Technical Expert – Project Management and Women Economic Empowerment

Job Description

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.

Women in many countries do not control key assets such as the family home, property, and decision-making rights on the use of income, further limiting opportunities to break the poverty cycle. As per Rural Women in Pakistan -Status Report 2018 by UN Women; the population of 64% residing in rural areas depends on agriculture and allied activities for its livelihood. According to the official agriculture statistics, agriculture accounts for 21 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and for just under half of the total employed labour force. However, for rural women, agriculture is their main labouractivity—approximately 75% of women and girls (ages 10 and above) in the labour force are employed in the agriculture sector.

UN Women supports policies that have the potential to bring economic security and rights to vulnerable women and supports initiatives to enhance economic opportunities for women, while also building the capacity of economic institutions and networks to provide women with resources. Climate smart agriculture and recognizing the lead role of women in agri business is one of the focus area of UN Women Pakistan office. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UN Women has been made part of high-level technical committees that are focusing on the uplift of Newly Merged District through sustainable rural development. Unemployment and low growth are challenging in the KP-Merged Districts due to years of regional instability underpinned by decades of poor governance, which has affected the youth by confronting the challenges of limited economic opportunities and employment prospects. The unemployment in youth (aged 18-30 years) is 11.8% as compared to 5.6% in rest of the country. The challenges of inclusion and empowerment of the youth will only continue to grow when governments are unable to foster work opportunities and platforms for expression and engagement. Since the livelihoods of the population in the MDs is mainly dependent on agriculture and allied trades, mainly crops and livestock, therefore, the sector offers great opportunities for the integration of youth to foster their economic well-being.

Under the USAID-funded Livelihood and Food Security Improvent Activity (LFSA), Outcome-2 and its realted Outputs-2.1 and 2.2, and the corresponding interventions are implemented by the UN Women to strengthen the underserved and marginalized farming households especially women by giving them voice and support to actively participate in the local economic development interventions, and above all to access productive assets, technologies, and services. Target women farmers will be identified through FAO field level staff for the services carried out by UN Women. FAO and UN Women will work closely to complement each other activities as per agreed workplan

Duties and Responsibilities:

The assignment focuses on the effective management and administration of the Women’s Economic Empowerment in rural setting (focusing on agriculture and livestock) in targeted areas of Bajaur, Khyber and Mohmand. The scope of work includes implementation of program strategies, monitoring of progress, close liaison with stakeholders, developing partnerships, timely reporting and troubleshooting of any issues. The position will be responsible for overall project implementation with strict timelines and ensuring desired results.

UN Women aims at recruiting a Technical Expert – Project Management and Women Economic Empowerment project management expert to support the implementation of its activities related to Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods Portfolio in general and the project Livelihood and Food Security Improvement Fund for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa merged districts in particular. The HR recruited will also contribute towards knowledge management and capacity building of the team and implementing partners based on project activities.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the technical expert will undertake the following tasksfocusing on :

Quality assurance from formulation to implementation and monitoring of the projects achieving the following results:

• Providing effective support to overall management of the project in close coordination with Women’s Economic Empowerment WEE&SL Portfolio, FAO KP team, District Government and relevant gov institutions.
• Support the management of programme activities including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting (narrative and financial);
• Support the design and formulation of projects activities within the area of responsibility, translating priorities into local interventions for project interventions continuity.
• Ensure effective application of Results Based Management tools, provide guidance to partners on establishment of performance indicators, and monitor achievement of results.
• Work closely with women community in NMDs and facilitate the work on building capacities of women farmers, to attain economic empowerment.
• Undertake substantive monitoring of the programme activities, including quality assurance of project activities, tracking use of financial resources, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions.
• Lead the preparation of project documents including concept notes, requests/ calls for proposals, terms of reference, project proposals, briefing notes/ talking points, etc.
• Draft internal and external reports as required in order to fulfil reporting requirements in a timely manner focusing on outputs and outcomes, and using RBM language.
• Comment on documents/ communications as requested by external partners.
• Ensure active participation and contribution of UN Women perspectives to relevant conferences, and meetings.
• Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, and preparation of reports.
• Undertake analysis of the situation in programme implementation to identify potential risks or bottlenecks and operational and financial problems, and develop solutions.
  
  
  

Provide Administrative support to the Programme Unitfocusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist in the administrative and logistics matters for smooth implementation of the programme activities.
• Assist in managing the project’s finances, human resources, assets, procurement, logistics and administrative matters, including use of financial system of UN, ensuring effective use of resources and compliance with UN Women rules and procedures as well as with donor or fund requirements.
• Liaise with relevant programme/ operations units and sub office to ensure satisfactory provision of services, flow of information and the project’s compliance with its obligations.
• Undertake regular documentation of programme activities and oversee management of office records.
• Coordinate and provide technical and logistical support in the implementation of programme activities
  
  
  

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Plan and organize trainings for the project staff on programme strategies, objectives and outcomes.
• Develop and share Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
• Support the development and uploading of Annual Reports, Quarterly Progress Reports and Workplans.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Contribute to knowledge and capacity building of the project and provide technical as well as administrative support.
  
  
  

Any other relevant work aligned with the role and as directed by supervisor.

Payment:

The contract will spread over 8 months. Payment will be made on monthly basis instalments as agreed in workplan developed and on submission of monthly certificate of payment duly signed and verified by KP Head of office.

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:

• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
• Computer skills comprising knowledge of Windows, internet communications and command of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point).
  
  
  

Education:

• Master’s degree Social Science, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Management or related discipline or other development-related fields.
• Qualified project management specialist certification is an asset.
• Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience will also be considered.
  
  
  

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ progressively responsible administrative or program experience is required at the national or international level. Preference will be given to those who have worked on issues related to gender equality/ women’s rights and rural development.
• Strong demonstrated experience of working with multiple stakeholders in development sector.
• Knowledge of planning, designing and implementing RBM products and strategies.
• Experience in drafting reports, including using RBM, M&E tools and techniques, and approaches for the presentation of information through use of graphic, pictorial, video or other appropriate communication means.
• Proven analytical and report writing skills.
• Strong understanding of gender and development issues in Pakistan and women economic empowerment in rural settings with special focus on Newly Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Proficiency in the use of software used for preparing reports including Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) is required
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and function as part of a team;
  
  
  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Urdu. Familiarly with Pushto is an asset.
  
  
  

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.)