Programme Specialist (Care Economy and Social Protection) at UN Women

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Provide technical support to Country offices in the areas of gender and macro-economics, advancing the care agenda, promoting decent work and social protection as well as other areas of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Portfolio as required.
• Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations
• Support to programme operations (finance, asset management, administration, HR) in line with UN Women corporate rules, regulation and policies
• Support partnership activities at project level
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on programme management and operational matters

Contribute technically to the development of programme strategies in the area of Women’s Economic Empowerment

• Provide substantive inputs to the design and formulation of programme/project proposals and initiatives with a focus on care and social protection at a macro-policy level as well as at programmatic levels;
• Identify areas for support and intervention related to the care and social protection areas of work;
• Identify linkages and synergies between the various projects under the WEE team and across UN Women thematic areas.

Provide substantive technical support to the implementation and management of the Women’s Economic Empowerment programme

• Provide technical inputs to the annual workplan and budget;
• Lead the implementation of programme activities;
• Lead the coordination of the call/request for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees, and capacity assessment of partners;
• Review, coordinate and monitor the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports.

Provide technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Coordinate and provide technical support in the implementation of programme activities in the care and social protection areas of work;
• Provide substantive inputs to the research initiatives in their design, the review of methodologies, data, findings and conclusions at national, regional and country levels;
• Develop technical knowledge products
• Maintain relationships with regional and continental partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women’s Economic Empowerment programme;
• Identify opportunities for capacity building of partners and facilitate technical/ programming support and trainings to partners, as needed.

Provide technical inputs to the monitoring and reporting of the programme/project

• Monitor progress of implementation of activities and finances using results-based management tools;
• Draft reports on monitoring missions, programme results, outputs and outcomes;
• Provide substantive inputs to the preparation of donor and UN Women reports.

Provide substantive technical inputs to the management of people and finances of the Women’s Economic Empowerment programme

• Monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/revisions, as necessary;
• Provide substantive inputs to financial reports.

Provide substantive inputs to building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies

• Provide substantive inputs to resource mobilization strategies; analyze and maintain information and databases;
• Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, briefing notes, speeches, and donor profiles;
• Participate in donor meetings and public information events, as delegated.

Provide technical support to inter-agency coordination on Women’s Economic Empowerment to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in the region

• Provide substantive technical support to the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director on inter-agency coordination related activities by drafting background reports and briefs as delegated.

Provide substantive inputs to advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop background documents, briefs and presentations related to Women’s Economic Empowerment;
• Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
• Coordinate the development of knowledge management methodologies, and products on Women’s Economic Empowerment.

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:

• Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills 
• Good knowledge of Results Based Management 
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations 
• Good analytical skills with excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising 
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, social policy, development studies, gender studies, or a related field 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.

Experience:

• A minimum five (5) years of work experience in planning, implementation, coordinating, monitoring, and reporting the implementation of women’s economic empowerment programmes is required.
• Experience in gender equality programming is required
• Experience working in report writing, knowledge management and preparing communication materials is required.
• Experience working in East and Southern Africa is an asset.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.
• Experience working within or with the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs is an asset
• Experience in leading/managing remote teams and stakeholders is an asset.
• Strong IT skills, knowledge of Quantum system desirable

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English