Programme Management Specialist (Open to PNG Nationals ONLY)

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.

The structural interlinkages between gender equality and sustainable urban development have been recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which emphasizes the role of efficient urbanization as the right path towards sustainable development. While SDG 11 calls (for making cities and urban settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable) commits to provision of universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, it also makes explicit references to women, and specifically targets eliminating sexual harassment in public spaces including markets. Markets are part of the urban environment and depend on effective transportation, agricultural produce, access to other services, information systems and good market administration to effectively benefit all market users.

UN Women PNG CO Safe and Prosperous Districts Programme is an effort to translate the gains from PNG CO Safe City initiatives in Port Moresby to other towns and districts such as Lae, Buin, and the Sepik region; where there is an increasing demand for gender sensitive urban and district planning and implementation and interest in improving women’s economic empowerment. Development actors who have learnt about the result-oriented partnerships that have bought about transformative change in Port Moresby are demanding for similar support in their communities.  This is in line with the SDGs agenda which requires that no one be left behind. This position will manage UN Women’s effort to promote gender sensitive urban development in the programme locations in both cities and rural districts.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, the Programme Management Specialist will be responsible for managing the implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects for the Papua New Guinea Country Office (PNG CO), including providing technical support to the implementation of designated PNG CO projects, managing the monitoring and reporting of designated projects, overseeing and guiding project personnel and budget management for the programme team, building partnerships and providing support in developing resource mobilization strategies, and managing knowledge building efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage the programmatic development for PNG CO Safe and Prosperous Districts (SPD) Programme, based on the Strategic Note:

• Provide overall programme advisory support to the Country Office for the Safe and Prosperous Districts (SPD) Programme;
• Guide the development of the SPD programme, and provide technical support to the design and formulation of programme/ project initiatives;
• Review and provide feedback to project/ programme strategies and documents, workplans, case studies and related knowledge products and publications, as needed;
• Provide technical advice on the development of systems, processes and mechanisms to support programme planning, implementation, monitoring and progress reporting;
• Review and evaluate proposals and oversee the preparation of donor proposals and reports;
• Draft policy documents, briefs and other strategic papers/ materials for the use in the development and presentation of policy and programmatic positions.

Provide technical support to the implementation of the Safe and Prosperous District (SPD) Programme:

• Articulate and review periodic and annual work plans to assure compliance with UN Women programme goals and results-based indicators;
• Analyze and ensure alignment of project budgets with logical framework, results matrices and work plans;
• Draft reports on activities, outputs and outcomes; and compile information in preparations of country office donor, UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UN Women reports;
• Manage programme quality control and identification of potential challenges;
• Align programme activities with operations team in close liaison with Operations Managers and other team members;
• Build and manage relationships with national partners, as required.

Manage the monitoring and reporting for the SPD Programme:

• Recommend and establish programme monitoring standards, criteria, and other indicators for measuring and assessing progress/results;
• Manage the monitoring of mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators;
• Coordinate the process of gathering information and preparing progress reports on programme implementation; prepare technical reports;
• Prepare programme team for audits and monitor implementation of audit recommendations;
• Provide training on results-based management and any other relevant areas to staff, as necessary.

Oversee and guide people and budget management for the programme team:

• Lead a team, perform staff performance reviews, ensure capacity development of staff members by suggesting development opportunities;
• Monitor and analyze financial situation on the portfolios and programmes to ensure adherence to delivery rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results;
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination across the office, between programmes, projects and operations, within the UN System in PNG and with other UN Women offices and units.

Build partnerships and provide support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for resource mobilization and cost sharing;
• Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UN Women, country needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships.

Manage knowledge building efforts:

Manage the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the programme and contribute to their global dissemination.

Competencies

Key Performance Indicators:

• Programme team workplans and budgets are developed and implemented in line with Strategic Note; PNG CO and SPD work plans;
• Programme team adhere to UN Women’s Rules, Regulations, policies and procedures, using a results-based management approach;
• Programmes are implemented according to workplan and budget;
• Regular monitoring of programmes, issues/deviations are raised in a timely manner;
• Timely and quality reporting and regular dissemination and sharing of information, including best practices/ lessons learned.

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;
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them;
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management;
• Good knowledge of UN programme management systems.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration or Gender 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 experience in programme management, including programme design, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building;
• Experience in working in a gender related area is an asset;
• Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing;
• Experience in leading teams effectively is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required;
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.