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. 

Papua New Guinea ranks 144th out of 163 countries (53.6% score) on the SDG Index (2022). It ranked 156th out of 191 countries globally on the 2021 Human Development Index, and currently ranks 169th out of 191 countries globally on the Gender Inequality Index. Gender-based violence (GBV) remains at endemic levels across the country with rampant domestic violence in both urban and rural areas as well as increasing sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) killings. Some recent progress has been made in PNG towards women's political participation and leadership with two women elected to the National Parliament out of 118 parliamentarians in 2022. PNG ranks second lowest in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's global ranking of women in parliament. Nearly a quarter (23%) of women aged 15-49 have no formal education compared to 13% of men. PNG has the largest gender gap regarding financial inclusion in the Pacific region, with 29% of women less likely to have access to formal financial services than men. Most women entrepreneurs operate in the informal sector, mainly selling products in local markets. The complex peace and security context of PNG compounds the already extreme pressures on women and girls. According to the Women, Peace and Security Index, PNG ranks 145 out of 170 countries. Inter-group violence occurs cyclically in the Highlands and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Climate change emerges as a threat in PNG as ‘severe’ on OECD's environmental fragility index.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028 is ‘women-focused’ with a stand-alone outcome on Equality for Women and Girls in which UN Women will lead and coordinate. Other gender related UNSDCF outcomes and outputs are as follows: 

Outcome 1: Equality for Women and Girls: By 2028, women and girls in Papua New Guinea, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable, exercise their rights and agency and live a life free from all forms of discrimination and violence.

Output 1.1 Women and the Enabling Environment: Enhanced gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at all levels in line with international norms and standards in the implementation of legislation, policies and financing. Output 1.2 Women and Leadership: Women occupy more leadership and decision-making positions in the political and public spheres at all levels.  

Output 1.3 Women and the Economy: Women are technically, financially and legally skilled and empowered to participate in all sectors and aspects of the formal and informal economy.

Output 1.4 Women and Social Transformation: Women and girls are free from discrimination, violence, and torture through a whole-of-society approach to the promotion of gender-equitable socio-cultural attitudes, norms and behaviors.

Outcome 2: Governance, Peace, and Social Cohesion: By 2028, people in Papua New Guinea, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable, participate in and benefit from more accountable, fair and transparent governance that promotes peace, security, equality and social cohesion.

Output 2.2. Democratic Governance: Improved functioning, integrity, accountability and transparency of public institutions, including parliamentary, electoral, and rule of law institutions along with the relevant entities.

Output 2.4. Social Cohesion: Strengthened social cohesion strategies, also incorporating early warning and prevention, at the national and sub-national levels are implemented to benefit the most vulnerable.

Outcome 5: Environment and Climate Change: By 2028, people in Papua New Guinea, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable, benefit from equitable and participatory access to climate resilient services that improve livelihoods and protect natural resources.

Output 5.2. Climate Action: Enhanced climate adaptation and mitigation measures are delivered to strengthen the capacity of Papua New Guinea to mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, communities, livelihoods and the economy.

Reporting to the Country Representative, the UN System Coordination Specialist will strengthen country level capacity for implementing the UN coordination mandate. S/he will provide catalytic substantive support to enhancing UN system coordination for GEWE results. S/he will also support coordination beyond the UN system including CSO alliances and the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Donor Coordination Group. 

1. Provide support to the Country Representative on UN programming and coordination at the country level and regional level work:

• Support the Country Representative in his/her participation in the UN Country Team and related technical bodies; 
• Coordinate the provision of technical advice to the Country Representative on the gender dynamics and opportunities to support inclusive engagement of women provided by the UNCT;
• Support UN Women PNG in the development of gender-specific country programming processes and products in close collaboration, with UNCT members, and other development partners to ensure the mainstreaming of the gender perspective; 
• Ensure effective knowledge management and capacity development of UN Women in the country, facilitating the integration and the roll out of gender equality tools across the UN system;
• Prepare briefing materials for the Country Representative on issues to be discussed in the UN and other events and meetings. 
• Support Country Representative in implementing the follow-up actions and decisions made through UN Country Team and related technical bodies; 
• Prepare and finalize joint annual work plans and reports of UN Coordination activities.

2. Provide technical and coordination support for the implementation of UN Coordination activities:    

• Foster UN system partnerships and coordinate coherent inter-agency planning, analysis and actions for enhanced accountability to GEWE;
• Implement activities (co)led or supported by UN Women and monitor the implementation of the joint work plan;
• Coordinate with the UNCT on improved accountability tools to enhance tracking of UN’s commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment and up-scale them as as opportunities arise, including serving as the RCO focal person to coordinate efforts and ensure coherence on gender equality commitments across humanitarian development-peace nexus;
• Lead coordination of the GEWE Donor Coordination Group and ensure effective coordination of CSOs;
• Provide technical inputs into the development of the joint strategic frameworks and joint programmes related to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls’ priorities;
•  Support the coordination and implementation of system-wide UN strategies and frameworks at the country level;
• Provide technical and substantive inputs to partnerships and joint UN resource mobilization strategies related to GEWE and the Joint Strategic Framework.

3. Facilitate knowledge management and capacity building:

• Analyze country and regional practices and lessons learned on coordination and advise the Country Representative and internal and external partners to enhance knowledge and build capacity; 
• Collect and share lessons learned on coordination and UN system programming and development to contribute to the development of knowledge management products and tools within UN Women; 
• Ensure the use of evaluation findings to feed into knowledge management and decision making at the regional level.
• Report on coordination activities and results as per approved Annual Work Plans in the quarterly monitoring and the annual reporting exercises, using RMS;
• Contribute to other reporting requirements as well as audit and evaluation-related activities. 

Core values:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies

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

Functional Competencies

• Substantive experience in the area of development and or gender equality and women's empowerment issues; 
• Knowledge of UN system and understanding of inter-agency coordination processes; 
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development to experience; 
• Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skill; 
• Familiarity with results-based programme planning and management, and the ability to clearly communicate and explain RBPPM approaches; 
• Well-developed people management skills;
• Effectiveness and pro-activity; 
• Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance; 
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage..

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation, international relations, public administration or other related field, some of which should be in the area of gender equality and women’s rights at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs; 
• Experience with UN joint programming development and implementation in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment is required;
• Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with government institutions, CSOs and donors is desirable;
• Experience working in the UN System is desirable;
• Experience in leading/managing a team desirable. 

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Application:

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Inclusion Statement:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits employ, 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.)