Background

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in support of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. It was launched in September 2017 by the UN Secretary General and the EU High Representative and Vice President. The 500 million Euro Initiative provides a model for partnerships with donors, civil society, and the UN to deliver on the SDGs in a comprehensive manner leveraging comparative expertise. SDG 5 and the achievement of gender equality are placed at the center of efforts (alongside Goal 16) with the aim to provide an enabling environment for the implementation of all goals. Within the UN, the Initiative will operationalize the UN development system reforms and model a new way of delivering on the SDGs in an integrated way, leveraging collaborative advantages.

The Spotlight Initiative in Papua New Guinea will be implemented through four Recipient UN Organisations (RUNOs -- UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF) with a focus on addressing intimate partner violence and domestic violence. It follows a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in PNG is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable PNG. This contributes to implementation of PNG’s National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence (2016-2025), with attention to holistic prevention and responses to violence against women and girls.

The position reports directly to the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Women Country Representative who is responsible for the overall delivery of the Initiative. The position also reports directly to UN Women Deputy Country Representative on the technical aspects of the Initiative, due to UN Women holding the role of technical coherence within the Initiative. The Programme Technical Specialist and Coordinator will hold overall responsibility for both operational and technical guidance and coordination of the Spotlight Initiative. S/he will provide strategic engagement with the Government counterparts, high-level programme oversight and monitoring, and quality assurance of the programme components, in coordination with the Civil Society Interim Group and the National Steering Committee. S/he works with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Communications Specialist to provide reporting and monitoring as well as appropriate sharing of lessons learned and communication. The Specialist also provides oversight of and support to the Programme Manager of UN Women who will support the Specialist on technical aspects of the Initiative. S/he also manages the Programme Associate based in the Resident Coordinator’s office who will provide logistical and administrative support.

The Technical Specialist and Coordinator requires experience and in-depth understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment, and expertise in developing capacities with Government and civil society institutions, to translate gender equality priorities, specifically on EVAWG, into effective development results. 

Duties and Responsibilities

ON behalf of the Resident Coordinator, ensure effective overall strategic coordination of the Spotlight Initiative

  • Coordinate the tracking of funds approved by the National Steering Committee and their proper administration
  • Provide advice to the Resident Coordinator and UN Women on the implementation of the initiative
  • Ensure consistency between programme activities, the Spotlight Initiative Country Programme Document and decisions by the National Steering Committee
  • Coordinate the preparation of consolidated analytical results-based progress reports based on submissions from RUNOs within the timetable specified in the contract between the UN and EU
  • Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to prepare strategic materials, briefs and/or position papers on emerging results and outcomes of the Initiative for the National Steering Committee
  • Provide periodic summary reports to the National Steering Committee on the overall progress
  • Ensure contributing partners and stakeholders are kept informed of the activities
  • Provide periodic updates and briefings
  • Support RUNOs to negotiate agreements and work plans with provincial authorities in accordance with the objectives of the Spotlight Initiative
  • Mobilize and interact with the RCO, RUNOs, associated UN agencies, the EU locally and other relevant entities to appropriately respond to any needs occurring within the Initiative
  • Serve as the main contact for internal communications and reporting on the Spotlight Initiative with internal and external partners
  • Ensure appropriate communication on the Spotlight Initiative at meetings with other UN bodies, donors and PNG Government, and promote building broader support for the Initiative.
  • Use networks to promote the Spotlight Initiative with partner organizations, as well as other Spotlight countries in the region
  • Promote regional exchanges of lessons learned and experiences on ending violence against women and girls and harmful practices within Pacific region and with Spotlight Initiative Coordinators across the world.

On behalf of UN Women, provide technical oversight, assistance and capacity building to the Spotlight Initiative, and be responsible for technical coherence of the Initiative in PNG:

  • Report to the Resident Coordinator and UN Women Country Representative on programme performance and results
  • Ensure overall technical coherence of Programme across pillars, in line with the Country Programme Document
  • Provide strategic thinking, technical advice and innovative approaches to facilitating programme interventions
  • Guide the process of delivery of technical assistance and engagement with partners, as per the planned activities within the Country Programme
  • Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to support the elaboration of narrative reports for final clearance by the Resident Coordinator and UN Women
  • Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to prepare analytical reviews and systematically capture lessons learnt from the programme implementation
  • Support all agencies and Resident Coordinator in the development of a joint resource mobilization and sustainability strategy for the Initiative
  • Monitor identified programme risks and provide support and guidance to mitigate and address them in a timely manner
  • Identify capacity building needs and support partners through technical assistance, mentoring, training, cross-partner learning, and capacity development initiatives.

Provide technical guidance for UN Women on the Spotlight Initiative

  • Provide support to the UN Women Programme Manager to ensure timely and high-quality implementation of UN Women specific activities
  • Provide technical assistance to the Civil Society Organizations Capacity Development Hub, supporting programme implementation
  • Identify capacity building needs of implementing partners and provide support to the UN Women Programme Manager to lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners.
  • Contribute to performance reviews and mentor/ coach the UN Women Programme Manager
  • Provide support to the Programme Manager to ensure high quality and timely reporting of UN Women programme activities

Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management and communication, in collaboration with the Communications Specialist and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist:

  • Establish a mechanism for knowledge sharing by the RUNOs and support the M&E specialist to identify and articulate lessons learnt on the operations of the Spotlight Initiative through such mechanisms
  • Encourage innovative methodologies by the RUNOs and support sharing of good practices across the Programme
  • Lead the formulation of guidelines and procedures that would further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Spotlight Initiative implementation
  • Ensure documentation of the programme implementation process and products produced are in accordance with UN Women guidelines
  • Represent RCO and UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to the Spotlight Initiative as necessary

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Timely and quality implementation of Spotlight Initiative activities against set workplans, timelines and budgets
  • Quality and timely reporting
  • Strong relations with partners and stakeholders
  • Regular and timely monitoring of activities 
  • Enhanced best practices and lessons learned documented and circulated

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

  • Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
  • Strong budget and finance skills
  • Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Good knowledge of UN programme management systems
  • Demonstrated experience in working to prevent and respond to Gender based violence in a developing country context
  • Ability to develop respectful relationships within a Melanesian context

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences or other related areas is required.
  • 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.

Work Experience:

  • At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of complex development projects.
  • Minimum 3 years of technical experience in working on violence against women and girls in Pacific, Papua New Guinea, or similar contexts, is an asset.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.
  • Experience working in the UN System is an asset.
  • Experience managing an EU-funded projects is an asset;
  • Minimum 3 years of Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Language Requirement:

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.
  • Knowledge of Tok Pisin 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 https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558. 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.