Spotlight Programme Coordinator

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 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 will be done with the purpose of advancing legislative reform, policy dialogue and advocacy, technical assistance in adaptation of most effective measures to address sexual and gender-based violence (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 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 fill a vital vacuum in the region with the aim to eliminate SGBV.

Under the supervision and guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan, the Programme Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and supporting the timely and quality implementation as well as reporting of the Spotlight regional programme for Central Asia which includes coordinating relationships with regional partners and stakeholders, and monitoring and reporting functions, and advising the RC on all operational, financial and human resources matters.

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

Manage the Spotlight Initiative Programme • Support the overall Spotlight Initiative work plan implementation according to the regional programme document;
• Lead the implementation of a results-based management and accountability approach to programme management; • Lead the development of annual programme delivery targets; • Liaise with participating UN agencies (RUNOs – Recipient UN Organizations), EU Delegation, CSOs and other partners to support that the Programme results are achieved and resources are managed;
• Organize and prepare Steering Committee meetings; • Compile, prepare and present work-plans, periodic consolidated narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports;
• Establish systems for project planning, implementation, and monitoring, in collaboration with partners; • Record and maintain documents on relevant Programme activities, issues, and risks.

Coordinate the monitoring and reporting on the Spotlight Initiative
• Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on programmes and projects from the planning to the evaluation stages; • Consolidate and write annual and quarterly reports; review and coordinate the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports; • Support the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds by partners;

Guide coordination with partners in Central Asia and other stakeholders
• Support the coordination of relationships with regional partners – in particular the members of CSO Regional Reference Group – to support implementation and expansion of the Spotlight Initiative, raise potential problems and provide solutions; • Provide guidance to partners on establishment of performance indicators, and monitoring achievement of results;

Manage financial resources and supervise personnel
• Supervise and manage professional and administrative RCO personnel, review performance and mentor/ coach personnel; • Prepare budget revisions, and expenditure tracking and reporting; • Oversee and monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to participating partners.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies • Provide technical support to the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies; • Identify potential programmatic areas of cooperation, country needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships; • Maintain excellent relations with donors and coordinate joint meetings with the agencies as required.

Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management and communication • Ensure documentation of the programme implementation process and products produced are in accordance with standards established for the Spotlight Initiative; • Represent the UN in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Spotlight Initiative as necessary; • Oversee the development of advocacy and communication strategies and lead their implementation, with the support of the Spotlight Communications & Monitoring Officer; • Oversee the implementation of the Visibility Plan, with the support of the Spotlight Communications & Monitoring Officer; • Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning; • Contribute to the exchange of information and knowledge products internally and externally of the programme; • Organize major events, trainings, workshops, and knowledge products.

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 report writing skills; • Strong budget and finance skills; • Strong knowledge of Results Based Management; • Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports in order to inform management and strategic decision-making; • Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders; • Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance. • Strong analytical skills. • Good knowledge of UN programme management systems.

managing complex and multi-component programme interventions with national partners, preferably related to thematic area; Proven track record of substantive reporting;
Experience in managing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects;
Previous experience working in the UN system and/or in International Organizations 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 Almaty, Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of 1,797,431 people, about 8% of the country's total population. Almaty is the major commercial and cultural center of Kazakhstan, as well as its biggest population center. The city is located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau at an elevation of 700–900 m (2,300–3,000 feet), where the Large and Small Almatinka rivers run into the plain.

Security: UN Security level: Minimal-1.

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

Medical services: No special vaccination is required to travel to Almaty, 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 Almaty 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).