Programme Technical Coherence Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of the UN Spotlight regional programme for Central Asia and Afghanistan. Funded by the European Union and managed from Kazakhstan in cooperation with all participating countries, the Spotlight Initiative (SI) regional programme harnesses the collective expertise, experiences challenges and energy of gender equality advocates from the five Central Asian countries as well as Afghanistan. This is done with the purpose of advancing legislative reform, policy dialogue and advocacy, strengthening institutional capacities and gender-sensitive data to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), promoting technical assistance in adaptation of most effective measures to address SGBV and social norm changes necessary to prevent and respond to SGBV and harmful practices such as bride kidnapping, child and forced marriage and early other unions. Mobilizing the Recipient UN Organizations (UN Women, UNFPA, and UNDP) in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as in partnership with Afghanistan, the SI seeks to strengthen existing efforts in the region. Namely, the absence of any institutional forum for such consensus to be generated. Reporting to UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan and UN Women Country Representative, the Programme Technical Coherence Specialist exercises overall responsibility for applying and implementing a coherent approach in planning, implementing, coordinating and reporting on the entire Spotlight regional programme in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The Programme Technical Coherence Specialist works closely with the Programme Coordinator, Regional Steering Committee, Civil Society Regional Reference Group, the Resident Coordinator Office, Recipient UN Organizations, implementing agencies as well as other stakeholders. The Programme Technical Coherence Specialist provides technical guidance and oversight, ensures coordination and coherence across all programmatic pillars, using participatory and inclusive approach, provides actual inputs to reports, concept notes, knowledge products, coordinates peers reviews, oversees reporting and monitoring, supervises the Programme Technical Unit, liaise with partners where appropriate, and ensures overall coherence in the implementation of the programme.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan and UN Women Country Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer in the capacity of Programme Technical Coherence Specialist will:

Guide the implementation and management of the Spotlight regional programme in Central Asia and Afghanistan • Report to the UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan and UN Women Country Representative on programme performance and results; • Ensure the timely coordination and management of the Spotlight Programme; • Facilitate consolidation of joint annual work plans and budgets with the support of the coordination officer; • Provide programme guidance, updates and information to the Regional Steering Committee, implementing partners and other stakeholders; • Regularly communicate with the Spotlight Initiative Secretariat Technical Unit in New York; •Generate lessons learned, share best practices and ensure risks mitigation.

Coordinate technical assistance and capacity development to the Spotlight initiative in Central Asia and Afghanistan: • Provide guidance in the overall coherence of the programme across pillars, in line with Regional Programme document; Ensure coherent approach in implementation, monitoring, reporting and delivering on programmatic commitments and results, using participatory and inclusive practices; • Guide the process of delivery of technical assistance and engagement with partners, as per the planned activities within the Regional Programme; Support coordination within the UN system and stakeholders on the regional level; • Build, manage, and expand relationships with national and international partners to support implementation of the Spotlight regional programme; respond to any potential problems; • Provide technical assistance to local partners supporting programme implementation; • Analyze emerging needs and recommend solutions;

Provide programme development guidance: • Coordinate the design of programme proposals; • Support and ensure timely and quality interventions within Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-based violence thematic/sectorial areas; • Collect inputs and draft programme/ project reports, briefs, policy dialogue, talking points, presentations and other documents related to the Spotlight regional programme; • Organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders, women leaders, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs for relevant documents, as necessary.

Support the monitoring and reporting of the programme: • Prepare analytical reviews and systematically capture lessons learnt from the programme implementation; • Support the process of monitoring the programme implementation of activities and finances using results-based management tools; • Identify and monitor programme risks and provide support to mitigate and address them in a timely manner; • Provide inputs to narrative / annual and final reports for clearance by the UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan; =Provide relevant support to the final evaluation of the programme. Provide timely and quality support for programmatic and operational closure of the Programme.

Support the UN Women with overseeing its team and financial resources: • Oversee the programme budget and finalize UN Women financial reports; • Provide inputs to all other relevant financial reports; • Participate in the recruitment processes and procurements, as necessary.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization and sustainability of the programme results strategies: • Provide technical and coordination support to all agencies and the UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan in the development sustainability strategy for the programme; - Support the establishment of the Alliance for Central Asia in the area of SGBV; - Conceptualize the joint work of UN partners and incorporates it into the Alliance for Central Asia in the area of SGBV in coordination with the Programme Coordinator and the UN entities concerned; -Contribute to the development of resource mobilizations strategies aimed at programme sustainability after the end of this project, namely sustainability of the Alliance of the .

Coordinate between the different UN agencies to achieve a coherent and aligned presence of the Spotlight regional initiative Central Asia and Afghanistan: • Provide technical support to the UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan and the UN Women Country Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, providing timely follow up recommendations on the way forward; • Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other regional efforts.

Contribute to the advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts: • Represent the Spotlight Programme in meetings and policy dialogues as necessary; - Draft web stories and posts for social media to promote results of Spotlight, in close coordination with the relevant UN partners and RCO Kazakhstan; • Oversee the development of knowledge management products on the Spotlight programme ensuring adherence to the Spotlight Initiative’s Knowledge Management rules and regulations.

Results/expected outputs • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Core Values: • Respect for Diversity; • Integrity; • Professionalism; • Demonstrating commitment to the UN System.

Core Competencies: • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Equality Issues and /or SGBV issues; • Accountability; • Creative Problem Solving; • Communicating for Impact; • Inclusive Collaboration; • Stakeholder Engagement; • Leading by Example; • Working in Teams; • Thinking Analytically and strategically.

Functional Competencies • Strong knowledge in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-based violence thematic areas • Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills • Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them • Strong knowledge of Results Based Management • Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making • Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation • Strong networking skills • Ability to negotiate and interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising • Good knowledge of UN programme management systems.

managing complex and multi-component programmes with national partners, preferably related to thematic area; • Technical and thematic experience in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-based violence thematic areas; • Proven track record of substantive reporting; Excellent writing skills; • Experience in managing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects; • Previous experience working in the UN, EU systems or in international organization is an asset.

Fluency in English and Russian is required; Knowledge of languages of Central Asian countries is an asset.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Astana, Kazakhstan. Astana is the capital city of Kazakhstan. The city lies on the banks of the Ishim River in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, within the Akmola Region, though administered as a city with special status separately from the rest of the region. A 2020 official estimate reported a population of 1,136,008 within the city limits, making it the second-largest city in the country, after Almaty. The city became the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997; since then it has grown and developed economically into one of the most modern cities in Central Asia.

Astana is a safe town, but the usual precautions should still exercise.

Medical services: No special vaccination is required to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan. Medical services (including dental care) are provided at European standards. Clinics working 24 hours are available in the city. There are both private and state clinics and hospitals. Pharmacies (Kazakh: darikhana, Russian: apteka) all over Astana sell many Western medicines. Emergency numbers: In case of emergency, please call "101" (Fire services), "102" (Police), "103" (Ambulance), "104" (Gas Service), "112" (Rescue service in emergency situations).