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.

Over the course of 14 years of successive, brutal civil wars, widespread and gross human rights and women’s rights violations and abuses were committed, more than a quarter million people were killed, nearly a third of the population was displaced, and an estimated 80 percent of women and girls were victims of conflict-related sexual violence. By its resolution 1509 (2003), the Security Council authorized the establishment of UNMIL with a mandate, inter alia, of supporting the implementation of the ceasefire and peace agreements, facilitating human rights and humanitarian assistance, supporting security sector reform, and protecting civilians. As there has been steady improvement in the security of Liberia, and UNMIL’s mandate subsequently shifted in accordance with a new strategic goal of achieving a steady state of security and the development of national security services able to maintain stability independently of the peacekeeping operation.

On 30 June 2016, the Government of Liberia (GOL) has taken over all security functions from UNMIL whose further withdrawal, despite intense UNMIL campaign, causes fear among population from the possibility of pre and post-election violence. Vulnerability of women and girls still remains pronounced in communities despite efforts to resuscitate the protective mechanisms that individuals, families and communities typically provides. This situation continues to undermine sustainable community ownership and solutions for a last peacebuilding effect with emphases on conflict prevention. The organized mobs and gang rapes are still happing in Liberia are the reminders of the violence and uncertainty that existed during the civil war that could easily spread due to a number of ex-combatants or child-soldiers who are now in their adulthood productive age.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) are central to Liberia peace and security. The gender aspects of peace, security and conflicts are part of a complex approach to the problem of women and men who have an influence on or are affected by violence in conflicts.

UN Women has been a key actor on WPS in Liberia focusing on supporting the GoL and civil society partners in development and implementation of NAP 1325, women’s initiatives, especially Women’s Peace Huts, convening the UN system along with national and international partners in addressing VAW and GBV. Transition from a peacekeeping to the sustaining peace context provides Liberia with new opportunities for women’s engagement in all spheres of decision making as a well acknowledged strategy for consolidating peace in the country, although in some areas threats and intimidation are inhibiting factors for women’s full participation it is foreseen. The relation between gender and conflicts is the notion that conflicts adversely affect men and women and produce a specific inequality, particularly for women, a condition that is often neglected and poorly understood. At the same time, the work on GEWE is contributing at large to conflict prevention.

With the new strategic processes currently ongoing in Liberia, such as UNMIL withdrawal and transition of functions to the GoL and UNCT, development of a new Priority Peacebuilding Plan, the upcoming elections and the political transition to new the government, etc; it is essential that UN Women Country Office leads the work of the UNCT on WPS agenda, convenes and coordinates the system around the implementation of the SG’s Seven Point Plan on Gender-Responsive Peacebuilding within the evolving concept of sustaining peace and lead at the country level in implementing the Peacebuilding Commission’s Gender Strategy in Liberia country configuration. In this regard, UN Women is recruiting a WPS and humanitarian action Programme Specialist.

Reporting to the Country Representative, the Programme Specialist exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under his/her portfolio.  She/he works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women RO/HQ staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation under portfolio.    

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide programme development advisory services and develop programmes in the area of Women Peace, Security:

  • Oversee and manage the design and formulation of programme proposals and initiatives; Identify programmatic areas for support and interventions within the Women Peace, Security area;
  • Finalize country strategy documents, programme/ project proposals, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to Women Peace, Security area;
  • Organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders, women leaders, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs on programme design, as necessary.

Manage the implementation and management of the Women Peace, Security area programme:

  • Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
  • Provide programme advisory support to the Office Management within the Women Peace, Security area;
  • Manage the technical implementation of the programme/ project; provide technical advice; ensure synergies with other teams;
  • Review the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports as required;
  • Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;
  • Lead Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings.

Oversee technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners:

  • Provide technical advice to partners;
  • Build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women Peace, Security area programme; respond to any potential problems;
  • Serve as an expert resource to partners on Women Peace, Security area;
  • Implement and oversee capacity building opportunities and initiatives;
  • Provide partners with advanced technical assistance, training and capacity development initiatives.

Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme/ project:

  • Manage the process of monitoring the programme/ project’s resources and finances using results based management tools;
  • Finalize quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
  • Write donor and UN Women reports.

Manage the people and financial resources of the Women Peace, Security programme:

  • Manage the programme budget and finalize financial reports;
  • Manage Programme Consultants; mentor and coach staff and conduct performance assessments;
  • Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

  • Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
  • Finalize relevant documentation on donors and develop potential opportunities for resource mobilization;
  • Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

Manage inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for the Women Peace, Security:

  • Provide substantive technical support to the Representative and Deputy Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees;
  • Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts;
  • Take part in country level Common Country Assessment (CCA)/ United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) processes and similar exercises related to the RC system;
  • Prepare substantive inputs to CCA/ UNDAF and other documents, as necessary.

Lead advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts:

  • Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Women Peace, Security;
  • Manage advocacy strategies and their implementation;
  • Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
  • Lead the development of knowledge management strategies and methodologies and products on Women Peace, Security.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Timely and quality programme strategies and contributions to Strategic Note;
  • Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget, workplans and the Strategic Note, as well as in line with operational rules and regulations, including security;
  • Strong and clear leadership/ supervision of team, including through performance plans and reviews;
  • Partners and other stakeholder provide positive feedback on advisory and technical services;
  • Quality reports and timely submission;
  • Quality of advocacy, communication and knowledge management initiatives;
  • Resources mobilized;
  • Strong relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders.

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:

  • Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills;
  • Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them;
  • Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management;
  • Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making;
  • Excellent knowledge in Women Peace, Security;
  • Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
  • Strong networking skills;
  • Ability to negotiate and interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
  • Technical experience in Women Peace, Security area;
  • Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset;
  • Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
  • Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset. 

Languages:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required;
  • Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

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.

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.