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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action globally. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The progress of North Macedonia in recent years respecting and promoting Gender Equality is highlighted in a series of international commitments and in national legal and policy frameworks. The main achievements in the field of gender equality and women’s empowerment reside in the Country’s institutional capacity development for the work on gender equality. Indeed, the legal provisions guaranteeing women’s rights and gender equality are largely in place – the Law of Equal Opportunities of Women and Men, the National Action Plan for Gender Equality, the Election Law amendment instituting quotas, the new Law on Preventing Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, the Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 (2020-2025), and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention are normative achievements that influence the institutional practice in promoting gender equality in North Macedonia.

However, the Country still copes with deeply rooted, patriarchal stereotypes regarding the role and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society at large. Women in North Macedonia remain underrepresented in decision making positions at central and local government, while domestic violence, violence against women and gaps in policy development and slow implementation of the adopted legislation constitute important structural obstacles to achieving gender equality. Improvements are needed in both strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing cooperation between the gender mechanisms, the key ministries and civil society organizations in order to increase gender mainstreaming in all aspect of government work - primarily policy development and budgeting - as the means for achieving gender equality.

In line with the European Council’s decision of March 2020 to open accession negotiations with the Country, the Sida-funded “Gender Equality Facility” (GEF) aims at strengthening the effective implementation of national and international legal frameworks on gender equality and women’s rights, mainstreaming gender equality into EU integration and planning processes for pre-accession assistance, and strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender equality in line with EU standards. Expert support will be provided for the integration of gender perspectives into sector dialogue, policy revisions, recovery programmes, and ongoing reforms, including EU-funded IPA programmes and actions, the Government’s Annual Work Programme, and the strategic planning of line Ministries. Thereby, GEF supports institutions to correctly align with the EU Gender Equality acquis. The intervention will also address challenges in implementation of laws and gender equality policies by providing support for enhancing coordination and monitoring of gender equality policies and measures. In the medium to longer-term, and in line with the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 and the Principles of the EU Gender Action Plan III (2021-2025), the Project aims to secure implementation/application of gender equality legislation, policies and standards through policy dialogue, technical expertise and guidance, development and sharing of good practice, and strategic partnerships and cooperation.

The main partners of the Project are the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA, the main project beneficiary), Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) structures, the Equal Opportunities Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP), and National Gender Machinery institutions.

A set of activities has been identified to reach expected results, focusing on increasing the absorption capacity for implementing the EU Gender Equality acquis through access to technical guidance, tools and harmonized methodologies; capacity development, coaching and advice; and the provision of gender TA in support of priority reforms/ sectors and (recovery) plans. The project will focus on the following key results:

• Result 1: SEA, IPA Units, Sector Working Groups, and selected decision-making bodies and coordination structures involved in EU accession have the knowledge and skills to include a gender perspective in programming, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of IPA programmes.
• Result 2: National Gender Mechanisms (Equal Opportunities Department and related Equal Opportunity Coordinators/Gender Focal Points) have the administrative capacities to perform gender mainstreaming in NPAA[1] planning processes and implement EU Gender Equality legislation and policy, in line with EU regulations and international obligations

Under the Result 1, the project will provide systematic capacity development for structures involved in management of EU and bilateral funds, SEA, and authorized applicants, and will ensure that gender facts are available to key decision-making bodies. This will be done through the provision of technical guidance and support in gender review of selected sector documents and translation of identified gender equality priorities into actions in the relevant programming documents. SEA will be supported in quality assurance and internal review process for gender mainstreaming in programming and administrating of EU funds. It will be assisted in integrating gender-specific considerations into the development of indicators at the program and project level. Towards this end, the Country Gender Profile - providing country-specific facts and evidence - will serve as an important reference document. Capacity development will include tailor-made in-service trainings for all relevant staff and Gender Coordinators from line ministries. Drawing and building on gender-sensitive practice in EU Enlargement and the experience of former EU Accession countries, GEF will directly contribute to implementing EU Accession policy by providing gender expertise to IPA structures and the government’s Sector Working Groups. In line with the sector approach, the focus will be on government priority sectors, noting that these are largely inter-sectoral and require cross-institutional coordination. In order to use synergies and demonstrate added value, EU gender mainstreaming guidance will be made available primarily in EU IPA priority areas.

The UN Women Office in North Macedonia is seeking to recruit a GEF Output Coordinator for Result 1, who will work under the direct supervision of the GEF Project Manager, in synergy with the GEF Output Coordinator for Result 2, and in close collaboration with primarily the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA), and also liaise with the Equal Opportunities Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP), and when applicable with other relevant stakeholders, and civil society.

[1] National Programme for the Adoption of the Community acquis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of GEF Project Manager, and guidance by the Head of Office, the GEF Output Coordinator for Result 1 is responsible for providing programmatic, coordination and administration support to results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of the activities and achievement of planned project results under the Result 1, and for supporting the implementation of communication, advocacy and networking related activities.

Key Functions:

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Project implementation and technical support
2. Results based monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and knowledge building
3. Finance and administration support
4. Communications support
5. Other support

Description of Functions:

1.    Project implementation and technical support

• Ensure timely and adequate implementation of activities according to the project activity plan and effective delivery of results
• In coordination with the Project Manager prepare a detailed work plan and performance monitoring plan to implement proposed activities, and ensure links with UN Women’s commitment under the UNSDCF (UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025) and the UN Women Strategic Plan
• Design, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of relevant project activities with national partners
• In coordination with the Project Manager and Head of Office maintain close communication with partners, including government, civil society organizations, international organizations, UN agencies, and donors. Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure the relevance and quality of the project’s outputs
• Provide overall supervision of the work of external consultants under the Result 1 to ensure the production of the expected outputs
• Engage in quality control/assurance of project output under the Result 1, products and deliverables
• Provide technical support and expert advice to key stakeholders on specific issues related to the project scope
• Assume responsibility for the smooth functioning of all operational activities related to project implementation
• Hold consultations with the project partners and other stakeholders in order to ensure timely information about the project implementation
• Support organization of Project Steering Committee meetings and provide regular updates on implementation of activities and achieved results under the Result 1
• Support preparation and organization of relevant events as envisaged per the work plan
• Support training needs assessment, organize capacity building for gender mainstreaming in IPA
• Contribute to organizing and running effective coordination meetings and ensure communication flow among partners and prepares meeting minutes
• Ensure timely implementation of all project activities and monitor the correct use of funds according to signed agreements and work plans
• Coordinate with experts on sectorial working groups and provide support in accordance with the work plan and needs assessment
• In consultation with the Project Manager and the Head of Office coordinate with relevant representatives from SEA and other relevant institutions in relation to the Result 1, to ensure information flow and timely update

2.    Results based monitoring, evaluation, reporting and knowledge building

• Assume responsibility for monitoring and reporting, as well as for timely submission of quality progress reports and agreed-upon monitoring deliverables under the Result 1
• Regularly review planned activities, and make necessary modifications when needed in response to any emerging circumstances
•  Draft sections of project progress reports and provide inputs to project related products, including updates

3.    Finance and administration

• Manage the activities’ financial resources in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations
• Manage project files and support information collection and dissemination
• Support the procurement, travel and other logistic procedures related to the project (preparing ToR for consultants, collecting offers, preparing travel authorization, travel claims, and related logistics)

4. Communications

• In consultation with the Project Manager supports the Communication Specialist to develop and implement the communication strategy and annual communication plan that support the Result 1 of the Project, increase visibility and impact of the project’s visibility and communication activities and initiatives
• Support development of high quality publications, visuals and communication products, such as brochures, infographics, spots, reports, project factsheet, and human interest stories; effectively collaborate with the GEF Communications Specialist; when needed maintain contacts with designers, printing companies and other suppliers; contribute to the development and production of information products and communication materials in support of the project (donor bulletins, brochures, fact sheets, presentations, information leaflets, visuals, spots, knowledge products, etc.)
• Support advocacy work

5.    Other support

• Report on a regular basis to the GEF Project Manager in order to ensure coordination, linkages, and synergies between all areas of work carried out under the GEF Project and by the UN Women Office in North Macedonia
• Liaise with Coordinator under Result 2, to ensure building synergies

• Contribute to annual work planning and budgeting processes of the UN Women Office in North Macedonia
• Contribute to UN Women Quarterly Monitoring and annual reporting; donor reporting  and other relevant reporting requirements under Output 1
• Support building partnerships at the country level and coordinate with relevant stakeholders as required
• Provide information and support for the work of sectorial working groups
• Support regional networking, exchange and learning, in line with the GEF Work Plan;
• Provide programmatic and technical support to UN Women in North Macedonia as required

Impact of Results:

The intervention will address challenges in implementation of the national and EU legislative and policy framework for gender equality through support to the institutions mandated for gender equality, and through coordination and monitoring of gender equality procedures and measures among them. The key results have a positive impact on the operation, management, monitoring and reporting of activities, progress and achievements, as well as the creation of synergies, strategic partnerships, and visibility of achieved results.

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring of development projects and activities;
• Ability to lead results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skill;
• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internet, etc.;
• Mature judgment combined with a proactive, resourceful and energetic approach to problem solving;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Strong analytical skills and team building skills;
• Ability to handle conflict and sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively, and creatively across different constituencies; and
• Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Gender/Women’s Studies, Development Studies, European Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, Law, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or closely related fields;
• 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:

• Minimum four years of relevant professional experience in coordinating, implementing and reporting project activities focusing on gender equality/women’s rights and gender policy is required. Previous experience in working with international organizations on this topic is considered an asset;
• In-depth knowledge of the legal and policy framework on gender equality and the relevant international instruments and mechanisms, and thorough conceptual understanding of gender inequalities and the status of women in the country is desirable;
• Evidence of solid knowledge of and familiarity with stakeholders in the country, in particular with national institutions working in the field of EU integration and gender mainstreaming is an asset;
• Proven understanding of and hands-on experience in processes of European Integration and IPA processes in the country is an asset;
• Clear evidence of excellent writing skills and versatility in preparing briefs, technical reports, knowledge products and similar on gender equality issues;
•  Experience in IT Microsoft skills

Language requirements:

• Excellent English and Macedonian language skills