JOB VACANCY : PROGRAMME SPECIALIST

Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline : 23-Feb-09
Type of Contract : 200 Series
Post Number : 200
Post Level : L-3 (ICS-10)
Languages Required : English, French
Duration of Initial Contract : 1 Year

Background

UNIFEM Africa section section covers four sub regional Offices in Kenya, Johannesburg, Kigali, Dakar , with a liaison office in Addis Abeba and twelve programme countries in Burundi, Cameroon, Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, DRC, Uganda, Tanzania , Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia, With a total budget of approximately 40 millions US dollars in core and cost sharing resources, UNIFEM Africa work along four major priority areas. Feminized Poverty, Governance, violence against women and HIV and AIDS.

The section in New York at the momento has five persons as follow. The section Chief, two programme specialists, one finance assistant, one programme assóciate. The present position will bring the number of programme specialist to three.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of UNIFEM Africa section , the Programme Specialist will provide analytical, technical and managerial support to the Chief and to the Regional Programme Director (RPD) in one of the sub region of the Africa Region. The Programme Specialist will be responsible for programme/project development and management in collaboration with the RPDs and the relevant thematic advisors.

The Programme Specialist supervises and leads programme support staff, coordinates activities of the consultants, works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in field offices, thematic advisors, technical experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful implementation of UNIFEM programme in the region

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions :

* Implementation of programme strategies in accordance with UNIFEM SP.
* Support to the management of programme in one of the sub region.
* Support the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy .
* Provision of top quality policy advice services to the SROs and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
* Ensures implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
* Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the region and preparation of substantive inputs to support Sub regional offices to input into CCA, UNDAF, PRS and other policy documents.
* Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
Section's business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.
* Ensures effective management of the Section's programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the programme activities achieving the following results:
* Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
* Close and on-going support to the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNIFEM's corporate priorities into local interventions. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
* Presentation of the project to PAC, finalization of contribution agreement; determination and oversight of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review.
* Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
* Supervise the preparation of or prepare aggregate delivery reports for the Section.
* Support the RPDs and Programme Staff in the sub-regional offices in their work, by monitoring project/programme execution, providing technical, financial and administrative support to their activities, assistance in reporting, source of information, references, linking with other Sections at HQ
* Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team focusing on achievement of the following results:
* Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
* Analysis and Identification of interagency and intergovernmental processes relevant to the Section's programme for visibility and advocacy purposes.
* Participate and/or represent the Africa Section in internal and external Committees, inter agency Task Forces, and other functions .
* Liaise with UNDP, UNFPA, other UN and Intergovernmental organizations, as well as Government and NGO partners and the media in support of programme, projects and various events and activities.
* Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
* Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt .
* Organization of capacity development activities for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
* Contribute to the realization of the resource mobilization target.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

* Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards
* Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNIFEM
* Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
* Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

* Knowledge Management and Learning
* Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
* In-depth knowledge of development issues
* Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
* Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
* Development and Operational Effectiveness
* Ability in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
* Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
* Strong IT skills
* Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

* Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
* Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
* Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
* Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
* Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
* Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience
Education

* Master's Degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Political Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field.

Experience:

* Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
* Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

* Fluency in English and French as all sub regions in Africa require the use of two languages.