UN WOMEN Jobs - 65492- UN Women: Representative

UN Women: Representative

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Jun-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

D-1

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

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

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.

UN Women in Afghanistan aims to promote the rights of women and ensure inclusion of women in peace and reconstruction processes in Afghanistan. UN Women currently has four core areas of focus to its program including support to:

Mainstreaming gender across government institutions, systems, policies and programs, working in close partnership with the Ministry of Women's Affairs;
Support to capacity development of sub-national governance to ensure gender concerns are addressed at provincial levels;
Gender justice including promotion of women's political participation, elimination of violence against women and women's access to justice.
Development and implementation of an economic security and rights strategy, building on UNW past experience in supporting such initiatives;

The UN Women Representative reports to the Regional Director, UN Women Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, responsible for the Asia Pacific Region, under the guidance of the Director of Programme Division in New York.

The UN Women Representative is responsible for translating the UN Women's Strategic Plan (SP), in line with regional and national priorities, into development initiatives and results by developing, implementing and managing programs and projects; and developing effective partnerships with Government counterparts, UN system agencies and organizations, CSOs, and with bilateral partners to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN reform, visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions:

Strategic country program development and planning;
Country program management and oversight;
UN inter-agency coordination;
Representation and advocacy;
Strategic partnerships and resource mobilization;
Knowledge management;
Safety and security of staff, UNW programs and resources.

Strategic program development and planning:

Assess and monitor the political, economic and social development trends and identify emerging issues of relevance to the mandate of UN Women to identify opportunities for development planning to advance UN Women goals and objectives in the country;
Establish effective dialogue with the government and other national organizations and a wide range of stakeholders (civil society, private sector and development partners) on development challenges, opportunities and priorities and modalities to achieve UNW goals and national objectives on gender equality and women's human rights.
Strengthen UN Women country presence and relevance as maybe required to respond to the emerging national needs;
Lead the formulation, planning and preparation of the Country Strategic Note based on UN Women's Strategic Plan (2014-2017) and regional and national priorities, in collaboration/consultation with government, civil society, UN partners and stakeholders and Director, Regional Office and Director, Programme Division at UN Women in New York;
Manage and ensure the completion of high quality, results-based and rights based country programs and projects. Oversee the appraisal and approval of UN Women programs in line with corporate guidelines and consistency with corporate policies and strategies.

Country program management and oversight:

Develop the Country Office (CO) Strategic Note and Annual Work Plans in collaboration and discussion with the team and set objectives, performance measurements, standards and expected results. Ensure regular program monitoring and evaluate progress for timely action and intervention to achieve results;
Set performance plans and evaluation standards. Regularly conduct performance assessments, provide feedback and guidance to ensure optimum performance and accountability according to UN Women standards of integrity, ethics and accountability framework;
Oversee, monitor and ensure quality control in the implementation of high quality, results-based and rights-based for country programs and projects in line with corporate policies, guidelines and strategies.
Lead and manage the country budget preparation and submission processes to ensure budget proposals are correctly presented and submitted in a timely manner;
Monitor the utilization of allocated funds to ensure transparency and compliance with UN Women financial policies and accountability framework. Decide on the optimum and appropriate allocation and management of CO resources;
Lead and manage the preparation of UN Women mandated country reports and submit timely reports ensuring relevancy, quality and appropriateness of content and presentation;
Contribute to regular assessments of the regional, and country strategic plans and implementation plans and identify lessons learned and areas of emphasis to underpin consistently improved programming and future SP development;
Plan and manage monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects. Evaluate results and take appropriate action.

UN inter-agency coordination:

Participate actively as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT) to ensure that gender equality and women's empowerment is fully integrated into UN programming processes such as Comprehensive Country Assessment (CCA)/ UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), and or One UN Programme or Common Country Programme;
Provide leadership and guidance to the UNCT in supporting enhanced response to national partners in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment and UN Reform;
Support the coordination and promotion of accountability within the UN Resident Coordinator System to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment and UN Reform;
Advise the UNCT on the implementation of key policy commitments to gender and women's rights;
Partner with UN system and agencies to enhance collaboration, resource mobilization and joint ideas and joint programmes to influence agenda and priority setting;
Actively seek out participation of UN Women in UN system thematic and other working groups to establish effective network and to keep abreast of ongoing debate and thinking on development, facilitate joint programming and promote UN Women competencies to advance gender equality and women's human rights.

Representation and advocacy:

Articulate and effectively communicate the strategic vision for UN Women in the country that is consistent with UNW’s Strategic Plan and supportive of national development goals and priorities;
Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums, key meetings and events, as designated/appropriate to speak on policy issues, participate in policy dialogue, discuss policy initiatives, report on progress achieved and/or present policy papers/ideas to influence setting of agenda and/or advocate UN Women competencies and mandate;
Represent UN Women in the UNCT to contribute to the mainstreaming of UN Women’s policies in joint programming and initiatives, under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator;
Represent UNW in the UN Heads of Agencies meetings, major events and other inter agency fora, including the donor consultation processes to participate in strategic discussions affecting UN Women and UN system development programs and operations in the country; and to actively seek opportunities to strengthen collaboration/alliances/partnerships with UN system organizations, agencies and partners on common interests and goals;
Participate in regional, country and other critical meetings and events to evaluate the impact and efficacy of UN Women policies and programs and provide input in strategic discussions and provide technical advice on policies and programs;
Advocate on behalf of UN Women to help raise awareness and stimulate action to advance gender equality and women's rights;
Carry out ongoing advocacy to ensure that UN support towards realization of the national plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality.

Strategic partnerships and resource mobilization:

Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with wide ranging constituencies, Government, NGOs, donors, academia, media, and private sector and the UN system agencies/partners as well as multi lateral and bilateral donors and development institutions through policy dialogue, advocacy and effective, efficient and high quality program delivery to enhance collaboration, resource mobilization and/or share ideas and to influence agenda and priority setting;
Conceptualize, design and implement country resource mobilization strategies;
Actively communicate and interact with donors/partners to keep them informed, engaged, advised and interested in UNW goals and objectives to promote gender equality and women's human rights in the country;
Lead/direct resource mobilization activities to maximize resources for programs and projects to meet ongoing and/or new challenges and opportunities to promote gender equality and women's rights in the country and to sustain achievements in these areas;
Lead negotiations on cost-sharing agreements with donors. Ensure timely and accurate reporting to donors/partners to maintain UNW credibility and keep their interests and support to UNW programs and projects
Plan and oversee the implementation public information and fund raising events.

Knowledge management:

Safety and security of staff, UNW programs and resources;
Establish CO security strategy, plan and measures that are in full compliance with UN security policies, procedures and requirements, to ensure the protection and well-being of staff and their dependents as well as to minimize risks in program planning and operations;
In close coordination and consultation with UNDSS and UN system agencies and partners, assess external and internal risks and take timely decisions to ensure the protection of staff (and their families) well being and UN Women programmes and assets;
Direct implementation of all activities and arrangements related to the safety and security of UN Women staff in Afghanistan in accordance with Framework for Accountability for the UN Security Management System and other UN safety and security policies and security plan;
Oversee the timely submission of all required reports to UN Women HQ on the security situation and supervise the establishment of appropriate policies, systems and mechanisms (in compliance with UNDSS rules, regulations and procedures) to address emergencies. Confirm the quality and efficacy of these systems to meet evolving needs;
Confirm that all staff members are made fully aware of these safety and security procedures and policies; and that staff members themselves also understand their own responsibility and accountability in case of emergency.
Produce knowledge products to meet UN Women needs and standards of quality.

Impact of Results

The successful performance of the UN Women Representative of his/her key functions directly result in effective and strategic development, implementation and management of high quality country programs and projects and achievement of quality results which in turn directly impact on the credibility and image of UN Women as an effective and efficient partner and as the leading knowledge-based technical and advocacy organization for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Competencies

Core Values and 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;
Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

Demonstrate and promote ethics and integrity by creating organizational precedents.

Organizational Awareness:

Build support for the organization and ensure political acumen.

Development and Innovation:

Support staff competence development, and contribute to an environment of creativity and innovation.

Work in teams:

Build and promote effective 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.

Communication and Information Sharing:

Create and promote an environment for open and 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:

Share knowledge across the organization and build a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

Ensure fair and transparent decision making processes and manage risk.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience;
Strong negotiation, advocacy and interpersonal skills;
Proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing documents;
Strong communications and public speaking skills;
Proven analytical and problem solving skills;
Good planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills;
Effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and NGO partners;
Effectiveness in strengthening accountability and results-based management in supporting organizational priorities, policy and decision-making processes.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree or equivalent in development related disciplines, economics or public policy or other social science fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 15 years of extensive development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in aid development cooperation, some of which in gender and women’s issues programming, at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs or UN Mission.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency / working knowledge of any other UN language will be an asset.

Application Information:

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;

UN Women will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

Note

In July 2010, the United nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.