Strategic Partnership & Coordination Officer (For Sri Lankan National Only)

Contract

This is a SC-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SC-8 contracts.

Background

Re-Advertised: Those who previously applied do not need to re-apply.

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.

Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for 2023-2027 is the UN’s strategic programme framework in Sri Lanka that defines the UN’s support to national development results. UN Women in Sri Lanka chairs the UN Gender Theme Group (UN GTG), which is the UN Country Team (UNCT) group responsible for the coordination of and policy advice on gender equality issues in the UNSDCF.

In 2020, the United Nations in Sri Lanka conducted a UNCT SWAP Gender Scorecard Exercise that assessed the capacities of the United Nations Country Team to respond to its gender mainstreaming responsibilities and the gender coordination mechanisms. The recommendations from the Scorecard are to be implemented through the resultant UNCT Action Plan of the Gender Scorecard. With the enhanced role of UN Women as the leading agency on coordination and gender mainstreaming, and the ensuing increased role of UN Women to support the UN GTG, a strong, flexible and versatile coordination function within UN Women office is required. This will be an important effort towards strengthened accountability for results for gender equality and women's empowerment, enhanced efficiencies, improved coherence, and joint action through better coordination between UN agencies, the government and development partners.

Reporting to the Head of Office, the Strategic Planning and Coordination Officer will provide support to the UN Women Sri Lanka Office in strategic programme planning, inter-agency coordination, resource mobilization and partnership building.

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.

Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for 2023-2027 is the UN’s strategic programme framework in Sri Lanka that defines the UN’s support to national development results. UN Women in Sri Lanka chairs the UN Gender Theme Group (UN GTG), which is the UN Country Team (UNCT) group responsible for the coordination of and policy advice on gender equality issues in the UNSDCF.

In 2020, the United Nations in Sri Lanka conducted a UNCT SWAP Gender Scorecard Exercise that assessed the capacities of the United Nations Country Team to respond to its gender mainstreaming responsibilities and the gender coordination mechanisms. The recommendations from the Scorecard are to be implemented through the resultant UNCT Action Plan of the Gender Scorecard. With the enhanced role of UN Women as the leading agency on coordination and gender mainstreaming, and the ensuing increased role of UN Women to support the UN GTG, a strong, flexible and versatile coordination function within UN Women office is required. This will be an important effort towards strengthened accountability for results for gender equality and women's empowerment, enhanced efficiencies, improved coherence, and joint action through better coordination between UN agencies, the government and development partners.

Reporting to the Head of Office, the Strategic Planning and Coordination Officer will provide support to the UN Women Sri Lanka Office in strategic programme planning, inter-agency coordination, resource mobilization and partnership building.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Office, UN Women Sri Lanka, the Strategic Planning and Coordination Officer will be responsible for the following:

1. Support to UN Women on its UN coordination mandate on GEWE:

• Work closely with the Head of Office to assist in the strategic coordination of Sri Lanka's priorities and commitments for gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE);
• Provide substantive technical inputs on behalf of the office where UN Women’s feedback is required – particularly inter-agency frameworks and other documents;
• Produce policy notes, briefs and other documents as required to support UN Women’s coordination efforts;
• Undertake gender analysis of joint UN programming;
• Represent UN Women in UNSDCF Outcome Results Groups and ensure gender equality and women’s rights are mainstreamed in processes and documents;
• Document and advocate best practices and lessons learnt for UN System-wide coordination;
• Liaise with UN Women regional and HQ offices on developments related to UN Women's coordination mandate;

• Contribute to joint UN and donor advocacy efforts for GEWE

  2. Support to UN Women on GEWE related inter-governmental processes:

• Liaise and coordinate with relevant government, UN and civil society stakeholders in preparation for GEWE related inter-governmental processes such as CEDAW, CSW, BPFA etc.;

• Provide technical inputs to or draft reports and documents related to inter-governmental processes that require UN Women’s feedback;
• Review, analyse and draft summaries of reports and policy documents, and of intergovernmental outcomes, from a gender equality and women’s empowerment perspective; and draft documents (i.e. concept notes, briefing notes, talking points and presentations);
• Foster knowledge management and information flow on UN Coordination on GEWE and inter-governmental processes within the UN Women office;
• Support government and CSO participation in inter-governmental processes through coordination and logistical support;
• Conduct briefings and training for relevant government and other stakeholders on relevant processes and mechanisms, as well as key messages, lessons learnt and good practice.

3. Provide technical support to the development of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts

• Provide support in managing activities and other promotional events to engage bilateral and multilateral institutions/ donors, private sector and civil society to expand and/or sustain interest and resources for UN Women programmes and joint UN system programmes;
• Prepare background documents and analysis for the Head of Office to forge and implement strategic partnerships to increase outreach on UN Women’s work in country;
• Provide support to development partners and national counterparts on implementation of key UN frameworks and conventions on gender equality;
• Provide network and capacity development to partner Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders, as necessary.

4. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Provide support to the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned; ensure incorporation into programme planning;
• Contribute to capacity building exercises, as necessary.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

• Strengthened coordination and engagement with UN agencies to promote GEWE;
• Improved functioning of the UN GTG -- measurably documented through implementation and monitoring of AWP and other Action Plans.
• Reflection of gender perspectives in UN joint programming and sectoral areas measurably increased;
• Strengthened capacities of relevant government, UN and other stakeholders in relation to gender mainstreaming and/or inter-governmental processes.
• Strengthened capacity of the UN Women office in relation to its normative and coordination mandate.

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

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

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong technical expertise, knowledge and understanding of GEWE in Sri Lanka;
• Competency in promoting gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment in development programmes, including practical experience in the context of coordination, strategic partnership, and capacity building on GEWE
• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills, including good presentation skills;
• Good understanding of UN Women’s coordination mandate in the UN system;
• Good understanding of UN Women’s work in relation to women, peace and security and inter-governmental processes;
• Ability to conceptualize, develop and use knowledge management strategies to promote effective decision-making and intra/inter-organizational collaboration;
• Ability to work within a diverse team as well as carry out tasks independently;
• Strong planning and organizing skills with ability to identify priority activities and assignments and to use time efficiently;
• Strong problem-solving skills;
• Ability to take decisions and manage political/cultural sensitivities;
• Proficient IT skills;
• Effective in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and NGO partners.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree 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 five additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of progressive experience at the national or international level on gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights with a strong background on strategic management and coordinating GEWE within the UN, with government, civil society and other stakeholders.
• Experience in capacity building and training UN, government or stakeholders on gender-mainstreaming.
• Familiarity and experience in the areas of Women, Peace and Security and GEWE related inter-governmental processes.
• Experience in mobilizing resources.
• Experience in providing substantive technical inputs on GEWE.
• Familiarity with UN system and UN Women’s GEWE coordination mandate.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Sinhala/Tamil is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. 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.)

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