages with the SEE Programme and other UNIFEM initiatives in the region;
  • Backstopping and contributing to activities of the SEE Programme as requested and guided by the SEE PM in coordination with the Gender Adviser

Competencies

  • Regional experience in one of the countries or the sub region
  • Demonstrated interest and/or experience in gender work, initiative and sound judgment, dedication to the UN principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different nationalities and cultural background; ability to work under conditions of extreme pressure and difficult living conditions.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team.
  • Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
  • Fluency in English and knowledge of one of the local languages is an asset
  • Good computer skills in Window environment, knowledge of Internet communications and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Required Skills and Experience

  • Post graduate degree in international law, development studies, and/or gender studies and/or international relations, or relevant discipline.
  • A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, previous employment experience with international organisations is an asset as is previous work on constitutional/and or economic/labour rights issues