Policy Specialist- Women Economic Empowerment

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 scope of work of the Regional Policy Specialist in the UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional Office requires experience and in-depth understanding of women’s rights and economic empowerment (WEE) in the Region, including in the context of Climate Smart Agriculture to translate UN Women's strategic plans into effective programmes and results on the ground. It also requires developing and maintaining strong partnerships, including with relevant Government counterparts, regional bodies, UN organizations, financial institutions, donors, the private sector, and CSOs.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, the Regional Policy Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, monitoring and managing the UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional WEE portfolio. S/he is leading the development of women´s economic empowerment programmes (regional and country-level) and providing policy support and capacity building to UN Women staff, country offices and partners in the Region, including through knowledge generation and the establishment and strengthening partnerships. S/he leads a dynamic and results-oriented regional team, and work in close collaboration with the broader regional programme and operations team, UN Women HQ and country-level staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors, the private sector, other UN Agencies, and civil society, ensure successful UN Women programme implementation, including through joint programming.

Duties and Responsibilities

Oversee the development of regional and country-level programmes in the area of women’s economic empowerment (WEE)

• Oversee the development and implementation of regional programmes and project on WEE
• Provide technical inputs to programme proposals from country offices;
• Provide advice on contextualizing/ localizing programme documents, country strategies, and knowledge products;
• Coordinate monitoring and reporting for WEE and Climate Smart Agriculture in collaboration with programme teams.
• Provide strategic planning support for regional activities and strategies addressing WEE and their incorporation into Regional Strategies and annual work plan.

 

Provide capacity building support to Country Office/Multi Country Office on WEE programming

• Provide substantive technical and policy support to country office and multi country office programme teams in developing and strengthening WEE projects/programmes;
• Develop, implement and monitor capacity building initiatives;
• Provide technical support to partners on implementation of WEE programmes and projects;
• Provide technical policy advice to WEE= programme/project managers.

 

Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with stakeholders, regional/ international actors and development partners:

• Build and maintain alliances and strategic partnerships for the advancement of the WEE portfolio, including donors;
• Produce periodic updates and briefs on regional/country development situation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment portfolio to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ;

• Maintain close contact with relevant staff in UN Women HQ.

 

Manage the resource mobilization strategy for Women’s Economic Empowerment in the region

• Participate in the implementation, monitoring and periodic updating of the resource mobilization strategy on Women’s Economic Empowerment in the region;
• Provide technical support to field-based presences in the region in mobilizing resources for the implementation of Women’s Economic Empowerment;
• Research and analyze information on donors;
• Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation.

 

Review budget management for Regional Office WEE programmes and manage people:

• Lead and supervise WEE team, including by performing personnel performance reviews and ensuring ongoing capacity development of personnel by suggesting development opportunities;
• Monitor the financial delivery of the WEE programmes to ensure timely allocation and utilization of resources, in line with UN Women rules and regulations and against agreed targets and expected results and using appropriate business management systems;

• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination between offices, programmes and projects.

 

Oversee monitoring and reporting for the WEE portfolio:

• Oversee the monitoring of progress against mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators;
• Gather information and prepare reports on progress of programme implementation for donors, including technical reports and periodic (quarterly/annual) progress reports;
• Provide technical support in the preparation of audits and evaluations and follow up on the implementation of audit and evaluation findings and recommendations related to the regional WEE portfolio.

 

Oversee the design of WEE in the region and the development of relevant knowledge products:

• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to WEE;
• Work closely with and provide advice to regional/ national bodies and interagency groups that influence national policies related to WEE;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
• Research, develop and present analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence, and knowledge products on WEE.

 

Key Performance Indicators

• WEE and CSA programmes are implemented in line with Strategic Notes and Annual Work plans and budgets;
• Programme teams adhere to UN Women’s Rules, Regulations, policies and procedures, using a results-based management approach;
• Timely and quality technical advice and support;
• Quality reports and other strategic documents are drafted and submitted in a timely manner;
• Strong relationships are built and maintained with various partners and stakeholders.

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

 

Functional Competencies

• Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Excellent knowledge of economics, women’s rights and economic empowerment;
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
• Ability to synthesize programme performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management;
• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
• Strong networking and partnerships-building skills;
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative research, and use evidence to inform policy advocacy and technical advice;
• Excellent analytical and communications skills; ability to write high-quality papers, speeches, briefings and reports;
• Strong knowledge of UN programme management systems.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, 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 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, including programme design, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building;
• Technical experience in gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, preferably with field experience in managing and/or overseeing related programmes;
• 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;
• Proven experience in leading teams effectively.

 

Languages

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

 

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).