I. Position Information

Job Code Title           :         Program Assistant - Governance

Organization                         :           United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the

                                               Empowerment of  Women  (UN WOMEN)

Classified Grade       :           SB- 3

Direct supervisor      :           Program Specialist, Governance Unit

Duty Station              :           New Delhi , India

Type of Contract       :           Service Contract

No. of positions        :           One

Duration                     :          One Year (Renewable)

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:-

Under the overall supervision of the Head and the direct supervision of the Program Specialist for Governance Unit, the Programme Assistant will support the Governance Unit and provide programme support services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions in the following Programmes:

q  Support to formulation and implementation of programme strategies

q  Support to management of the programme

q  Administrative support to the Programme Unit relating to both the programme and finance functions.

q  Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing

q  Support in managing strategic partnerships

q  Logistical support to the programme unit relating to organization of events

1.     Supports formulation and implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

q   Collection, analysis and presentation of information for identification of areas for support and programme formulation/ implementation. 

2.     Provides effective support to management of the programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:

q   Provides support to the programme unit with the objective  that implementation targets and accountability mechanisms in the programme are duly met

q   Creation of projects in Atlas, preparation of budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, operational and financial closure of a project.

q   Presentation of information for audit of projects.

3.     Provides administrative support to the programme focusing on achievement of  the following  results:

q   Preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects.

q   Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded

q   Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.

q   Making budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers.

q   Liaise and backstop project partners and functionaries during their visit to UNWOMEN offices and arrange their schedule of meetings.

q   Maintenance of all records/documents/files relating to the project and related programmes in a user friendly manner

q   Managing vendors that prepare products relating to the project.

q   Preparation of MTOs and submission of travel documents for the program unit members.

q   Be the Leave Monitor for the program unit.

4.     Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

q   Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

q   Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

q   Prepare six monthly progress reports of the initiative for submission to the Steering/ Advisory Committee

q   Maintain all records relating to the project and related programmes in a user friendly manner

q   Organize /arrange meetings with government departments and NGO partners as and when needed.

q   Develop a pool of contemporary literature on related subjects for reference and use by the project team.

q   Participation in the trainings and meetings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

5. Provides support in managing strategic partnerships  focusing on achievement of the following results:

q   Maintaining a database of information on civil society organizations and campaigns advocating for strengthening the Panchayati Raj institution

q   Maintaining a database of donors, assisting in preparation of donor’s profile and in preparing donor briefs

6. Provides logistical support to the programme unit focusing on the achievement of the following results:

q   Meetings and events are orchestrated effectively by backstopping project partners and functionaries during their visit to UNWOMEN offices and arranging their schedule of meetings.

q   Support the team in every way to enable timely and smooth implementation of project activities

7. Any other task assigned by the Head and/or the Programme Specialist of the Unit.

IV. Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the Programme Unit and success in implementation of programme strategies.  Accurate analysis, data entry and presentation of information ensure proper programme implementation of the UNWOMEN programmes in the South Asia Region.

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies:

q  Demonstrates commitment to UNWOMEN’s mission, vision and values.

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

q  Shares knowledge and experience

q  Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

q  Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.

q  Ability to provide input to and use new IT based systems

Leadership and Self-Management

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

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

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

q  Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

q  Good understanding of gender and HIV issues.

q  Demonstrable ability to work in a team

q  Ability to work under pressure.

q  Good writing and communication skills

q  Excellent computer literacy and skills

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

University Degree in Public Administration, Economics, Political or Social Sciences.

Experience:

3 to 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and other South Asian languages.