Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women 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. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world.  It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of National priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with government, civil society and other relevant actors.

In Nepal, UN Women's programme focus on women's leadership in peace, security and humanitarian response, economic empowerment of women, and gender responsive national planning and budgeting processes, to contribute to achieving the goal of gender equality and empowerment of women. In this context, UN Women Nepal’s Peace and Security Unit is responsible for providing technical support to the government and civil society organizations in a number of areas, including gender responsive peace building and gender responsive humanitarian response; women’s access to justice, including transitional justice; security sector reform; promotion of women’s leadership and participation in peace building and conflict prevention (UNSCRs 1325, 1889); prevention of and response to conflict related sexual violence (UNSCRs 1820, 1888, 1960); implementation of National Action Plan on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820; and mainstreaming gender issues into governance reforms. The Unit operates within the frameworks of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCRs) 1325 and 1820, Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), Millennium Development Goal (MDG), SG’s Seven Point Action Plan on Gender Responsive Peace Building, UN Peace and Development Strategy for Nepal, and the Nepal United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2013-2017 (UNDAF).

UN Women Nepal aims to expand and strengthen its support in the area of peace and security through a number of projects and initiatives that focus on community, district as well as national level interventions. In order to reinforce the ongoing efforts especially with respect to the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820, UN Women Nepal has been implementing “Strengthening Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Nepal: Towards Implementation of National Action Plan on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 (SIWPSAIN)” project funded by the   Government of Finland.

The overall goal of the SIWPSAIN project is to strengthen the local level implementation of NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 through innovative strategies that promote women’s participation in peace, security and governance processes. The SIWPSAIN project will contribute to (i) strengthen the capacity of the government and relevant stakeholders to implement select NAP commitments with latest knowledge on peacebuilding and social practice of human rights; (ii) support implementation of comprehensive well-integrated and innovative programmes to conflict affected women, former women combatants and other vulnerable groups in three districts; (iii) increase the number of women and their groups in influencing peacebuilding processes with human rights, conflict prevention and inclusive participation. The project will cover three district which included Bajhang, Doti and Kailali districts. The SIWPSAN project is being implemented in Bajhang, Kailali and Doti districts in the Far-West development region.

The SIWPSAIN project will serve as a pilot project at the district level to strengthen bottom-up implementation and will involve a comprehensive approach to address root causes of conflict. It will involve women and men to support the implementation of the NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. Peacebuilding is also theoretically understood as a comprehensive concept that encompasses full array of processes, approaches and stages with wide range of activities. The NAP too recognizes this: it calls for building a long term vision by conducting programmes for conflict-affected and former women combatants that provide “psycho-social counseling, social rehabilitation and social re-integration as well as skill-oriented and self-employment programmes keeping in mind their interests, ability, needs and market prospects for rebuilding their lives.” By implementing this project, UN Women aims to expand its outreach at the local level to reinforce social, economic and political empowerment of women and girls, and accelerate positive changes in the lives of rural women, develop new pragmatic approaches to integrate women’s security concerns at the field level, and bridge the gap between policy and practice.

To provide technical support to the selected ministries, government bodies and civil society organizations on implementation of the NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 under the SIWPSAN project, UN Women is recruiting a Programme Officer to be based in the Kathmandu.

Under overall supervision of UN Women’s Unit Manager of Women Peace and Security Programme, the Programme Officer will be responsible for providing technical support to the project, effective coordination and monitoring of the SIWPSAN project. Additionally, he/she will provide support to other projects which are being implemented under the WPS Unit. He/she will work in close collaboration with the operations and programme/projects’ staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and work in a proactive manner to enhance women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Day-to-day technical support and the delivery of outputs and activities of the project;
• Monitoring and evaluation, planning and reporting responsibilities related to project;
• Develop and  maintain effective relations with  the  concerned  partners  and counterparts;
• Coordination, technical support and monitoring of financial, administrative, human resources, procurement and logistical matters;
• Support the Peace and Security Unit Manager in carrying out activities of the Peace and Security Unit.

Day-to-day technical support and the delivery of outputs and activities of the project:

• Prepare detailed annual and quarterly work-plans and budget and get them approved in   a   timely   manner.   Ensure   timely   implementation   of   the   project   activities   in accordance  with  the  work  plan  in  collaboration  with  the  government  and  partner organizations. Monitor and supervise the activities implemented for the achievement of intended outputs;
• Prepare detailed plans and procedures for project monitoring, review, reporting and evaluation;
• Prepare   timely   reports   for   UN   Women,   donors,   the   Government,   and   other stakeholders;
• Prepare detailed annual and quarterly work-plans and budget and get them approved in   a   timely   manner;
• Ensure   timely   implementation   of   the   project   activities   in accordance  with  the  work  plan  in  collaboration  with  the  government  and  partner organizations. Monitor and supervise the activities implemented for the achievement of intended outputs;
• Prepare detailed plans and procedures for project monitoring, review, reporting and evaluation;
• Keep abreast of gender responsive peace building issues and dynamics in Nepal which will impact on delivery of the projects and potential follow-on programming and provide regular updates to the Unit Manager (Peace and Security);
• Provide the required guidance and supervision to project staffs based in the field, project partners and consultants to achieve project goals;
• Ensure needed technical backstopping to the project staffs and implementing partners to achieve high quality results.

Monitoring and evaluation, planning and reporting responsibilities related to project and other WPS projects:

• Contribute to development of M&E framework for the WPS projects and support full implementation of the M&E system;
• Frequently follow up the result tracking matrix with the inclusion of project indicators and AWP indicators updated in a timely manner, especially on quarterly basis;
• Facilitate regular monitoring and tracking of project results through appropriate mechanisms;
• Ensure  timely  preparation  of  progress  reports  and  submission  to  the  donor  and government as per their requirements;
• Ensure effective application of Result Based Management (RBM) tools and monitoring achievement of results;
• Manage  and  monitor  identified  project  risks  and  update  the  status  of  these  risks;
• Develop contingency plans as necessary.

Develop and maintain effective relations with the concerned partners and counterparts:

• In close collaboration with the Unit Manager, contribute to the development of appropriate working relations with key stakeholders on relevant aspects of Gender Responsive Peace Building;
• Establish and maintain a good rapport with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development and the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction for creating strong synergy for localization of the National Action Plan on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820;
• Coordinate with the implementing partners, partner agencies and government for programme linkages, leverage and synergy;
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination with and between UN Women office, partner UN agencies, and implementing partners.

Coordination, technical support and monitoring of financial, administrative, human resources, procurement and logistical matters:

• Ensure full compliance of operations with UN Women rules, regulations and policies and monitoring of achievement of results;
• Ensure effective, transparent and accountable management of financial resources of the projects under WPS Unit. Oversee the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the project activities;
• Support all activities leading to the annual audit exercise and follow up of the audit recommendations;
• Provide inputs to Atlas budget revisions and Annual Work Plans for further discussion and clearance from the Unit Manager.

Support the Unit Manager (Peace amd Security Programme) in carrying out activities of the Peace and Security Unit:

• Support the Unit Manager for preparing annual and quarterly work-plans and budget of the Peace and Security Unit;
• Support Unit’s peace and security programme initiatives as and when required;
• Support the Unit Manger to have inter unit convergent and deliberation for creating synergy in achieving for high quality results.

Core Values / guiding principles

Integrity:

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation:

• Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams:

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:

• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience through promotion of participatory learning process;
• Works actively towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas; and acts on learning plans and applies newly acquired skills;
• Demonstrated team management and coordination skills;
• Experience managing the project at the district level will be an asset;
• Result oriented, forward thinking and problem solving skills;
• Ability to deliver in a complex and hardship environment.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to perform a variety of tasks (multitasking) related to programme development and resource mobilization;
• Good knowledge of rights-based approach and result-based management;
• Ability to generate innovative ideas and approaches; and to provide inputs in developing programme policies and strategies;
• A good understanding of UN’s programme, finance and operational procedures will be an asset.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, political or international affairs (i.e. international development studies, gender/women's studies, and human rights).

Experience:

• Seven years of professional experience in the field of peace building /conflict and post conflict setting and technical experience in gender analysis and monitoring and evaluation with participatory approaches. Experience in policy advocacy for gender-responsive peace building will be a distinct advantage;
• Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments;
• A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations;
• Sound knowledge on peace building and post conflict would be an asset;
• Good knowledge of rights-based approach and result-based management.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written Nepali and English essential.

Interested applicants should apply online for the vacancy, using the “Personal History Form - P 11” which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment.

Note:

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.