Project Officer

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with presence in over 170 countries. Globally the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion annually. The UNDP office in Baku employs a team of 55 professionals and currently manages a portfolio of projects in areas of inclusive growth, environmental protection and good governance.

In 2015 UNDP launched the “Economic Empowerment for Entrepreneurship and Employment” (E4) Activity with the financial support from USAID. The overall goal of the E4 Activity is to support economic empowerment for entrepreneurship and employment among rural women and youth, as well as to support and strengthen the community-based mechanisms to address gender-based and domestic violence (GBV/DV). The goal of the GBV Component of the E4 Activity is to support and strengthen community-based mechanisms to address gender-based/domestic violence and build community resilience through women’s economic empowerment and broad attitudinal change. The project works in partnership with the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs and local executive authorities in these regions. The project will build on UNDP experiences and results accumulated in the course of implementing similar projects and will use the already tested approaches and models, such as Women Resource Centre (WRC) platform. The key results will include: establishment of a new WRC in Sumgait; capacity building of WRCs in 10 regions for improved GBV services and “small data” management; increased number of women-led businesses; greater awareness on GBV issues, changed gender norms and decreased GBV incidences among target communities; sensitivity to GBV issues among public officials at the local level.

The project strategy envisions the accomplishment of and synergy among three outcomes:

Outcome 1. Local and national stakeholders coordinate efforts to build the capacity of community-based mechanisms (specifically Women Resource Centers and DV response task forces at the Regional Executive Authorities) to provide essential services to GBV/DV survivors. Outputs and activities under the Outcome 1 strengthen local capacity to provide services to GBV survivors (e.g. psychosocial support, mobile integrated clinics, survivor referrals, community integration programs and family counselling) and ensures coordination between key stakeholders. The Outcome builds the capacity of community mechanisms to understand key local vulnerabilities and design gender-responsive solutions.

Outcome 2. Community-based structures are supported in expanding efforts to increase economic opportunities to women from vulnerable community groups, including GBV survivors. The Outcome components strengthen vulnerable women’s resilience to economic shocks and empower women to make their own choices. Women’s economic empowerment strengthens communities against the impact of economic factors that affect families and individuals, while allowing women to play a stronger role in supporting community resilience.

Outcome 3. Local stakeholders use community-based resources and mechanisms to combat GBV through attitudinal change (including targeted work with first-line responders/service providers in rural and remote areas), eliminate gender stereotypes, and supporting men and boys in exploring non-violent masculinity and gender equality. The Outcome delivers an impetus to broad attitudinal change by presenting positive alternative to rigid gender stereotyping, patriarchal values, and toxic masculinity models. As a result, GBV survivors enter more welcoming environment, norms perpetrating gender inequality are challenged, and public perceptions are more open to associating masculinity with positive non-violent behavioral patterns. Communication strategy, used throughout all activities, links gender equality, rejection of violence and promotion of positive masculinity.  In addition, the WRCs will engage local talent to develop innovative digital, audio and video resources and engage relevant gamification elements to be used in GBV and VE prevention: raising awareness, exposing the damage inflicted by GBV and VE, promoting gender equality, and presenting models of positive masculinity

The Project Officer (PO GBV) will assist the Project Manager in ensuring the E4 Project’s proper performance under GBV Component. PO GBV will be particularly responsible for the timely, effective and efficient mobilization of all inputs, local teams and short-term consultants. PO GBV’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the expected outputs and reaches the planned targets by undertaking necessary activities to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The Project Officer will also coordinate with UNDP Azerbaijan on all relevant substantive and administrative aspects under the project. The Project Officer will ensure appropriate stakeholder engagement and liaise with UNDP, USAID, SCFWCA, local authorities and other relevant government and non-government actors, for effective coordination of project activities.

The PO is responsible for spearheading all administrative (contractual, organizational, logistical) and all accounting (disbursements, record-keeping, cash management) matters under the project. PO will develop Interim and Final Project Progress Report and Project Financial Reports, as per the agreed schedule. PO will support the Project Manager in timely submission of the narrative and financial reports to UNDP, USAID, SCFWCA and other stakeholders of the project as necessary. PO will be responsible for arrangement of all project related events (workshops in the regions, working group meetings, stakeholder consultations, etc.).

The PO will also work in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other units in UNDP Country Office for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UN programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Specific duties and responsibilities of the Project Officer for E4 Project’s GBV Component:

• Ensure effective and results-based management of GBV component’s activities;
• Supervise and coordinate the delivery of project outputs, as per the project document;
• Mobilize all project inputs in accordance with procedures for nationally implemented projects;
• Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, consultants and sub-contractors;
• Ensure proper outreach to GBV survivors, effectiveness of trainings and services; and active participation and engagement at the community level;
• Facilitate the knowledge building and guidance among project stakeholders on GBV/DV/PVE issues in target areas;
• Contribute substantial inputs to ensure impactful trainings, services, materials and outreach on GBV/DV/PVE issues;
• Disseminate project reports and respond to queries from concerned stakeholders;
• Formulate the E4 project’s best practices, lessons learned and success stories under GBV component;
• Ensure proper communications regarding events, success stories, project outreach, and overall scope and methodology (e.g. social media presence, project info on website, drafting press releases, etc.);
• Coordinate and assisting the SCFWCA and REAs with initiation and implementation of GBV component activities;
• Carry out regular, announced and unannounced inspections of all sites and project-funded activities to monitor and facilitate the GBV component activities;
• Ensure full compliance of project activities, financial recording/reporting system with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
• In consultation with the E4 Project team, contribute to setting the realistic delivery targets and monitoring of project expenditures;
• Oversee the preparation and signature of the minutes of Project Board and other project related meetings;
• Prepare all required reports and project factsheets, including Quarterly/Annual Progress Reports for USAID, Project Progress Reports for UNDP, Financial Reports (Accruals and FFR425 for USAID, and Delivery Plans and signed CDRs for UNDP), and other reports as may be required by UNDP, donor and government oversight agencies.
• Support the preparations of project work-plans and operational and financial planning processes;
• Prepare proposals for budget revisions;
• Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparations and audit;
• Assist in procurement and recruitment processes;
• In accordance with the Work Plan arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services;
• Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UN procedures.

Core Competencies:

Functional Competencies:

Project Management

• Knowledge of project and programme development work and the ability to apply in strategic and/or practical situations

Partnerships

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

Working in team

• Ability to work in teams and across units effectively and shows conflict resolution skills

Self-management/Emotional Intelligence

• Stays calm and maintains composure under stress or during a crisis, keeping disruptive emotions under control
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively
• Is realistic about own limits using support mechanisms as needed and maintaining an appropriate work-life balance
• Senses the emotions of others, understanding their perspective, taking an active interest in their concerns
• Fosters a positive outlook and maintains focus during period of stress and heavy work load, inspiring and guiding others towards goal achievement
• Creates a climate of enthusiasm and flexibility, where people feel encouraged to give their best
• Stands up to group pressure, not giving in out of a desire to please or to avoid confrontation and conflict

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Developing tools and mechanisms

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
• Have effective interpersonal and negotiations skills and ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder projects and be able to think in a strategic manner on complex and difficult projects. 
• Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Excellent written communication skills.

Client Orientation - Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in management, development, social studies, gender studies and/or another field relevant to GBV/DV/PVE; Master’s degree in relevant field will be an asset;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of thematic experience in gender-based/domestic violence, using socio-economic interventions for women’s empowerment, and in other gender equality related areas;
• At least 3 years of project/programme management experience (proven management expertise – must be able to smoothly handle the political, technical, and people management challenges that will face the Project Officer on a daily basis
• Experience in administering budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project
• At least 2 years of experience in administrative positions, preferably with international organizations will be an asset
• Experience in effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project will be an asset

Language requirements:

• Fluency in both oral and written English and Azerbaijani is required. Knowledge of other official language of the UN will be desirable.

Others: 

• Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;