Programme Specialist, Gender & Gender Based Violence Full-Time

The Position

Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative and the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office in Pemba, the Programme Specialist, Gender and GBV is located in the Sub Office, based in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. The incumbent will lead the day-to-day management of the Gender & GBV interventions and ensure close and effective communication and collaboration between Pemba and Country Office.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, taking the lead in delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s current strategic plan (2022-2025) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls.

UNFPA recruits principled and ethical staff with a firm belief in and commitment to upholding human rights and gender equality, who embody UN international norms and standards including zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse, and who will defend these diplomatically and courageously.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high-impact and sustained results and who are true team workers; we recruit staff who are transparent, accountable, exceptional in how resources entrusted to us are managed and ensure value for money and are committed to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose

Advancing gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls are key priorities that are built in corporate priorities in the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

UNFPA is a leading player in Gender-Based Violence prevention and response in Mozambique. The Country Office manages a portfolio of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programmes, focused both on multisectoral essential services and on prevention. This includes several GBV Prevention and Response (GBVPR) projects. This position is intended to assist the country office in managing the Gender and GBVPR interventions in the assigned geographic areas as well as to further enhance and grow UNFPA Mozambique’s programmatic and thought leadership in this area.

The Programme Specialist, Gender and GBV will oversee UNFPA’s multi-sectoral GBV prevention, response, and coordination efforts in Mozambique, with a particular focus on the assigned geographic areas. This will include the provision of high-quality technical, advocacy and coordination support in order to ensure compliance with international standards across the areas of UNFPA mandated areas of work. The Programme Specialist, under the supervision of the Team Leader, is directly responsible for the project management and implementation and coordination of GBV programming with the Government, NGOs and civil society partners; as well as direct supervision of sub-national office technical staff based in the sub-office.

You would be responsible for:

a) Technical Support and Programming:

Coordinate, support and manage the coherent and effective implementation of UNFPA’s GBV Prevention and Response (GBVPR) Programme, using a results-based approach incorporating creativity, innovation, and responsiveness to the project’s needs, and thorough monitoring and reporting, in the assigned geographic area.

• Provide overall coordination, monitoring and technical support to implementing partners and facilitate closer working and collaboration between implementing partners on the rollout of the GBVPR Programme.
• Build knowledge and practices in relation to GBV response and prevention programming, gender and women’s empowerment, including a focus on male and youth engagement.
• Provide technical support to the sub-offices, country office, the UN and other partners aimed at capacity building and institutional strengthening on GBV and women’s empowerment.
• Lead the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents to address GBV and broader gender issues through various key partners.
• Keep abreast of new Gender and GBV policy developments, analyzing policy papers, strategy documents, national plans and development frameworks. Support and implement UNFPA’s organizational engagement strategy with partners in line with the overall institutional funding strategy and vision.
• Promote a high standard of compliance with UNFPA rules and regulations, including financial requirements and management, and provide guidance on effective implementation of the GBVPR interventions, in compliance with requirements and due diligence processes. Assist with the organization of audits as necessary.
• Advise implementing partners on the implementation and proper application of UNFPA policies, strategies, guidelines and tools, ensuring consistency and coherence in addressing UNFPA priorities.
• Support coordination the capacity building and training of UNFPA staff at country and sub-office levels, Implementing Partners and Government stakeholders on the Gender Transformative Approach to GBV prevention and response, in collaboration with technical service providers. Support the development of training and IEC materials in line with international best practices, including field testing.
• Advise and report on the achievement of GBVPR programme results, and proactively measure substantive progress and the effective utilization of financial and human project resources, using timely and appropriate monitoring and measuring mechanisms and tools.
• Incorporate results from programme reviews and evaluations, best practices, as well as innovative strategies, approaches and policies into the formulation of interventions in ongoing programme activities.
• Assist in writing proposals as well as donor reports and engaging in resource mobilization efforts, including garnering support for UNFPA’s GBV response to the emergencies.

b) Partnerships and Coordination

• Build and maintain strong networks and engagement with key government partners including the sectors of Gender, Women, Children, Health and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate closer working and collaboration on the GBVPR programme.
• Provide technical support in implementing the multi-sectoral GBV prevention and response programme to include referral and reporting mechanisms, information sharing, coordination, and monitoring/evaluation.
• Ensure the coordination and integration between all components of the Gender Based Violence Prevention and Response Programme and other programmes, in particular the integration between GBV, Gender, and harmful practices programming.
• Organise and coordinate GBVPR oversight meetings and mechanisms, including the Project Steering Committee and oversight mechanisms at Provincial and Local Government levels, ensuring that action points are captured and recommendations implemented within agreed timelines.
• Participate in relevant Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) and GBV planning and programming forums as necessary, including inter-agency and development partner forums.
• Facilitate partnerships across women’s groups, IDP groups, men’s and youth groups to increase knowledge and awareness of GBV, and Gender to support increased leadership and participation in community decision-making.
• Participate actively and lead relevant Joint UN Teams, ensure alignment of GBV programmes with relevant joint programming initiatives, support and contribute to all relevant joint programmes/activities among the UN agencies.

c) Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Analyse and report on program and project progress in terms of achieving results, using existing monitoring and evaluation tools and introducing new mechanisms and systems; identify constraints and resource deficiencies, and recommend corrective action. Ensure all M&E system reporting is done on time and to the expected quality.

• Supervise preparation by implementing partners of annual and other periodic work plans and monitors and evaluates progress according to the Project monitoring plan, including contracts with UNFPA partners towards projected program results; and document and apply lessons learnt to close the gaps.
• Organize monthly and quarterly review meetings with UNFPA implementing partners at the provincial, and local government levels (including field missions) to track progress, identify any challenges and implement recommended solutions.
• Monitor project expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with approved project budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels, and coordinate timely delivery of quality project and financial reporting and ensure adequacy with finance and activities.
• Undertake regular monitoring missions and meetings with relevant actors including project partners in assessing the GBV trends, and patterns and advise on the prevention and response strategies.
• Perform other duties as required.

d) Management responsibilities:

Supervise, mentor, and coach the team members to strengthen or further develop their capacity. This includes the implementation of the UNFPA performance management system for his/her direct reports.

• Ensure full awareness and adherence to all organizational policies (travel, vehicle, procurement, human resources, etc).
• Liaise with the Operations Manager, the GBV Prevention and Response Team Leader, Representative, Deputy Representative, and Assistant Representative, and relevant programme units in the UNFPA Country Office in Maputo to strengthen Country Office support to field-based office and staff.
• Interact with the UN and partners to ensure effective coordination of provincial stakeholders and smooth implementation of the GBV interventions.
• Coordinate with implementing partners the management and mitigation of risk across the programme at the Provincial and Local government levels, escalating key risks as necessary.
• Ensure that regular team meetings take place and are recorded, with recommendations and actions taken forward for implementation.
• Supervise and direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task teams.
• Support reportees to develop Performance Appraisal and Development plans and provide regular feedback and support to facilitate the professional development of staff, and ensure their safety and well-being.

e) Other

• Perform any other duties as required by the Representative, Deputy Representative, and supervisor.

Support UNFPA’s implementation, reporting, and coordination of emergency-related GBV prevention and response programming, including inter-agency cluster engagement as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Women’s or Gender Studies, Social Work, Development Studies or other social sciences or public/community health, as it relates to gender and GBV.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 5 years of increasingly responsible relevant professional experience in programme and project management, including large multi-sectoral projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners;
• Strong English speaking, oral and writing skills, including proposal development and report writing for complex programmes and interventions;
• Knowledge of gender issues in development, particularly GBV prevention, response and referral pathways, including relevant international human rights standards;
• Understanding of male engagement and behavior change approaches including familiarity with SASA! strongly preferred;
• Experience in utilizing the following international tools and systems: GBV Standard Operating Procedures; GBV Information Management System; IASC GBV Guidelines; IASC Gender Handbook; GBV Minimum Standards; GBV Coordination Handbook; WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies; the global Essential Services Package for Women and Girls;
• Demonstrated management and oversight experience with capacity to lead diverse teams, strongly preferred.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Portuguese.

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity;
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system;
• Embracing cultural diversity;
• Embracing change.

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results;
• Being accountable;
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen;
• Thinking analytically and strategically;
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships;
• Communicating for impact.

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda.
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships.
• Delivering results-based programmes.
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus.
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders.
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance.
• Making decisions and exercising judgement.

UNFPA work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus , health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm.

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.