VACANCY: Programme Coordinator (Women, Peace and Security Programme), Colombia

Closing Date: Monday, 25 October 2010

Background

UNIFEM' s (Part of UN Women) Women, Peace and Security Programme aims to support women's role in conflict prevention, resolution and post-conflict peace building by providing information and strategies related to the impact of conflict on women and their role in peace building, strengthening protection and assistance for women affected by conflict, promoting the participation of women in intergovernmental national, regional and international peace and security initiatives, and strengthening a focus on gender justice, constitutional, legislative, judicial and electoral reform in post-conflict settings.

The programme focuses on the processes related to the conflict in Colombia and to post-conflict in Guatemala and will have the following three objectives:

• To strengthen women's capacities, leaderships, visibility and recognition as social and political actors in prevention, post-conflict and peace-building processes
• To support networking and collaborating among women peace activists and organizations at the national and regional levels, as well as with other key social and political actors
  
• To promote contributions of women leaders in dialogue, negotiation and decision-making processes
  
• Duties and Responsibilities
  

Project and Financial Management:

Under the guidance of the Regional Programme Director (RPD) and direct supervision of the Country Programme Manager, will be responsible for:

• Coordinate and manage the regional programme and act as the focal point for all personnel, entities and groups involved in the execution of the projects by preserving effective and timely communication and information exchange
• Build strategic partnerships with UNHCR, UNHCHR, UNDP, UNFPA and other UN entities, and donors at the international, regional and national levels to facilitate project implementation and resource mobilization
  
• Respond to AECI and other donors' requirements for Colombia and Guatemala, in terms of project implementation, monitoring and reporting
  
• Undertake administrative follow-up and other duties as required within the framework of the Latin America regional programme
  
• Conduct missions both inside and outside Colombia as necessary
  
• Supervise the production of finance and managerial information such as: programme and project financial reports, including analysis of income, expenditure; monitors and updates financial data relating to the regional programme on a timely basis
  
• Supervise the use of funds and the implementation arrangements
  
• Supervise the performance of the programme team members to ensure that all tasks are executed in order to meet the objectives of the Programme
  
• Identify gaps in Programme outputs and make the necessary adjustments
  
• Ensure coordination and coherence with other program, project and activities on gender responsible budgets carried out by UNIFEM in the LAC region and on GRB worldwide
  
• Supervise the preparation and submission of reports - financial, status and coordination reports - on a regular basis
  
• Provide to donors and partners with continuous information on the programmes activities and implementation; including both narrative and financial sections
  
• Ensures procurement and staffing requirements of the global programmes are met and comply with UNIFEM and UNDP rules and regulations
  

Policy Support, Knowledge-sharing and Advocacy:

• Provide with technical support to the Regional Programme Director in order to negotiate further fundraising for the Programme
• S/he will also receive technical guidance from the Advisor on Governance, Peace and Security at Headquarters, and will work in close collaboration with staff from the Andean Office and the programme focal point in Guatemala. S/he will work in coordination with women's organizations at the local, national and regional levels, national governments and UN and international cooperation agencies in the execution of activities
  
• Support gender mainstreaming efforts, provide gender expertise to and foster/maintain collaboration with UN agencies and UN inter-agency groups
  
• Monitors progress towards overall programme results through supporting regular review of activities and results at the country level, and through encouraging regular collection of data as indicated in the monitoring and results framework
  
• Assist in regional and sub-regional strategy development reflecting local, national and regional realities through a participatory approach
  
• Undertake periodic Programme reviews, visits and evaluation (monitoring activities & results
  
• Supervise the dissemination of tools, publications and products of the Programme; (IBID)
  
• Establishes systems for documenting and analyzing the conditions enabling notable impact of these initiatives. Frequent field missions are an essential part of this. Ensure information flow between field and HQ on lessons learned, promising approaches, less promising approaches
  
• Coordinate and supervise regional studies and researches taken under the Programme framework
  
• Participate in global knowledge events and meetings, seminars and consultations planned as part of the programme as well as those defined by UNIFEM
  
• Supports institutional learning, promoting the systematization of lessons learned, results and knowledge finding as result of the impact programme
  
• Promote and represent the Programme at national and international events
  
• Attends programme meetings within UNIFEM, and other forums for coordinating planning and quality programme implementation, as relevant; provides other support to the programme team as necessary, including support in drafting project proposals, organizing programme workshops etc
  

Competencies

• Hands-on, operational, solutions-focused, creative and resourceful
• Open to change with ability to manage complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results
  
• Demonstrated ability to juggle competing demands, to manage time effectively and adhere to deadlines, and to work flexibly with many advisers in a multicultural team
  
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently
  
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a multi-cultural team environment
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills to support building networks and partnerships
  
• Excellent client service orientation
  
• Excellent communication / organizational skills, attention to details
  
• Strong analytical, writing and strategic thinking skills
  
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook & the Internet, human resource management, procurement and administration and financial management, familiarity with UNIFEM would be a strong asset;
  
• Experience in operating web-based management systems and ERP systems, in particular ATLAS
  
• Ability to quickly learn corporate software applications is a definite advantage
  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
Advanced university degree or equivalent in Gender and Development, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in planning, designing, organizing and implementing gender and development projects, preferably in international cooperation.
Experience on programme coordination
Knowledge about peace and security issues.
Familiarity with UNIFEM principles and initiatives, and with Colombia's and Central America's context.
Experience in gender work, initiative and sound judgment, demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different nationalities and cultural background; ability to work under conditions of extreme pressure and difficult living conditions.
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
Excellent computer skills, knowledge of internet communications and command of MS Office applications

Language Requirements:
Fluency in Spanish and English (written and oral) required.
Knowledge of another UN language will be an asset

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UNIFEM Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_histo... . Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UNIFEM P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.