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.

Under its Strategic Note 2018-2023; PNG Country Office focuses on delivering programmes that are aligned to global norms, policies and standards under four thematic areas;

• Women’s leadership and political participation
• Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Ending Violence Against Women
• Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Actions

UN Women’s work towards women’s economic empowerment addresses the linkages between the sustainable development goals to end hunger (Goal 1), Achieve Gender Equality (Goal 5), Make cities and urban settlements inclusive and safe (Goal 11). The structural interlinkages between gender equality and sustainable urban development have been recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which emphasizes the role of efficient urbanization as the right path towards sustainable development. Working in partnership with provincial governments and development partners, UN Women is contributing to the vision of making cities and urban settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable with a focus on markets. In 2020, UN Women PNG CO increased its coverage from 1 province and 3 markets to working in 7 provinces and 11 markets of PNG, where there is an increasing demand for gender sensitive urban and district planning and implementation and interest in improving women’s economic empowerment.

This position will manage a growing portfolio of projects aimed towards improving gender sensitive urban development and better income security for women. Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, the Programme Management Specialist will be responsible for leading the design, managing the implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects earmarked for women’s economic empowerment in the Papua New Guinea Country Office (PNG CO), including overseeing and guiding project personnel and budget management for the women’s economic empowerment portfolio, building partnerships and providing support in developing resource mobilization strategies, and managing knowledge building efforts, initiatives on WEE.

1. Provide technical support to the implementation of the WEE portfolio

• Articulate and review periodic and annual work plans to assure compliance with UN Women programme goals and results-based indicators.
• Analyze and ensure alignment of project budgets with logical framework, results matrices and work plans.
• Provide programme quality control, identify potential challenges and offer support to timely resolve implementation bottlenecks.
• Identify and promote synergies with other thematic areas.
• Monitor and analyze financial situation on the portfolios and programmes to ensure adherence to delivery rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results.
• Collaborate with operations team, and in close liaison with Operations Manager and other team members ensure programme activities comply with UN Women rules and regulations.
• Draft briefing notes, policy briefs and other analytical briefs on WEE.

2. Manage the monitoring and reporting for the WEE Portfolio

• Recommend and establish programme monitoring standards, criteria, and other indicators for measuring and assessing progress/results;
• Draft reports on activities, outputs and outcomes; and compile information in preparations of country office donor, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and UN Women reports;
• Manage the monitoring of mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators;
• Coordinate the process of gathering information and preparing progress reports on programme implementation; prepare technical reports;
• Prepare programme team for audits and monitor implementation of audit recommendations;
• Provide training on results-based management and any other relevant areas to staff, as necessary.

3. Oversee and guide the programme team

• Lead a team, perform staff performance reviews, ensure capacity development of staff members by suggesting development opportunities;
• Manage consultants under portfolio, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and payments
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination across the office, between programmes, projects and operations, within the UN System in PNG and with other UN Women offices and units.
• Actively participate in the management team and contribute to office-wide/corporate priorities.

4. Build partnerships and provide support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UN Women, country needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships.
• Build and manage relationships with national partners, private sector, development partners and other UN agencies as required.
• Actively participate in UN system coordination mechanisms
• Analyze and research information on donors, draft substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for resource mobilization and cost sharing;
• Identify emerging opportunities to expand the WEE portfolio and develop proposals for programme funding

5. Manage knowledge building efforts

• Manage the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the programme and contribute to their global dissemination.

Key Performance Indicators

• Programme team workplans and budgets are developed and implemented in line with Strategic Note; PNG CO and SPD work plans;
• Programme team adhere to UN Women’s Rules, Regulations, policies and procedures, using a results-based management approach;
• Programmes are implemented according to workplan and budget;
• Regular monitoring of programmes, issues/deviations are raised in a timely manner;
• Timely and quality reporting and regular dissemination and sharing of information, including best practices/ lessons learned;
• Timely and quality inputs/contributions to office-wide and corporate priorities

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

Functional Competencies

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
• Good knowledge of UN programme management systems

Education and certification: 

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Business Studies, Public Administration or related field.
• 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:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, including programme design, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building;
• At least 2 years experience in working in economic empowerment related area is an asset;
• Experience in managing gender related programmes is an asset;
• Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing;
• Experience in leading teams effectively. 

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required;
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.