Markets for Change Project Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office is based in Suva, Fiji and works alongside over 20 other UN agencies in the region and in 14 countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Under its Strategic Note 2018-2022, UN Women Fiji MCO focuses on delivering on four interlinked programme areas underpinned by support for intergovernmental and normative processes: • Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership • Women’s Economic Empowerment • Ending Violence against Women • Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction

The Markets for Change (M4C) project brings together governments, market vendors and market vendor associations, civil society organisations and UN agencies to promote gender equality through economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. M4C is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and the Governments of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The role of the M4C Project Officer is to support the Project Coordinator in the implementation of activities and monitoring of project information. This includes supporting actions in the field, including support to training, monitoring, data collection, undertaking research and reporting.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the M4C National Project Coordinator Country Lead (Samoa) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV M4C Project Officer will support: • Implementation o support the development of activities to support the objectives of the M4C project and in line with its design, including identification of options for delivering activities and possible partners. o support the logistical arrangements for activities, including in relation to procurement, event management and partnerships o attend activities and events as required, to support with their delivery o provide secretariat support to Project Working Committee and Project Management Committee meetings in Samoa as and when needed o undertake administrative and financial tasks to facilitate timely delivery and implementation of program areas, including onboarding of selected consultants

• Monitoring o support monitoring of activities against the Annual Work Plan, to ensure the timely delivery of project activities o support the monitoring of partner agreements, including financial and narrative reporting o monitor the workflows and progress of consultants against agreed work plans o assist with project monitoring as input to internal reporting (RMS) and reporting to donors o support surveying of beneficiaries, including through face-to-face interviews as part of project monitoring o contribute to data collection in line with the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework

• Communications o Assist where practicable, with the development of publications, merchandise, advocacy materials and media outreach

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Professionalism: Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

programme implementation is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills in English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent oral and written skills in English are required, with excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills is well regarded. • Understanding of issues relating to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including market vendors, market management and government agencies; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System • Master’s degree is desirable and would be an asset.

The position will be based in the city of Apia, capital of Samoa, where basic living needs, including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities and telecommunications/internet services are readily available.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.