Programme Officer, Gender, Economic Development and Social Protection

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 is recognized in the country as an expert in advancing the implementation of gender related global norms and standards through strengthening the national gender machineries (working with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs), the parliament, the justice mechanisms (the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice); the police, the military as well as with traditional leadership institutions.

Partnership with traditional leadership mechanisms particularly with all categories of the institution of chiefs and religious leaders has brought into focus the critical role in play in addressing harmful traditional practices to supporting the protection of the rights of women in a transformative gender perspective. UN Women’s portfolio in Sierra Leone is inclusive of the following flagship programmes:

• Women’s Leadership in governance and political participation.
• Ending Violence Against Women.
• Women in Peace, Security & Humanitarian Action.
• Women’s Economic empowerment.

Reporting to the Head of Office, the Programme Officer exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under their portfolio, especially women’s economic empowerment and social protection against SGBV and epidemics, supporting all other work when and as needed. The Programme Officer works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women WCAR and HQ staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation under portfolio and as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Design and develop programme strategies in the area of women’s economic development and social protection against SGBV and epidemics

• Design and formulate programmes/ project proposals and initiatives;
• Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to women’s economic development and social protection (ending violence against women, responding to epidemics).

2. Lead the implementation, management and communication of the women’s economic development social protection against SGBV and epidemics programmes/projects

• Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
• Manage the technical implementation of the programmes/projects; ensure synergies with other teams;
• Manage the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;
• Organize Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed;
• Organize and ensure a vital, thoughtful, and successful communication in the areas.

3. Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance. Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives
• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of women’s economic development and social protection programmes;
• Respond to any potential problems;
• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners.

4. Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programmes/ projects

• Manage the monitoring of programme/ project implementation and finances using results based management tools;
• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions;
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
• Contribute to office donor and UN Women reports.
• Contribute to the office’s operational communication.

5. Manage the people and financial resources of the women’s economic development and social protection against SGBV and epidemics

• Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
• Supervise Programme Analysts and Technical Specialists;
• Mentor and coach staff and conduct performance assessments;
• Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary.

6. Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization;
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

7. Contribute to inter-agency coordination on women’s economic development and social protection against SGBV and epidemics to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in Sierra Leone

• Provide technical support to the Head of Office and to the Program Coordinator on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees as needed;
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors, and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.
• Initiate, take the lead and participate in joint initiatives to mobilize resources, build knowledge and partnership meaningful to the country portfolio in general, and particular for women’s economic development and ending violence against women.

8. Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the women’s economic development and social protection against SGBV and epidemics;
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to women’s economic development and social protection against SGBV and epidemics as necessary;
• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products, and methodologies on women’s economic development and social protection against SGBV and epidemics.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality programme design and inputs to Strategic Note
• Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget and workplans, and in line with all UN Women operational rules and regulations, including security
• Timely and quality monitoring and evaluation of programmes
• Relations with partners and stakeholders
• Quality donor relations cultivation
• Quality reports and timely submission
• Sustainable resource mobilization
• Regular communication with other agencies and partners
• Quality of advocacy and communication initiatives
• Quality joint partnership

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

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong knowledge of women’s economic development and ending violence against women
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field 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 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Technical experience in women’s economic development and social protection (ending violence against women, fighting epidemics, etc.);
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
• Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Krio is required;
• Knowledge of other Sierra Leonean languages is an asset;
• Working knowledge of French is an asset.