Regional Project Coordination Specialist, Generation Equality at UN Women

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions:

Lead the design, coordination and implementation of the Generation Equality Phase II project in the region:

• Coordinate the overall project work plan development and implementation according to Strategic Note and Phase II Pro Doc;
• Liaise with the regional counterparts, donors, UN Women and partners to ensure the project results are achieved and resources are managed;
• Prepare and present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to UN Women and other stakeholders as necessary;
• Establish systems for project planning, implementation and monitoring in collaboration with partners;
• Record and maintain documents on relevant project activities, issues, and risks.

Manage coordination with regional partners and other stakeholders:

• Strengthen Commitment Makers’ capacities to implement commitments;
• Prepare and apply regional /country specific technical guidance on leveraging UN system mechanisms, platforms and potential entry points for UN system coordination to ensure the delivery of the Generation Equality commitments, including through the development of joint UN initiatives and the production of joint thematic knowledge products;
• Develop and implement a regional/country strategy to support the implementation of partners’ Generation Equality commitments in alignment with the RO / CO Strategic Note and Phase II Pro Doc;
• Develop and implement a regional/country monitoring mechanism to ensure the implementation of UN Women’s own Generation Equality commitments where relevant;
• Develop and deliver a Commitment Maker Engagement Strategy at regional and country levels to ensure engagement of new Commitment Makers and Compact signatories;
• Partner with Action Coalition Leaders, Compact Board and catalytic members at regional and country level to issue calls to action to advocate for implementation of commitments;
• Provide technical support and capacity building through mechanisms such as tools, resources, round tables, and learning events to priority Commitment Makers to strengthen commitment implementation at regional and country level;
• Organize peer-to-peer learning sessions and strategic dialogue events for Commitment Makers at regional and country level;
• Coordinate with existing regional bodies, of which UN Women is a member, to drive commitments implementation and UN system coordination;
• Undertake assessments of commitment makers’ strategies and plans to ensure adequate focus to invest in civil society and youth organizations.

 Provide support and guidance to Country Offices in establishing and convening multi-stakeholder platforms for collective action:

• In consultation with Country Offices, establish and implement demand-driven country identification process against agreed criteria for pathfinder country pilots;
• Provide technical support to Country Offices for the establishment of pathfinder country pilots;
• Convene at least one annual high-level political dialogue on Generation Equality themes, harnessing the energy    of Action Coalition leaders and commitment makers and Compact Signatories, as a methodology to advance concrete advocacy objectives;
• Support mainstreaming inclusive, intergenerational, and multi-stakeholder structures    in    countries    by    developing    and disseminating evidence-based knowledge on the suggested    roles    of    these    structures/    their governance   mechanisms/   composition/modus operandi / partnerships’ management;
• Lead and deliver an advocacy and communications strategy at regional and national levels to bring visibility to Generation Equality core objectives; showcase regional and country level stories of impact and drive co-ownership and co-accountability;
• Support    Action Coalition    Leaders    and    Compact    Board Members in   actively   engaging   in   the   Action Coalitions/the   Compact   structures and regular   meetings;
• Facilitate cross-thematic collaboration between Action Coalitions/Compact that break up siloes, advance thematic synergies and foster collective action;
• Support Leaders and Commitment Makers in the annual commitments reporting to produce the annual accountability report.
• Coordinate advocacy and communications efforts at to bring visibility to the Generation Equality follow up and support its progressive policy agenda. 

  Manage the monitoring and reporting of the project:

• Supervise and manage staff, review performance and mentor/ coach staff [as applicable];
• Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting from the planning to the evaluation stages;
• Monitor the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds; oversee regular monitoring visits;
• Finalize annual and quarterly reports;
• Provide project inputs to Regional Office reporting;
• Ensure the delivery of baseline, monitoring, evaluation plans and reports.

 Contribute to Resource Mobilization efforts on Generation Equality:

• Actively support resource mobilization on the Generation Equality Project Document and expand / deepen UN Women’s overall partnerships in the region;
• Contribute to the whole-of-organization approach of Generation Equality in collaboration with UNW colleagues and in alignment with the approved Generation Equality Project Document.

Manage financial resources and supervise staff:

• Supervise and manage staff, review performance and mentor/ coach staff [as applicable];
• Develop and prepare annual workplans, financial resources of the programme including budgeting and budget revisions, and expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Oversee and monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to participating partners;
• Ensure appropriate actions are taken to optimize use of programme funds.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality technical advice and support internally within UN Women and externally with partners;
• New Generation Equality priority commitments from the region made across stakeholders, including through new and/or expanded partnerships;
• Pathfinder Country Pilots established and launched;
• Political dialogues held to advance new commitments and accountability for implementation;
• List of prioritized commitments and technical support plans for implementation;
• Stories of progress on commitments advanced and disseminated;
• Strong relationships with various partners and stakeholders to fortify the reputation of Generation Equality;
• Commitment Maker engagement strategy and cultivation of cross-thematic synergies;
• Contributions to resource mobilization for Generation Equality as a whole;
• Collaborative opportunities and outputs to drive UN system coordination for Generation Equality;
• Timely and quality implementation of project activities against set workplans, timelines and budgets;
• Quality and timely reporting.

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:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
• Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skill;
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them;
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making;
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management;
• Strong knowledge of UN programme management systems;
• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
• Strong networking skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, business administration or management, public administration, or other related fields; or a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience.

Experience:   

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in project coordination, including project design, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building;
• Experience working on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing;
• Proven experience in leading teams effectively.
• Experience in or with the United Nations system is an asset.
• Experience working with, and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field;
• Experience leading a team.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.