Programme Specialist (Women's Entrepreneurship and Gender-Responsive Procurement) at UN Women

Type of Contract: Service Contract
Post Level: SB-5
Duration of Initial Contract: 1 year

Duties and Responsibilities
Project Management and Coordination:

• Act as project manager for the national component of the project Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement Reform in West and Central Africa and lead the implementation of national activities
• Manage, supervise, and coordinate consultants and other contractors for the implementation of project activities
• Manage financial resources of the programme including budgeting and budget revisions, and expenditure tracking
• Oversee regular monitoring visits to project implementation sites 
• Monitor project progress according to the work plan, and draft monitoring and donor reports
• Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and timely donor reporting;·
• Finalize annual and quarterly reports; finalize the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports; ·
• Coordinate relationships with key partners to support implementation, raise potential problems and suggest solutions
• Act as country focal person for the regional evaluation of the project

Partnerships:

• Manage relationships with government stakeholders, including procurement agencies at the federal and state level, to strengthen the implementation of project activities.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with women-owned businesses, women-owned business networks and development partners (civil society organisations, donors) including through facilitating partner learning, and identifying opportunities for collaboration
• Technical assistance and advice on Affirmative Procurement Reform: Advice CO senior management and project partners on the integration of affirmative procurement principles in national/regional policies.
• Identify capacity building needs and support the development of strategies to build capacity in the area of gender-responsive procurement policies and practices
• Support and oversee technical experts in the provision of technical assistance to institutional partners and Women-led SMEs to access public procurement/corporate supply chains

 Knowledge Management:

• Support the CO in the formulation and implementation of national learning strategies to build the capacity of UN Women’s and its strategic partners in the area of affirmative procurement
• Lead the development of advocacy, knowledge building and communications activities at the national/country level
• Contribute to the exchange of information and lead/supervise technical experts in the development of knowledge products
• Actively participate in UN Women’s Community of Practice on Gender-responsive procurement to share results, information and lessons from the project

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality substantive inputs programme strategies and activities;
• Timely and quality substantive inputs to work plans and budgets;
• Adherence to UN Women standards and rules;
• Timely monitoring and tracking of programme results and finances;
• Relationship with partners and stakeholders;
• Timely organization of events;
• Quality of knowledge and advocacy products.

Required Skills and Experience
Education and certification:

• Master's Degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender / Women's Studies, International Development, 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
• Certification in Gender, Project Management, Affirmative procurement, Public-Private Partnerships, Financial Management,  would be considered an added advantage

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in development programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building.
• Experience in public policy and strategy to support women's entrepreneurship.
• In-depth knowledge of gender/public procurement procedures and regulations in West and Central Africa;
• Knowledge of and experience working with private sector affirmative sourcing and supply chain practices;
• Experience working in programs and projects funded by international institutions (World Bank, African Development Bank; United Nations System) is an asset.
• Experience designing and delivering training for women entrepreneurs is an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of local languages is an asset.

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:

• Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Good budget and finance skills
• Good knowledge of Results-Based Management
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations
• Good analytical skills
• Good knowledge of the technical area of gender-responsive procurement
• Good knowledge of women business associations
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising.