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.

Gender inequality in Papua New Guinea is severe, with the country ranked 169 out of 170 globally. Women and girls face high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and low literacy levels. The DHS 2016-2018 indicates that 54% of women have experienced GBV in the past year, and nearly 23% of women aged 15-49 have no formal education.  Structural barriers, cultural norms, and weak protection systems worsen the situation. Tribal conflicts, sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV), and small arms proliferation, especially in the Highlands, increase violence. Despite policies to reduce discrimination, comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to address these issues and achieve gender equality. Additionally, ongoing conflicts have displaced communities, further exacerbating GBV incidents. The persistence of these challenges highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to promote social stability and human rights and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 05 on gender equality, 10 Reduce Inequality and 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions.

Building on the gains of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS (Agencies) are starting a joint initiative entitled “Soim Wokabout: Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme”, financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI Global Europe).  The joint programme aims to reduce the incidence of GBV in communities in target provinces, including in and out of schools (Eastern Highlands and the National Capital District).  This will capitalize on existing programmes addressing specific forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) while supporting prevention and protection efforts for GBV survivors, strengthening access to justice, and ending violence against women and girls at national, provincial, district, and community levels.  It seeks to scale up effective integrated approaches to deliver quality coordinated services, strengthen referral pathways, mobilize communities and networks to address harmful gender and social norms fueling GBV and SARV and promote implementation of laws and policies to reduce GBV and SARV while mobilizing national, provincial and community leadership on the programme’s investments to enhance sustainability.

The joint programme’s specific objectives are: 1. To increase access of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity, experiencing gender-based violence, to essential quality services, protection and justice. 2. To improve advocacy and agency of civil society organisations, women’s rights organisations, social movements and communities to end gender-based violence (GBV).  3. To make more effective the engagement of community leaders, male advocates and influential groups and actors in society in changing discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes, GBV and harmful practices.

Reporting to UN Women Deputy Country Representative, the Programme Technical Coordinator (PTC) provides technical guidance and exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, coordinating and reporting on the entire Soim Wokabout joint programme. The PTC works closely with the Steering Committee, the Resident Coordinators’ Office, the implementing agencies as well as other stakeholders. The PTC will lead the Secretariat team of the Soim Wokabout joint initiative composed of the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, the Advocacy Specialist and the Finance and Administrative Officer for this coming joint programme, as well as the National Programme Specialist of the joint initiative.  The incumbent will also provide strategic engagement with the government counterparts, high-level programme oversight, planning, monitoring, reporting and quality assurance of the programme components, in coordination with the Civil Society Reference Group and the National Steering Committee. Moreover, the incumbent will ensure information sharing with all key stakeholders, most importantly the EUD at all times during programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

1-Provide programme development advisory services:

• In collaboration with the Inter-agency technical teams, oversee and manages the design and formulation of the joint programme initiatives across the three outcomes.
• Coordinate the implementation of the joint programme and ensures that the programme remains integrated, relevant and is in line with various elements of the programme document, including the programme strategies and coordination arrangements set out in the programme document.
• In collaboration with the Inter-agency technical teams, organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders and UN partners to gather inputs on programme design, as necessary.
• Advise UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS, the Government of PNG and collaborating partners on the vision and overall strategic direction of the joint programme.
• Lead the Secretariat team of the joint programme and oversees technical support to the various programme components.

2-Manage the implementation of the Soim Wokabout joint programme:

• Facilitate annual planning and budgeting and is responsible for finalizing the annual work plan and budget and coordinating their implementation.
• Provide programme advisory support to the joint Programme Steering Committee.
• Manage the technical implementation of the programme; provide technical advice; ensure synergies across programme outcomes.
• Track expenditures by UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS and recommends timely movement of resources
• Provide oversight to the Agencies of quality reporting and timely delivery.
• Coordinats the production and dissemination of consolidated results of the joint programme based on progress reports prepared by the Agencies.
• Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators.
• Provide support in preparing for Programme Steering Committee meetings; annual and quarterly programme reviews and/or evaluation meetings.

3- Manage the monitoring and reporting of the joint programme:

• Manage the monitoring of programme implementation and finances using results-based management tools.
• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions.
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes.
• Contribute to the Agencies’ reports related to the joint programme activities.

4-Oversee technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners:

• Guide the process of delivery of technical assistance and engagement with partners.
• Provide technical advice to UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS for purposes of ensuring programme coherence.
• Build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the joint programme; respond to any potential problems.
• Serve as an expert resource to the Agencies implementing GBV.
• Implement and oversees capacity-building opportunities and initiatives.
• Provide partners with advanced technical assistance, training and capacity development initiatives.

5-Manage inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for the Soim Wokabout joint programme in PNG:

• Provide substantive technical support to the RC and Heads of Agencies on inter-agency coordination-related activities by attending meetings, events and participating in groups and committees.
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the programme’s capacity development is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.
• Take part in country-level Common Country Assessment (CCA)/ United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) processes and similar exercises related to the UN system.
• Promote harmonization and cohesion among UN agencies by exploring synergies, integration, and value addition.

6-Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization;
• Analyze and research donor information, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, and identify opportunities for cost-sharing.

7-Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts:

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the GBV and SARV.
• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning.
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on GBV and SARV.

8-The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated capacity and experience in coordinating different UN agencies/organisations
• Administrative and coordination expertise of joint or inter-agency programmes
• Ability to lead strategic planning, change management processes, and resource-based management
• Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets and deliver them
• Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Excellent knowledge in EVAWG/SGBV/HP/SRHR
• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation
• Strong networking skills
• Ability to develop proposals for joint programmes, negotiate and interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, public health or a related field 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 (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines programme coordination and strategic planning in the area of gender equality and women’s rights, EVAWG/SGBV/HP/SRHR.
• Minimum 5 years of experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors.
• Experience in programme management, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting is required.
• Experience working in the Pacific region, Papua New Guinea, or similar contexts is required.
• Experience in leading/managing a team is desirable.
• Experience working in the UN System is desirable.
• Experience managing an EU-funded project is also desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.