I. Position Information

Job Code Title           :           District Project Officer – Gender & Governance

 Organization              :           UN Women – United Nations Entity for Gender

                                                Equality and the Empowerment of Women  

Classified Grade        :           SC-Band 6 

Direct supervisor       :           Senior Program Specialist – UN WOMEN Governance 

                                                Unit  

Duty Station               :           Dhenkanal and Gajapati in Orissa

Vizianagaram and Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh

Nalanda and Supaul in Bihar

Mysore and Kolar in Karnataka

Jhabua and Sehore in Madhya Pradesh

Dungarpur, Tonk and Alwar in Rajasthan  

Type of Contract       :           Service Contract 

No. of Posts                :            13 (Thirteen)  

Duration                     :          One Year

II. Organizational Context  

 UN Women is the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women created  to accelerate progress on gender equality and the realization of women’s rights. UN Women is a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls, providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels. UN Women’s South Asia Regional Office, based in New Delhi, India, covers eight countries of the region, i.e., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In South Asia, UN Women specifically focuses on: Strengthening women’s economic security and rights; Ending violence against women, including trafficking and HIV/AIDS; and Promoting women’s political leadership in democratic governance and peace building.  

The Government of India and UN Women are collaborating through the Government’s panchayati raj institutions to empower women in politics and governance. Within this larger framework, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and UN Women, South Asia Regional Office (SARO) have launched a programme on gender responsive governance called ‘Promoting Women’s Leadership and Governance in India and South Asia’.  

The programme aims to empower elected women representatives in local governments to make public policy and resource allocation responsive to women’s human rights.

The programme will adopt three main strategies:

a)      Support trainings, coalitions and advocacy so that women representatives transform and implement policies, programmes and resource allocations in favour of women’s rights; and

b)      Strengthen key capacity development and media institutions in the region to mainstream gender responsive governance in their programmes.

c)      Support research and policy advocacy to address the legal and policy impediments to women’s political participation:-  

The District Project Officers, each based in one district covered under the Programme will be responsible to oversee and monitor the implementation of the project at district-levels and ensure achievement of programme outcome, including attending Gram Panchayat, Gram Sabha and Ward Sabha meetings and help the people take up issues that concern women.  

The District Project Officers will report to Governance team at UN Women SARO in Delhi and will also coordinate with the State Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, SIRDs and UNICEF offices in respective states. 

III. Functions / Key Results Expected 

1.      Responsible for providing overall district level coordination and all-round support related to the initiation and completion of project activities – prepare and implement the project Annual Work Plan in the district.

2.      Ensure periodic review of project progress made in activities as per work plan, adjust work plan if required, and provide timely information to project authorities to ensure quality outcomes.

3.      Ensure effective financial management and reporting as per the UN guidelines and submit timely financial and physical progress reports to the UN Women and MoPR as well as ensure timely closing of project activities.

4.      Support the Monitoring & Evaluation framework in the context of results based management approach, focusing on the following results:

·   Assist programme unit in Monitoring & Evaluation activities in overall work plan – including monitoring the work of the programme partners in the field.

·   Coordinate mid-term and final evaluation of the programme.

·   Prepare highlight and final reports. 

5.      Undertake any other program related to activities assigned by Senior Programme Officer, Governance Unit, UN Women.  

IV. Impact of Results 

 The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation (gender and governance). In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. 

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

 Corporate Competencies: 

q  Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

q  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN WOMEN

q  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

q  Treats all people fairly without favoritism 

Functional Competencies: 

Knowledge Management and Learning

q  Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office

q  In-depth knowledge on development issues

q  Ability to advocate and provide policy advice

q  Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills  

Development and Operational Effectiveness

q  Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting

q  Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources

q  Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit

q  Strong IT skills

q  Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change 

Management and Leadership

q  Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback

q  Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills

q  Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

q  Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills

q  Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors

q  Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

q  Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Graduate Degree from a recognised University .in Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

5 years experience of working with the Gram Panchayats/ women’s organisation/ women’s co-operatives.

Clear understanding of gender issues,

Ability to deal with stakeholders at all levels from community to senior government officials.

Ability to deal with large meetings of people and assist in the discussions.

Basic knowledge of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Capacity to handle internationally aided programs.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of State’s official language is a must.

Knowledge of local Languages and culture.