Policy Specialist- Women Peace and Security at UN Women

Duties And Responsibilities

Oversee the development of regional and country-level programmes in the area of Women Peace and Security (WPS)

• Oversee the development and implementation of regional programmes and project on WPS
• Provide technical inputs to programme proposals from country offices;
• Provide advice on contextualizing/ localizing programme documents, country strategies, and knowledge products;
• Coordinate monitoring and reporting for WPS in collaboration with programme teams.
• Provide strategic planning support for regional activities and strategies addressing WPS and their incorporation into Regional Strategies and annual work plan.

Provide capacity building support to Country Office/Multi Country Office on WPS programming

• Provide substantive technical and policy support to country office and multi country office programme teams in developing and strengthening WPS portfolio: Country Office Strategic Plans, Annual Workplans and programmes;
• Develop, implement and monitor capacity building initiatives for Country Offices.
• Provide technical support to partners on implementation of WPS programmes and projects;
• Provide technical policy advice to WPS programme/project managers

Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with stakeholders, regional/ international actors and development partners:

• Build, manage, and expand relationships with reginal and national partners, including development partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women, Peace and Security programme;
• Provide technical advice to partners and oversee capacity building opportunities and initiatives;
• Produce periodic updates, briefs and analysis on regional/country dynamics of the Women Peace and Security portfolio to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ;
• Closely liaise with relevant colleagues at County/Regional offices and HQ.

Manage the resource mobilization strategy for Women Peace and Security in the region

• Participate in the implementation, monitoring and periodic updating of the resource mobilization strategy on Women Peace and Security in the region;
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and develop potential opportunities for resource mobilization.
• Provide technical support to field-based presences in the region in mobilizing resources for the implementation of Women Peace and Security portfolio;

Review budget management for Regional Office WPS programmes and manage people:

• Lead and supervise WPS team, including by performing personnel performance reviews and ensuring ongoing capacity development of personnel by suggesting development opportunities;
• Monitor budget and financial delivery of the WPS programme to ensure timely allocation and utilization of resources, in line with UN Women rules and regulations and against agreed targets and expected results and using appropriate business management systems;
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination between offices, programmes and projects.

Oversee Monitoring And Reporting For The WPS Portfolio

• Oversee the monitoring of progress against mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators;
• Gather information and prepare reports on progress of programme implementation for donors, including technical reports and periodic (quarterly/annual) progress reports;
• Provide technical support in the preparation of audits and evaluations and follow up on the implementation of audit and evaluation findings and recommendations related to the regional WPS portfolio.

Oversee the design of WPS in the region and the development of relevant knowledge products:

• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to WPS;
• Work closely with and provide advice to regional/ national bodies and interagency groups that influence national and regional policies related to WPS;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
• Research, develop and present analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence, and knowledge products on WPS.

Key Performance Indicators

• WPS programmes are implemented in line with Strategic Notes and Annual Work plans and budgets;
• Programme teams adhere to UN Women’s Rules, Regulations, policies and procedures, using a results-based management approach;
• Timely and quality technical advice and support;
• Quality reports and other strategic documents are drafted and submitted in a timely manner;
• Strong relationships are built and maintained with various partners and stakeholders.

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 programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Excellent knowledge of women peace and security;
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
• Ability to synthesize programme performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management;
• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
• Strong networking and partnerships-building skills;
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative research, and use evidence to inform policy advocacy and technical advice;
• Excellent analytical and communications skills; ability to write high-quality papers, speeches, briefings and reports;
• Strong knowledge of UN programme management systems.

Required Skills And Experience

Education and Certification

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, Gender 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

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, including programme design, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building.
• Technical experience in Women Peace and Security, preferably with field experience in managing and/or overseeing related programmes, including policy development.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.
• Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
• Proven experience in leading teams effectively.

Language

• Fluency in English is required;
• Working knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.