National Programme Officer - Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Spotlight Initiative - For Afghan national only

Contract

This is a SB-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SB-4 contracts.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women in Afghanistan is currently focusing on four Programme areas including: Women Peace and Security, Women Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW), and Governance and Women Participation.

1. About the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)

Composed of representatives from donors, United Nations entities, and civil society organizations, the WPHF is a global pooled funding mechanism which aims to re-energize action and stimulate a significant increase in financing for women’s participation, leadership, and empowerment in peace and security processes and humanitarian response. The WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism. It supports quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of local women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities. The overall goal of the WPHF’s theory of change is to achieve peaceful and gender equal societies. Achievement of this goal will require that women are empowered to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from conflict prevention, crisis response, peacebuilding, and recovery. Since its launch in 2016, WPHF has been supporting over 140 civil society organizations and is present in 12 countries or group of countries.

In Afghanistan, two Civil Society Organizations have been selected as Implementing Partners for the WPHF COVID-19, for about USD 300,000. UN Women serves as the Management Entity for WPHF selected CSOs in Afghanistan, including contracting and monitoring and evaluation.

2. About the Spotlight Initiative

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the EU and the United Nations which deploys targeted, large-scale investments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean, aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls, which is seen as a major obstacle to the fulfilment of women’s and girls’ human rights and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Spotlight Initiative intends to bring the issue of ending violence against women and girls at the front and centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. WPHF and Spotlight Initiative Partnership

The partnership between the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and the Spotlight Initiative aims to channel funding to civil society organizations working on eliminating violence against women and girls (EVAWG) in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings. The partnership focuses on Outcome 6 of Spotlight Initiative’s Regional Result Framework (strengthening CSOs and building women’s movements) and on WPHF’s Outcome 5 (Protection of women’s safety and rights), with a total budget of USD 2 million over two years.

WPHF and Spotlight seek to fund qualifying civil-society projects in Afghanistan that are high impact, innovative, and contribute directly to the following objectives:

1. Influence and advance progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) and on ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG), including sexual and gender-based violence / harmful practices (SGBV/HP) and domestic violence
2. Protect women and girls’ safety, security and human rights

This call for proposals makes available financing for local civil society organizations in Afghanistan through two primary funding streams:

• Funding stream 1: Institutional funding: from 2,500 USD to 30,000 USD

To provide institutional funding to local civil society organizations working on gender-specific protection issues in peace and security and humanitarian contexts, to ensure they are able to sustain themselves through the COVID-19 crisis

• Funding stream 2: Programmatic funding: from 30,000 USD to 200,000 USD

To finance projects that aim specifically to fund programmatic activities aligned with the Spotlight Initiative’s Outcome 6 and WPHF’s Outcome 5 (listed above). Projects can be designed to directly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as long as they are aligned with the above two Outcomes.

More information: https://wphfund.org/call-for-proposals-in-afghanistan/

Duties and Responsibilities

Working closely with the EVAW team and the Gender in Humanitarian team, under the supervision of the EVAW Programme Manager, and with the guidance of the Gender in Humanitarian Action Programme Specialist, the National Programme Officer - Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Spotlight Initiative will act as main focal point for the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund COVID-19 Programme and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Spotlight Initiative Partnership in Afghanistan. The person will be responsible for supporting implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and knowledge management of the grants.

The National Programme Officer will perform the following duties:

• Act as main focal point and liaise with WPHF and Spotlight Secretariat, selected civil society organisations, resident coordinator office
• Coordinate, facilitate and ensure the timely and quality implementation of grants under the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund COVID-19 window and Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Spotlight Initiative Partnership programmes
• Ensure quality implementation of the projects through regular calls and support to selected civil society organisations (CSOs), provision of technical support and monitoring and evaluation support to selected CSOs, and through liaising with the WPHF Secretariat for trainings
• Ensure quality monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the project through collection, drafting and consolidation of informal updates, annual and quarterly plans, progress reports including project reviews, and project updates to UN Women, WPHF and Spotlight Secretariats.
• Be responsible for coordination among stakeholders, partners and support the day to day management and implementation of the WPHF & Spotlight grants.
• Support knowledge management amongst selected CSOs, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support communications and visibility of the programmes
• Ensure linkages and complementarity to the Spotlight programme, coordinating with Spotlight team and Spotlight partners, as well as other EVAW programmes

Specific responsibilities

Programme Management and Implementation

• Ensure effective and quality implementation and regular monitoring of the programme.
• Provide technical and administrative advisory services to selected CSOs on violence against women and girls.
• Coordinate and maintain a constructive dialogue among relevant line ministries, UN Agencies and implementing partners ensuring regular updates on projects.
• Prepare, review and analyze Annual Work Plans (AWPs), quarterly work plans, Procurement Plans and M&E Plans for the WPHF and WPHF/Spotlight Programmes, in line with UN Women processes and rules.
• Periodically consult with and report to the EVAW Programme Manager on progress in implementation, bottlenecks and challenges.
• Ensure regular update meetings are held with partners and decisions are followed up.
• Prepare, review, and analyze reports of Implementing Partners for submission to donors and UN Women quarterly reports.
• Provide knowledge sharing support and document and share experiences and lessons learned on the program and prepare reports, including among selected CSOs.
• Support the selection of projects for the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Spotlight Initiative Partnership, based on WPHF and Spotlight Secretariat criteria, in coordination with resident coordinator office, national steering committee, UN partners, and other key stakeholders
• Support the revision and finalisation of the selected project documents (proposal, result framework and budget)
• Support the setup of the projects in Atlas, DAMS, RMS and UN Women annual work plan, liaising with operations team
• Support the contracting of selected civil society organisations, in line with UN Women processes and rules
• Perform other duties as may be required by the EVAW Programme Manager

Knowledge-Management & Partnership

• Systematically document and disseminate with project stakeholders, UN Women, donors and wider community the knowledge generated through the project implementation process, in particular the experience and good practices vis-à-vis enhancement of the safety, security and human rights of women and girls.
• Maintain close working relationship with Government of Afghanistan, United Nations and implementing partners and provide them with strategic advice on a regular basis;
• Dedicate time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the job training
• Organize, compile, and process documentation and information from donors, and programme team as inputs to various databases and documents.
• Support with knowledge and communications products, including press release, regular social media, stories, talking points and other materials

• Any other related duties as may be required.

• Effective management of programme activities over the period stated;

• Effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme with the submission of regular quarterly reports and more substantive annual reports done in the formats required;
• Substantive support to programme coordination meetings and participation in organizational exercises.
• Provide quarterly and final reports on programme implementation based on impact and results;
• Promotion of Knowledge management products and learning environment based on the programme, the partners and results achieved and updated database with information collected from partners.

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

• Knowledge of women’s organizations and governmental agencies working on women’s empowerment and gender equality;
• Familiarity with UN Women procedures, particularly regarding project management and more specifically in relation to the development of work plans, budgets, monitoring and reporting plans, purchasing plans and the identification of indicators is an advantage.
• Ability to effectively represent the organization in inter-agency programming initiatives related to ending violence against women;
• Ability to build strong relationships with, and focuses on results for clients and partners, responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Ability to work in a global multi-cultural setting respecting gender equality and an ability to contribute to teamwork and provide conceptual leadership.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to use critical thinking, conceptualize ideas, and articulate relevant subject matter concisely.
• Experience in programme management.
• Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats.
• Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow;
• Good financial and budgeting skills;

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certificate:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Development Studies, Gender/Women’s Studies or any other relevant field, with 2 years of experience in EVAW /GBV programming.

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Development Studies, Gender/Women’s Studies or any other relevant field, with 4 years of experience in EVAW/GBV programing may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experiance:

• At least 2 year of progressively responsible experience in implementation of EVAW/GBV programming.
• Experience and knowledge in programming on violence against women is required.
• Experience in supervising and coordinating the implementation of multiple projects of NGOs/CBOs
• Experience coordinating with grantees and/or civil society organisations is an asset.
• Desired : Experience working in the UN System and familiarity with UN rules and procedures is an asset, especially if related to social impact/gender equality projects.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Dari is required

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from the Application and recruitment process | About us: Careers at UN Women | UN Women – Headquarters Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality, and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Inclusion Statement:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits employ, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)