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 centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system-wide efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action. It provides strong and coherent leadership and technical advice in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
A gender perspective in humanitarian action is vital to understanding the different needs of women, girls, boys and men in order to generate positive and sustainable outcomes. In times of crisis, gender roles and dynamics change, women often resort to negative coping mechanisms and GBV becomes more prevalent. It is essential to capture these issues in Uganda’s humanitarian response, both at the individual programming level in project design and in programme analysis and development.
In recent months there has been a sudden increase in the humanitarian crisis in Uganda. Insecurity in neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, has led to an increase of refugees to Uganda. In addition, food insecurity and malnutrition has risen. The aim of the project is to safeguard Gender Equality in all humanitarian action interventions and coordination mechanisms and ensure women's rights advocates are empowered to voice their needs in humanitarian crisis and beyond.
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist and Head of sub office, the Gender and Humanitarian Officer analyzes political, social and economic trends and supports formulation, management, operation, humanitarian partner support and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides advisory services to partners in local government, UN and CSOs in West Nile and Northern Uganda. Through the Gender and Humanitarian Specialist, provides analysis for formulation of strategies and briefings to senior management while being based in Gulu with regular travel to the Refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:
- Implementation of humanitarian programmes, processes and procedures;
- Project financial management and budget awareness
- Monitoring and evaluation of Humanitarian programmes;
- Advocacy and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
Technical Support
- Under the guidance of the supervisor, facilitates the organisation, coordination, monitoring and reporting on the activities of UN Women Humanitarian Projects in West Nile and Northern Uganda and partners in relation to implementation of the projects;
- Review and analyze project components, develop project resource profiles and timelines.
- Assess delivery issues and work with national counterparts to build common understanding and coordination on project activities.
- Participate in the formulation, design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UN Women Humanitarian Programmes in West Nile and northern Uganda;
- Provide technical advice and support to implementing partners to apply lessons learnt and recommendations from project evaluation;
- Ensure quality and timely implementation of the programme, including documentation of good practices, success stories as well as high quality and timely reporting for results;
- In close collaboration with partners, monitor programme delivery and take timely corrective action as necessary, in line with UN Women policies and procedures;
- Maintain budget awareness and ensure funds are utilised in line with agreed plan and budgets. Entering projects into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review;
- Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
- Maintain awareness of contractual obligations with donors and ensure full compliance of reporting requirements;
- Conduct environmental policy scanning on a continuous basis for West Nile and Northern Uganda and regularly update and advise the head office accordingly.
Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:
- In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist – collect, compile, analyse and share periodic data/ information on programme performance to inform continued programme efficiency and effectiveness;
- Ensure effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results, in close collaboration with the M&E Specialist;
- Ensure that aggregate reports are regularly prepared and submitted on time.
Administrative and Miscellaneous Duties:
- Ensure all travel undertaken complies with all requirements for travel and is approved in line with the travel plan;
- Participate in writing program proposals;
- Other duties as required.
Key Performance Indicators
- Timely and quality inputs to programme design
- Timely and quality inputs to workplans and budgets
- Adherence to UN Women standards and rules
- Timely monitoring and tracking of programme results and finances
- Timely organization of events
- Number of knowledge products developed
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
Functional Competencies
- Programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
- Knowledge of Results Based Management
- Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings
- Good analytical skills
- Good knowledge of Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action
Required Skills and Experience
Education and certification:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/ women’s studies, international development, or a related field is required
Experience:
- 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in gender equality and women’s empowerment programming and implementation as well as providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
- Demonstrate analytical and advocacy skills on gender equality, women’s rights and empowerment of women issues especially with regard to policy advocacy in line with security council resolution 1325, CEDAW and BFPA;
- Familiarity and experience with UN inter-agency coordination processes and or results-based management for advancing gender equality and women’s rights would be an asset;
- Strong links with national networks on gender equality and women’s rights in Uganda;
- Experience in capacity building, gender mainstreaming and gender auditing required;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is a must;
- Advanced spoken level of local languages in West Nile and Northern Uganda is required;
- Basic working knowledge in any of the UN working languages in Uganda is an added advantage.