Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In Ukraine UN Women works with the government, parliament and civil society in advancing gender equality through implementation of the national and international commitments on gender equality and women’s human rights. UN Women Ukraine implements interventions towards the realization of following strategic goals: elimination of violence against women and girls; implementation of women, peace and security agenda and gender responsive governance. UN Women works closely with the UN Country Team in integration of women’s rights and gender equality in all spheres of UN work.

As part of the UN system in Ukraine, UN Women supports national partners to implement their commitments to Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS), since 2015. UN Women has been providing technical assistance to develop, implement and monitor the first and the second National Action Plans for the implementation of UN SCR 1325 as well as other relevant international and national commitments related to the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) in Ukraine. In doing so, UN Women has partnered with and provided demand driven technical assistance to the key governmental institutions of the National Machinery for the Advancement at national,  regional and local levels, and women’s civil society organisations (CSOs) and grassroots women, especially those affected by conflict and marginalized.

In 2020 the world commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark UNSCR 1325 on WPS, and Ukraine has adopted  the second National Action Plan (NAP) 1325 covering the period 2021-2025 and amended in December 2022. In April 2020, Ukraine also joined the UN Group of Friends of Women, Peace, and  Security. The renewed country commitments to the advancement of gender equality and implementation of WPS agenda create a momentum to effectively address areas of WPS agenda, which require special attention. These, according to the in line with the UN Secretary General’s Report to the UN Security Council (2020) globally include  a) radical shift in women’s meaningful participation in decision-making and in all states of peace processes, b) unconditional defense of women’s rights as part of WPS agenda c) greater investment in social infrastructure for human security d) increase investments in women’s organizations, and e) improve gender data for WPS.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of “Building democratic, peaceful and gender equal society in Ukraine” Programme Specialist, Project Specialist, provides support to the effective implemnetion and management of the WPS activities.The Project Specialist supports the delivery of UN Women “ Building democratic, peaceful and gender equal society in Ukraine” by monitoring and analyzing results achieved during implementation and supporting appropriate application of systems and procedures.

Project Specialist will be responsible for implementation of WPS portfolio activities with a special focus on NAP 1325 localization in Kirovahrad and Chernihiv oblasts of Ukraine. Project Specialist will also support implementation of Safety Audits and Women Safety Walks in selected communities. Project Specialist will also attend inter-agency meetings and coordinate UN Women’s work with other stakeholders.

Impact of results:

The key results of this post directly impact on the ability of UN Women to effectively support the Government of Ukraine in implementing its WPS Agenda, NAP 1325 commitments and localization. Through this assignment capacities of Regional and Local Authorities to implement more gender equal policies according to national laws and legislations will be enhanced.  Moreover, Project Specialist will empower women led CSO and capitalize skills and competencies of local women leaders especially at local and regional level. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Implementation of WPS portfolio, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Contribution to Inter-Agency coordination and partnerships building 
• Advocacy support and facilitation of knowledge building and management

?Implementation of WPS portfolio, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Ensure timely and effective implementation of the WPS portfolio with a focus of localizing NAP 1325 together with the Regional and Local Authorities and other stakeholders in Kirovahrad and Chernihiv oblasts; delivery of results in accordance with the project document, work plans and project outcome areas;
• Provide inputs to WPS portfolio reports, including progress and bi- and annual reports, as well as ad-hoc technical reports;
• Contribute to WPS portfolio monitoring and evaluation, as well as audit activities;
• Ensure provision of timely inputs to the preparation, update and implementation of annual and detailed implementation work plans and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the WPS portfolio activities;
• Provide inputs to activities and ensure timely implementation of Safety Audits and Women Safety Walks are carried out in selected communities;
• Ensure proper management of the budget component allocated for the WPS portfolio implementation, and
• Arrange and monitor field level activities of the WPS portfolio.

Contribution to Inter-Agency coordination and partnerships building  

• Provide technical advisory support to UN Women in engagement with relevant local authorities to support the capacity development and implementation of the WPS portfolio.
• Maintain close liaison with local and oblast partners, ensuring optimum participation of all relevant stakeholders;

• Develop the professional platform for networking and partnership building with the local and regional authorities, CSOs and international development organizations or projects;
• Ensure coordination with relevant working groups and information sharing, and
• Facilitate collection, analysis and interpretation of data in the field of WPS portfolio implementation in the target regions of Ukraine. Ensure availability of an up-to-date information on all critical issues related to WPS portfolio implementation.

Advocacy support and facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Manage the establishment of advocacy networks at national level;
• Proactively and substantively support and implement relevant, high-impact advocacy activities and campaigns with key partners;
• Ensure awareness about project priorities, strategies and approaches. Analyse ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and shares with project management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies;
• Proactively contribute to the WPS related knowledge products, and
• Contribute to implementation of the UN Women communications strategy and plan.

MEASURABLE OUTPUTS OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT:

• Full and appropriate implementation of WPS portfolio activities in assigned region;
• Results, experiences and lessons learned during implementation of the WPS portfolio are shared with the project management;
• Programme initiatives are designed and formulated for translating UN Women’s priorities into local interventions;
• Reporting and quality monitoring activities completed.

  PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS:

• Annual work plan for WPS portfolio is fully and timely implemented;
• Funds delivery for the WPS portfolio reached 100%;
• Partnership and advocacy networks at national level are established.

Competencies

CORE VALUES:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated development/programming skills particularly those that are pertinent to UN Women strategic priorities on gender issues and women’s rights;
• Familiarity with national WPS commitments and related laws that support women’s equal and meaningful participation in decision making and recovery process;
• Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes component;
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them for development results;
• Good knowledge of Results Based Management principles and approaches;
• Ability to establish and maintain broad strategic networks and partnerships with UN agencies and other partners to promote partnership and build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies, and CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES (applies to all)  
• Demonstrated strong coordination, facilitation and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

UN Women Personal History Form (P11) must be completed and attached as part of the online application - https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unwomen.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FHeadquarters%2FAttachments%2FSections%2FAbout%2520Us%2FEmployment%2FUN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check).