Programme Coordinator, Spotlight Initiative

The European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year programme aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices.It will follow a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as ending impunity for VAWG.In line with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Initiative will follow a human rights-based approach and take into consideration the specific needs of women and girls who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

The Spotlight Initiative aims to support transformative change on the ground to end violence against women and girls, in numerous countries globally, including Jamaica. The initiative comes with the highest level of commitment globally and will be governed by the UN Deputy Secretary General and the Vice President of the EU Commission.

This position is in line with the spirit of the new generation of Resident Coordinator offices, with the new skillset and competencies required to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, as well as the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative. A Spotlight Coordination Team (SCT) will be created to support programmatic and technical coordination and coherence, and quality assurance of the Country Programme.

Reporting to the Strategic Planner/Team Leader of the Resident Coordinator’s office, the Programme Coordinator will exercise overall responsibility for planning, implementing, coordinating and reporting on the Spotlight programme in Jamaica.The Programme Coordinator will work closely with the National Steering Committee, the Theme Group on Human Rights and Gender, the UN Communication Group, implementing agencies, as well as other stakeholders. The Programme Coordinator will provide overall programme management support, technical guidance and oversight, support the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in reporting and monitoring, and ensure overall coherence in the implementation of the programme.

The Programme Coordinator will be under the technical guidance of UN Women, as the technical coherence lead for the Spotlight initiative in Jamaica.

Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Programme Coordinator, Spotlight initiative will be responsible for the following duties.

Summary of functions:

1.     Guides the implementation and management of the Spotlight programme in Jamaica

2.     Coordinates technical assistance and capacity development to the Spotlight Initiative in Jamaica

3.     Ensures effective programme development and/or revision guidance

4.     Ensures effective monitoring and oversight of programme reporting

5.     Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and ensures development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies

6.     Coordinates between the different UN agencies to achieve a coherent and aligned presence of the Spotlight Initiative

7.     Provides oversight on administrative and logistical support as necessary.

1.     Guides the implementation and management of the Spotlight programme in Jamaica

• Provide regular reports to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) on programme performance and results;
• Coordinate the convening of relevant committees, including the National Steering Committee, the Theme Group on Human Rights and Gender, Un Communication Group and Civil Society Reference Group;
• Liaise regularly with UN Women on technical coherence and substantive issues;
• Facilitate and contribute to the production of consolidated annual work plans, budgets, and annual reports;
• Oversee implementation, schedules, deliverables, and budgets as articulated in the country programme document;
• Provide programme guidance, regular updates, and information to the Spotlight Steering Committee, implementing partners, and other stakeholders; and
• Liaise with the Spotlight Secretariat as necessary on technical issues related to Spotlight programme implementation.

2. Coordinates technical assistance and capacity development to the Spotlight Initiative in Jamaica

·       Provide technical inputs in the overall technical coherence of the Programme across pillars,

·       Provide technical advice and innovative approaches to facilitating programme interventions and achievement of programme deliverables;

·       Guide the process of delivery of technical assistance and engagement with partners; and

3.     Ensures effective programme development and/or revision guidance

• Coordinate the design and formulation of any related programme proposal and initiatives or revisions to approved Spotlight Country Programme Document; and
• Organize any needed technical consultations with key stakeholders, experts, or UN agencies.

4.     Ensures effective monitoring and oversight of programme reporting

·       Prepare analytical reviews and systematically capture lessons learnt from implementation;

·       Support the monitoring and evaluation team to monitor the programme implementation of activities and outcomes;

·       Support the finance team to monitor programme budgets and finalize financial reports;

·       Provide inputs and drafting support to narrative and annual reports; and

·       Identify/monitor risks that could interfere with programme delivery; design mitigation measures.

5.     Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and ensures development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies

·       Provide technical and coordination support to the implementing agencies to develop joint resource mobilization and sustainability strategies.

·       Build, manage, and expand relationships with partners to support implementation of SI Jamaica including other engagement and resource mobilization opportunities.

·       Develop relevant documentation of potential opportunities for resource mobilization.

6.     Coordinates between the different UN agencies to achieve a coherent and aligned presence of the Spotlight Initiative

• Provide support to inter-agency coordination-related activities, including by attending or participating in meetings, events, committees or groups;
• Support UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure Spotlight programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.  

7.Provides oversight on administrative and logistical support as necessary.

• Preparation and organization of meetings and workshops;
• Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to Spotlight Secretariat;
• Engage directly and pro-actively with operational counterparts in other UN agencies

Education:

• ·Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, environmental sciences, sustainable development studies, gender/women’s studies, international relations or related field; or a relevant bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with two additional years of qualifying experience.
• ·Project management degree or certification (e.g., PMP) is an asset.

Experience:

• ·At least 5years of progressively responsible professional experience in design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of complex development projects;
• ·Minimum 5 years technical experience in EVAWG or GBV.
• ·Experience in managing project budgets, including leading/managing a team.
• ·Experience coordinating and liaising with a diversity of stakeholders including government agencies, donors, private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations is an asset;
• ·Experience working in the field of knowledge management is an asset;
• ·Strong understanding of results-based monitoring is an asset;
• ·Experience working in the UN System is an asset;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.