JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

Consultancy Assignment

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Programme Management Specialist — PMSU, the Programme Management Consultant is responsible for:

• Providing advisory support and guidance on project and programme management
• Strengthening the capacities of project and programme teams across the region
• Leading the development and implementation of the Regional Office’s new initiatives.

1 Provide advisory support and guidance on project and programme management and manage the strategic alignment and quality assurance efforts.

• Manage the monitoring of project and programme implementation, including programme partner management to ensure adherence to implementation rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results, and keep supervisor informed.
• Analyze and ensure alignment of project and programme budgets with logical framework matrices and work plans in support to results based budgeting and appropriate cost recovery.
• Prepare the project and programme teams for audit and monitor implementation of audit recommendations across the region and ensure a tracking system is set up to monitor status of actions taken to enhance implementation.
• Provide technical advice on the corporate requirements and process of project quality assurance mechanisms at the project entry and implementation stages at the country, regional and global levels.

2 Strengthen capacities of project and programme teams across the region.

• Contribute to data, information, and analysis on programmatic areas for the Regional Quarterly Business Review (QBR).
• Design and deliver tailored training programmes to enhance regional capacities on results-based management and programme partner management.

3 Leading the development and implementation of the Regional Office’s special initiatives.

• Provide strategic and technical advice to the Regional Director in the development and execution of regional special initiatives;
• Coordinate, across the Regional Office’s thematic units, inputs to the development and implementation of the regional special initiatives;
• Support and contribute to the organisation of corporate partnership engagement activities and events. In support of regional special initiatives targeting (not limited to) strategic prospects and non-traditional donors.
• Support and contribute to the development of partnerships engagement material in support of regional special initiatives, through expert and guidance on proposal development and submission process.

4 The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

key Performance Indicators

• Percentage of project and partner agreements reviewed within prescribed timelines.
• Percentage of projects/agreements aligned with corporate quality assurance standards.
• Percentage of audit recommendations tracked and closed within agreed timelines.
• Number of regional special initiatives coordinated and reported on.
• Percentage of thematic units contributing inputs to regional initiatives on time.
• Increased coverage of UN Women”s mandate and achievements in the region.
• Enhanced quality and frequency of content created by programme and CO teams.
• Increased engagement with non-traditional partners or new prospects

Deliverables

Deliverables: Timelines

Programme management and programme quality support:

Quality technical advice provided to programme teams in the development and implementation of WCARO projects.
Assurance quality in the review of projects proposals and partner agreements submitted for the RO review.
Technical advice to RO and CO in the preparation of audits.: Monthly

Regional and country office capacity-building:

Q3 QBR Analysis shared with RO and CO staff
Training materials and content developed on RBM for RO and CO staff.
Guidance and lessons learned are disseminated during monthly RO and CO meetings.: Monthly

Development and implementation of special regional initiatives:

Regular monitoring of special initiatives and reporting to RD.
Facilitation of outreach to non-traditional partners and donors on special initiatives, in consultation with the Regional Partnership Officer.
Coordination of thematic units’ support to special initiatives.
Adequate guidance in the development of partnerships engagement material, in consultation with the Regional Partnership Specialist: Monthly

Final report about the key activities, progress and achievements performed during the period of performance.: End of contract

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent presentation, facilitation and interpersonal skills;
• Strong knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) and programme/project management.
• Demonstrates strong skills in writing policies, procedures and guidance;
• Results-Based Management (RBM), financial oversight, monitoring and evaluation, risk management, and compliance.
• Excellent ability and work experience in developing online content and presence, and drafting policies, procedures and guidance;
•  Demonstrated ability to prepare offices for audits and track recommendations.
•  Proven skills in capacity building, including developing and delivering training packages.
• Experience in coordinating key stakeholders from different units/departments; and
• Proficient with office software packages and cloud-based systems.

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in programme/project management, development studies, economics, public administration, international relations, or other relevant social sciences 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.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, coordination support or change management is required.
• Proven track record of drafting and advising on high quality proposals, reports, strategic notes and related documents for senior officials is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with donor institutions through external representation.
• Technical expertise in all aspects of project management including planning, financial management, budget management, risk management, communications and stakeholder engagement is desirable.
• Experience with dealing with bilateral and multilateral funding sources is desirable.
• Prior experience with UN Women is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in English and French is required.

Statements :

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.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.