Project Manager - Gender and Humanitarian at UN Women

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Type of Contract: TA Local
Post Level: NO-C
Starting Date: 01-Jul-2021 (date when the selected candidate is expected to start:
Duration of Initial Contract: 365 days
Expected Duration of Assignment: 365 days

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.
• In 2018, UN Women Nigeria established a presence in Maiduguri, Borno State North East, Nigeria to support the efforts of the Government of Nigeria and other UN agencies towards the humanitarian response through targeted livelihoods support for women and girls and the broader transition from humanitarian relief to longer-recovery and development.
• UN Women is also engaged in coordination and technical support across the sectoral responses; capacity building for humanitarian workers; and undertakes various assessments and related initiatives to allow for evidence-based, gender-responsive response to the evolving crisis in the North East. The objective of UN Women programmes in the Northeast is to ensure protection for vulnerable women and girls as well as their equitable safe access to humanitarian and recovery assistance. The programmes also promote women’s meaningful participation and leadership in humanitarian and recovery processes.
• In this regard, UN Women, with funding support from the Government of Japan, is implementing a project on Empowering Women and Girls for Enhanced Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response in Borno and Yobe States. The project is designed to contribute to reducing the spread of COVID-19 through support to women’s leadership and participation in preventing and responding to gender-based violence while expanding access to economic empowerment opportunities.

Job Description

• Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Deputy Country Representative, and with strategic reporting to the Country Representative, the Project Manager is responsible for the leadership, substantive coordination and overall management of the Japan-funded project for results as well as managing and coordinating other UN Women interventions in the Northeast.
• The Project Manager works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women Nigeria Country Office staff, Government, civil society and other humanitarian partners ensuring successful implementation of UN Women programmes in Northeast Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities
Manage the implementation of the Japan project and other assigned portfolio of projects in Northeast:

• Develop the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
• Manage the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams;
• Oversee the establishment of partnership agreements
• Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners:
• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support the implementation of programmes;
• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives.

Manage the Monitoring of Programme/ Project Implementation and Finances using results-based Management Tools:

• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions;
• Oversee activities of implementing partners and the submission of inarrative and financial reports;
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
• Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results-Based Management tools and performance indicators;
• Contribute to office donor and UN Women reports.

Management of Human and Financial Resources of the Portfolio of  Projects Assigned under the Northeast Response:

• Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
• Supervise field coordinators, Programme Associates and/or UN Volunteers, assigned;
• Mentor and coach staff and conduct performance assessments;
• Oversee the recruitment processes of experts and staff as necessary.
• Contribute to Inter-agency Coordination on Gender in Humanitarian Action to Achieve Coherence and alignment of UN Women Programmes with other Partners  in the Northeast:
• Contribute to the strengthening of key humanitarian partners process by providing continuous guidance and technical support on gender in humanitarian action through the Gender Technical Team Group.
• Contribute to gender mainstreaming in National-led efforts of humanitarian strategies and plans, such as the Humanitarian Response Plan and Humanitarian Overview, and Covid-19 Contingency Plan.
• Advocate for the engagement and meaningful participation of local women’s organizations and platforms in humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Design and deliver capacity building initiatives in Gender in Humanitarian Action
• Engage working group and sector leads,  and key humanitarian partners on Gender in Humanitarian Action initiatives aimed to increase the gender responsiveness of the coordination mechanism and systems.
• Provide technical support to the Head of Sub-Office on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees as needed;

Manage Advocacy, Knowledge Building and Communication Efforts:

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the Northeast  response;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
• Provide input to briefs, policy updates and other documents related to the humanitarian situation in Nigeria
• Contribute to the exchange of information and knowledge products of the program internally and externally;
• Organize major advocacy campaigns, events, training, workshops and knowledge products
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Northeast  response as necessary

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality programme strategies and activities;
• Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget and workplans, and in line with all UN Women operational rules and regulations, including security;
• Timely and quality monitoring and evaluation of programmes;
• Relations with partners and stakeholders;
• Quality reports and timely submission;
• Quality of advocacy and communication initiatives.
• Increased cooperation and communication between UN Women and the humanitarian partners in Borno and Yobe States.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• 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.
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender and development projects;
• Technical experience of mainstreaming a gender perspective in humanitarian programmes, humanitarian coordination and experience working in humanitarian settings.
• Technical experience in implementing women’s economic empowerment and livelihood projects
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
• Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Language Requirements:

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

Competencies
Core Values and Guiding Principles:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for diversity.

Core Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Sotrng programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Strong knowledge of results-based management principles and approaches
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on results
• Sound knowledge of gender and humanitarian issues
• Ability to lead the formulation of strategies and their implementation
• Strongnetworking skills
• Ability to negotiate and interact with donors and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Strong  analytical and problem-solving skills.