Programme Analyst

Spotlight Initiative was established by the UN Secretary-General as a flagship initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls (EVAWG). Spotlight Initiative proposes an unprecedented and innovative approach to delivering a comprehensive package of interventions to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls that places women and girls at the center of solutions, demonstrated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) acceleration and localization, and provided a platform for operationalization of the United Nations Development System reforms. The Initiative was launched in 2017 with initial USD 530 million seed funding from the European Union, as well as complementary contributions from Portugal and Albania. With the first generation of country and regional programmes having concluded implementation at the end of 2023, the Initiative has proven that a comprehensive theory of change and new way of working with a range of stakeholders, including the central role of civil society, through a coordinated, whole-of-society, whole-of-government, system-wide approach, can achieve transformative results to end violence against women and girls. 

In 2024, Spotlight Initiative entered its new phase, establishing the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund and launching a new generation of programmes under the umbrella framework of Spotlight Initiative, applying lessons learned from its first 2017-2023 phase. With the ambition to raise an additional USD 1 billion over the next 5 years, “Spotlight Initiative 2.0” builds on lessons learned from the first generation of programmes and aims to diversify its donor and partnership base.

To complement the work of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund and its Fund Secretariat, and as part of the broader umbrella framework of the Spotlight Initiative, the UN and the European Union developed the Spotlight Initiative High-Impact Programme for Violence Elimination by 2030 (HIVE Programme). This joint programme works under the overall umbrella of the Spotlight Initiative anchored in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the UN, is implemented by UN Women and UNDP, and links directly to the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund as it transitions to its second generation of programming. The overall objective of this programme is to ensure the achievements and results of the Spotlight Initiative are sustained and contribute to comprehensive and effective country programmes on EVAWG and to increased global awareness, knowledge sharing and networking on EVAWG. Specifically, the programme will contribute to the following outputs:

• Data and research on GBV and various forms of violence at global and regional level is enhanced and disseminated.
• Technical package in line with the Spotlight Initiative model, and evidence-based strategies, knowledge, and tools on violence against women and girls is consolidated and made available for new programmes and advocacy purposes
• Global and regional strategic partnerships are expanded to advance efforts on ending gender-based violence, including through communication, behavior change strategies, events and campaigns.
• Increased expertise at country level to ensure the development and sustainability of comprehensive programmes to end violence against women and girls in line with the Spotlight Initiative model.

Scope of Work: 

The Spotlight Initiative HIVE programme is looking for a Programme Analyst to support the development and roll out of the new generation of Spotlight Initiative country and regional programmes in line with the objectives above. Under the supervision of the Programme and Reporting Specialist at the Spotlight Initiative HIVE programme, and in close collaboration with other members of the Spotlight Initiative global team (Spotlight Initiative HIVE programme and the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund Secretariat), the incumbent will contribute to the UN country and regional teams’ efforts in designing, resourcing and rolling out such new Spotlight Initiative programmes. 

As part of delivery of key tasks, the incumbent is expected to travel on country missions to partner countries, estimated to 4-8 missions a year. 

Support delivery of advice and guidance to UNCTs on the development of new Spotlight Initiative programmes

In close collaboration with other members/thematic subteams of the Spotlight Initiative global team, support the delivery of advice and guidance to UN country or regional teams (UNCTs) and share materials related to the various programme development components of Spotlight Initiative, including on Spotlight Initiative’s model and key features, programme strategy, principles and approach, governance and management modalities, budget, result framework and theory of change, accountability mechanisms, reporting, as well as issues of knowledge management, communication, and visibility, sustainability. This to ensure the key features and minimum requirements of the Spotlight Initiative’s model are incorporated into the programme framework, and also that the model is properly contextualized and that the design process leads to regional, national, and local ownership and leadership contributing to sustainable and transformative change

Coordinate engagement between assigned UNCTs and the Spotlight Initiative global team to foster interest in Spotlight Initiative programming and share information, including through support to knowledge sharing, capacity development, and quality programme development and design.

Address queries and support any ad hoc requests from UNCTs as part of the programme design/development process. 

Contribute to the development of concept notes and programme documents

Support UNCTs in the development of and provide quality assurance of programme design documents (concept notes or programme documents), applying the global Spotlight Initiative model and principles to the local context. This with primary focus on programme management modalities, governance, accountability, UN joint programming, application of business efficiency mechanisms, and budgets. 

Coordinate with the Spotlight Initiative global team’s thematic subteams for contribution to and review of the various concept notes and/or programme documents to guarantee quality and alignment with Spotlight Initiative’s model and key features. Consolidate and quality-assurance programme document packages for approval of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund, in liaison with the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund Secretariat.

As relevant, support UNCTs in the organization of consultations with stakeholders, including government counterparts, technical and financial partners, donors, civil society organizations, women’s rights organizations, private sector and others. 

Ensure that the process for developing programme documents is inclusive and guided by the ‘Leave No One Behind’ (LNOB) approach and the ‘Do No Harm’ principle. The process should also guarantee national/regional ownership and leadership.

Foster partnerships with key stakeholders, and contribute to knowledge management, advocacy, and resource mobilization efforts for programme development

Organize meetings and ensure effective information flow, communication, and coordination between the Spotlight Initiative global team and UNCTs, particularly UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices (RCOs), throughout programme design and roll out. 

In partnership with the Partnerships Team of Spotlight Initiative, support strategic advocacy efforts to mobilize resources and ensure coherence between national and global level efforts in resource mobilization. This may include supporting the organization of high-level events and donor round tables in partnership with UNCTs. Support the delivery of advice to UNCTs on opportunities for resource mobilization for the Spotlight Initiative programme.

Support the application of best practices and knowledge in programme design among UNCTs.

Support knowledge sharing between UNCTs in programme design and roll out process to stimulate cross-country learning and capacity development.

Facilitate tracking and analysis of trends in budgetary issues, staffing, governance arrangements, and other elements in the design and implementation of programmes to inform guidance development, improvements in programme design stages, and strategic decision-making. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Minimum Education requirements:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Development Economics, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in coordination and management support of joint UN programmes or other inter-agency pooled funding instruments in domains of sustainable development, at the country or regional office level in development settings.

Required skills:

• Experience with and knowledge of UNSDG policies and practices of pooled funding / joint UN programming and of the UN Development System Reform processes.
• Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section             
• Experience with programming on gender equality, women’s empowerment and/or the elimination of violence against women and girls.
• Experience working on complex projects involving multiple partners at global, regional, and national levels – including government, civil society organizations, donors, and UN Agencies, preferably in developing countries.
• Experience with EU-funded programming.
• Proven experience in partnerships and resource mobilization

Required Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
• Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/24566