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 Mozambique focuses its interventions on women’s economic empowerment, participation and democratic governance, combating violence against women, among others. In this context, it puts a strong focus on girls and young women in the ddevelopment of high-profit initiatives as a strategy for improved economic empowerment as well as on gender equality and women’s rights at districtal, provincial and national levels.

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 Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Within the UN Women Mozambique Country Office  under the supervision of the Representative, and in general consultation with Program Specialist, the incumbent analyzes overall trends in development and in policy making, together with constraints, opportunities, potential and challenges with a stronger emphasis in providing economic opportunities for girls and young women to respond to poverty that drives them to the risks even when they have access to information, knowledge about sexual health and reproductive health and rights. In close collaboration with UN Women’s field-based presences are relevant, the Programme Specialist facilitates formulation process of projects/programmes through a highly participatory process with UN Women field-based presences; (a) increased synergies with the Government, UN Agencies and partners, (b) supports the day-to-day functioning of the field-based presences in, as required; and (c) supports the Country Office d) contribute to the creation and dissemination of knowledge products through capturing of best practices,  in support of UN Women  advocacy. The Project Officer will also take initiatives that contributes to the economic empowerment of girls and young women.

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor, the Project Officer will work closely with the programme unit team, UN Women Mozambique staff, Provincial level Government officials, UN Agencies involved in the project (UNFPA, UNICEF and UNESCO) and civil society to ensure the technical direction and implementing of the project and projects are maintained and key outputs are achieved in a cost effective and timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

•  Support with project implementation
•  Monitoring and evaluation
•  Support with office coordination activities
•  Other/administrative support

Project Implementation

•  Support the implementation of the project’s activities in accordance with the annual work plan and towards achieving the project  outcomes and outputs;
•  Regular follow up with national experts/consultants and civil society groups/think tanks involved in the implementation of project  activities, including revision of their deliverables and results;
•  Maintaining regular communication and extend technical support to economic empowerment initiatives conducted by girls and young women;
• Provide guidance and support to UN Women implementing partners/responsible parties, carrying specific activities within the project;
• Serve as UN Women focal person in the province;
•  Give inputs to quarterly progress reports and contribute to the drafting of Annual and final project report;
•  Support project related events, including trainings organized by project partners and support the organization of the final project conference.

Monitoring and evaluation 

• Contribute to the preparation and consolidation of quarterly progress and financial reports;
• Monitor regularly project activities implementation by conducting field visits and maintaining close communication with project  benefi
• Keep records and file all documents related to planning and implementation of the project in line with the office filing system;

• Support with office coordination activities

• Ensure continuous collaboration and coordination with Country Programme Officer and programme Specialist on implementation of the country component of the economic empowerment for girls and young women;
• Contribute to synthesizing and documenting project and activities findings and lessons learned;
• Ensure continuous coordination, guidance and supervision with project experts/consultants;
• Participate at the meetings of the UN Result group on gender equality and prepare minutes, including preparation of background  documents for the meetings;
• Support UN Women team in the organization of key advocacy/awareness raising events, in close cooperation with the programme staff.

• Other/administrative support

• Provide input to various tasks such as workshops, research, analyses and publications;
• Support the office team in the organization of events, workshops, trainings;
• Support with filing system in the office and ensure documentation as per UN Women rules and guidelines;
• Support with the organization of the office library.ciaries, consultants and institutional contractors;

• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making

Competencies

• Development/programming skills particularly those that are pertinent to UN Women strategic priorities on gender issues and women’s rights
• Ability to support formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects
• Knowledge of Results Based Management principles and approaches
• Ability to maintain networks and partnerships with UN agencies and other international partners to promote partnership and build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies
• Demonstrated good oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments
• Initiative and strong leadership skills
• Result and client-orientations
• Willingness to travel as appropriate

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Diploma’s Degree in Economics, Gender and Human Rights related disciplines, Social Sciences or related field.

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national and/or international level with development programmes and projects

Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience working on development issues, preferably related to women economic empowerment

Knowledge of rural development, economic empowerment and community-based poverty reduction strategies is desirable.

Knowledge of policy frameworks, planning, budgeting and monitoring tools/processes at district, provincial and national levels is an asset.

English and Portuguese (written and spoken) is required.

Knowledge of local languages (Macua) is an asset.