UN WOMEN: DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE, (PROGRAMME AND OPERATIONS)

UN WOMEN: DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE, (PROGRAMME AND OPERATIONS)

Location :             Abuja, NIGERIA

Application Deadline :    06-Sep-13

Type of Contract :            FTA International

Post Level :         P-4

Languages Required :

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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 will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

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The scope of work of the UN Women Deputy Representative requires experience and in-depth understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues, as well as management and programming expertise, to translate UN Women’s strategic plans into effective development initiatives and results. It also requires developing mutually reinforcing partnerships with relevant Government counterparts, UN organizations, CSOs, and with bilateral and non-traditional donors in order to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN reform, and mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

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Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa, with an estimated population of 170m people representing one sixth of Africa’s population. The Country operates a federal system with a three tiered government structure, the Federal, State and Local governments which serve as governance machinery for programmes and policy implementation. The country is highly diverse and presents complex development challenges.

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The UN Women Representative to Nigeria is also accredited to the ECOWAS and its Executive Secretariat in Abuja.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Deputy Representative is supervised by the Country or Multi-Country Representative who provides strategic guidance and direction to the incumbent. The Deputy Representative supports the Representative in the overall management of the CO/MCO. The incumbent is responsible for substantially contributing to the design, implementation, management and oversight of the country/multi-country programme and to the operations supporting its implementation to ensure effective and efficient delivery of results as planned in UN Women’s Strategic Plan and the Multi/Country Office’s plans.

The incumbent is expected to bring innovative thinking which fits and adapts to the changing environment to the strategic development of the programme portfolio, and to help raise resources to fund it. He/she also plays a key role in ensuring effective use and management of UN Women resources (material, financial and human) in compliance with UN women programming and operational policies and regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Advisory and specialized technical support:

As Deputy Representative, serve as key advisor to the Representative and as a senior member of his/her management team in the CO/MCO strategic discussions and formulation of programs and management operations, including work planning;

Provide specialized technical and strategic support in managing all aspects of CO/MCOprogramme design and management of related activities and for ensuring accountability in programme monitoring, reporting and evaluation;

Support, guide and provide input to assure quality control in the formulation of relevant, high quality, results-based and rights-based country programmesand to ensure programme coherence, technical integrity, inter-unit programme cooperation and coordination;

Provide strategic and specialized technical advice to the Representative and put in place systems, processes and mechanisms to improve/enhanceprogramme planning, implementation, monitoring and timely progress reporting.

Draft policy documents, briefs and other strategic papers/materials for use in the development and presentation of innovative and coherent policy and programmatic positions in support of national development priorities and commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment, incorporating regional and global perspectives and contributing to regional and global strategies;

Review and evaluate proposals submitted to the MCO/CO. Oversee the preparation of donor proposals and reports to ensure quality, timeliness, compliance with requirements as per established rules, regulations, including the commitments under relevant UNDAFs and the UN Women global Strategic Facilitate the review and approval of proposals and reports by the Representative. Take timely action to take any corrective action to meet standards for submissions;

Regularly assess the country level annual work plans, monitor progress on the achievement of goals and targets, and present the Representative with recommendations to assist in development planning;

Establish and maintain alliances and partnerships with various inter-agency partners and working groups to ensure active participation and promotion of UN Women’s vision and mission within the UNDAF and other UN inter-agency frameworks, in close partnership with other UNCT gender advisors/specialists;

Monitor and report on the allocation and use of UN resources allocated to gender equality by the UN system and propose changes to maximize use of resources;

Prepare briefing materials for the UNW Representative on issues to be discussed in UNCT and other events and meetings. Follow up on required action/outstanding issues and report on outcome/result. Alert UNW Representative on critical issues for action to be addressed;

Participate in global practice network on coordination, sharing and learning best practices to keep abreast of and/or to contribute to on-going debates and strategic thinking and to exchange experience and/or seek support on coordination issues affecting UNW and UN system programs and operations.

Programme management, monitoring and oversight:

Recommend and establish program monitoring standards, criteria and other indicators for measuring and assessing progress/results;

Monitor the progress on mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators and take timely support, action and/or decisions as required;

Lead the processes of preparing reports on progress of programme implementation, assessing results and identifying areas for the Representative’s action and/or decision to ensure achievement of results as planned and in accordance with UN Women’s goals and objectives and accountability framework;

Identify areas that may require improvement and capture best practices/lessons learned, using corporate monitoring tools, as well as Audits and other corporate reports. Take action to improve areas of weakness.

Ensure substantive and high quality proposals following the established rules, and regulations, and adhering to the Strategic Plan and Annual Work plans;

Establish and/or support the development of sustainable and solid relationswith counterparts, for effective advocacy and partnerships resulting in the achievement of UN Women goals and objectives in the country, and consequently in the enhanced reputation and credibility of UN Women in delivering results on gender equality and women’s rights.

Support to UNW Representative on Resource Mobilisation, Operations/Office management:

Build and maintain effective partnerships with various stakeholders at regional, national and local levels, for delivery of the women’s rights agenda in the country;

Represent UN Women in government, partners and UN meetings as appropriate and ensure a full brief to the Country Representative

Identify and follow-up opportunities for resource mobilization for UN Women’s work in the country in consultation with the Country Representative.

Support the UN Women Representative in managing activities and other promotional events to engage bilateral and multilateral institutions/donors, private sector; and .

Act as OIC in the absence of the UN Women Representative;

Support the Representative in the management of the CO/MCO;

Manage the formulation of the annual CO/MCO work plan and monitor implementation;

Develop and facilitate an integrated results-based approach to the work of the Country Office using the annual work plan as the road map;

Communicate standards of performance, and assign responsibilities and accountabilities for achieving results.

Support the Representative in the management of human, material, and financial resources, in line with UN Women policies, rules and procedures;

As required coordinate the provision of administrative services with service providers;

Propose and secure annual allocations for the country programme, and ensure the efficient and effective use of such resources in compliance with UN Women financial rules, regulations, and procedures;

Support the Representative in the formulation and implementation of a country resource mobilization strategy;

Empower, and help develop international and national programme staff, under the incumbent’s supervision, providing them with managerial direction , guidance and leadership;

Contribute substantially to staff management as a whole within the CO/MCO, particularly on learning, career management, and teamwork.Establish and maintain a harmonious working environment; seek to strengthen team-building by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels; foster staff motivation, development and empowerment; and lead by example;

As required advise on and support the establishment of a CO security strategy and plan in line with UN

procedures and requirements;

Ensure an ethics-based approach to management of all human and financial resources;

Perform any other duties as may be requested by the UN Women Country Representative.

Substantive support to UN coordination, advocacy and partnership building:

Establish and maintain effective consultations with governments, partners, stakeholders and donors to achieve active collaboration, cooperation and alliances on programme development and implementation, resource mobilization and sustained partnerships;

Represent UN Women in meetings as delegated/appropriate to consult, collaborate and interact on common issues and activities and to participate in the CCA/UNDAF process to ensure the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Actively seek out participation of UN Women in UN system thematic and other working groups to establish effective networks, facilitate joint programming and promote UN Women competencies and interests to advance gender and women’s human rights;

Support the Representative in parnership building and advocate for UN Women with government counterparts, donor community and other partners;

Represent UN Women in national and international fora as requested by the Representative.

Knowledge management and capacity building:

Collect and share good practices and lessons learned on coordination and gender mainstreaming in UN system programming and development at country level to contribute to development of knowledge products and tools in UN Women;

Manage the process of collecting and sharing lessons learned on gender equality and women’s empowerment to build knowledge and capacity of partners and stakeholders;

Design and implement capacity building training activities to enhance skills and knowledge in results based management; results based reporting and budgeting, and systematic quality assurance;

Oversee cutting-edge research and knowledge generation to inform and advise national development priorities and commitments for gender equality and women’s empowerment, ensuring the integration of regional and global contexts and developments;

Contribute to global and regional programme knowledge networks and practices, and development of knowledge products.

Lead the Country Office’s efforts in developing and implementing a communications strategy in line with the UN Women corporate guidelines on communications:

Act as the Focal Person for the Country Office on Communications and advise the Representative on all communications events and activities;

Coordinate and/or carry out information and communication activities to ensure coherence with Corporate UN Women and UNCT information and communication goals and objectives.

Impact of Results:

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The effective support provided by the Deputy Representative to the strategic development and management of programmes, to their effective and efficient integration with operations in the country office, and the technical support provided to UN Women’s coordination mandate, directly impact the quality of UN Women’s programme development, implementation and results and the quality of its technical expertise.

Key results also impact on the success of the UN Country Team activities, strengthening of overall coordination capacity, implementation of the UN System reform and on the design and operation of UN activities, creation of strategic partnerships for UNCT programming including UNDAF implementation and support of national strategies and priorities. This in turn directly impacts on the credibility and image of UN Women as an effective and efficient partner and as the leading knowledge-based technical and advocacy organization for gender equality and for the empowerment of women.

Competencies

Core Values and Guiding Principles:

Integrity:

Demonstrate the values of United Nations and UN Women, act without consideration of personal gain, resist undue political pressure in decision-making, no abuse of power or authority, stand by decisions in the organization’s interest, and take action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior.

Professionalism:

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Show pride in work and achievements, demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter, conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and achieving results, motivated by professional rather than personal concerns, show persistence when faced with challenges, and remain calm in stressful situations.

Respect for Diversity:

Work effectively with people from all backgrounds, treat all people with dignity and respect, treat men and women equally, show respect for and understand diverse opinions by examine own biases and behaviors to avoid stereotypical responses, and do not discriminate against any individual or group.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

Promoting Ethics and Integrity / Creating Organizational Precedents.

Organizational Awareness:Building support and political acumen.

Developing and Empowering People/coaching and mentoring:

Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation.

Working in Teams:

Building and promoting effective teams.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication.

Self-management and Emotional intelligence:

Creating an emotionally intelligent organization.

Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements:

Leveraging conflict in the interests of the organization & setting standards.

Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning:

Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:

Fair and transparent decision-making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

Proven ability in managing and empowering teams to work effectively together in reaching results;

Demonstrated analytical and technical skills in managingdevelopment projects/programmes particularly those that are pertinent to UN Women strategic priorities on gender issues and women’s rights;

Demonstrated political acumen and technical capacity in representing the organization effectively in national and international fora to advocate and to promote organizational priorities, initiatives and a better understanding of the organizational strategic agenda;

Proven ability to lead and to drive results;

Ability to establish and maintain broad strategic networks and partnerships with UN agencies and other international partners to promote partnership and build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies;

Ability to go beyond established procedures and practices, introduce new approaches and strategic innovations;

Good knowledge of Results Based Management principles and approaches;

Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills;

Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in international development, public administration, public policy or other relevant social science fields.

Experience:

A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience that combines intellectual, strategic and managerial leadership in development programmes with a strong focus in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes;

Several years field-based experience working with multi-cultural teams required;

Experience with programme management tools and platforms used by the UN system, including familiarity with ATLAS or a similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is highly desirable.

Language:

Proficiency in written and spoken English;

Knowledge of another UN working language is desirable.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded fromhttp://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.

UN Women Background:

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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.

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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