Project Officer (Women, Peace and Security) Full-Time

Background

UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security recognizes the importance of women’s contributions to conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. It seeks to ensure that the inclusion of women is valued and that their contributions are appreciated in peace processes and conflict management.

This resolution is essential to leverage strategic actions for equitable and sustainable interventions in peacebuilding processes through the involvement of women and girls. Since the adoption of the resolution 1325 in October 2000, member states have committed themselves to the development of National Action Plans for its implementation. With the support of UN Women, the Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action, developed the National Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security (PNAMPS 2018-2022) to fulfill the country’s commitment to implement the Resolution 1325 and related resolutions.

Based on international experiences, PNAMPS was formulated around three strategic areas: (1) integrated response to violence against women and girls; (2) promotion of women’s economic empowerment; (3) and promotion of and strengthening of environments conducive to the effective implementation of global commitments on women, peace and security at national level. This approach responds to a strong perception that in Mozambique, as in any part of the world, conflicts exacerbate violence against women and girls and their insecurity. They also destroy women´s livelihoods, weaken prospects for economic empowerment and reinforce exclusion women in decision-making processes because of their low representation on formal conflict resolution platforms.

In collaboration with the UN Women and with the support from the Governments of Iceland and Norway, the MGCAS developed project to implement the PNAMPS. The project entitled “Promoting the Effective Participation of Women and Girls in Peace, Security and Recovery in Mozambique” is based on four interrelated pillars: (i) strengthening security for women and providing integrated multi-sectoral response services to victims of violence; (ii) promoting and facilitating the economic recovery of women; (iii) strengthening the capacity of women and women’s organizations to participate in conflict prevention and resolution, particularly at the community level; and (iv) strengthening institutional capacity to coordinate, monitor and ensure accountability for women’s peace and security.

The MGCAS is the coordinating institution of this project. MGCAS also counts on the support of other actors: UN Women, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and civil society organizations working in the area of women, peace and security.

With the MGCAS as the coordinating institution, the implementation of the project involves other actors including the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and civil society organizations working in the area of women, peace and security.

Under the general guidance and supervision of the MGCAS´ Gender Division, the Project Officer will coordinate the implementation of interventions on women, peace and security.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Leading the implementation of the project;
• Monitoring e evaluation;
• Leading activities and office coordination; and
• Other supportive functions/duties.

Project implemantation

• Lead the effective, efficient and rapid implementation of project activities on the basis of the annual work plan (agreed between UN Women and MGCAS) in order to best achieve project results;
• Regular follow-up with partners: UN Women, MINEC, MDN, MINT, MISAU and civil society groups involved in the implementation of project activities, including review of results;
• Lead the organization of all project events, including training, conferences, etc.;
• Ensure an effective flow of information, communication and coordination with and between the MGCAS and UN Women and the implementing partners and project stakeholders;
• Maintain regular communication and provide technical and logistical support to initiatives related to women, peace and security conducted by implementing partners, including women’s groups;
• Provide guidance and support to project implementation partners in carrying out specific activities within scope of the project;
• Organize and secretariat all meetings related to the project including taking meeting minutes and monitor the implementation of follow-up actions;
• Document project implementation, elaborate project reports, and closely follow up on project implementation; and
• Be responsible for external and internal communication on the project.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Prepare quarterly progress reports for UN Women and contribute to the preparation of the Annual and Final Report of the Project;
• Regularly monitor the implementation of project activities, conduct field visits and maintain close communication with project beneficiaries, consultants and service providers;
• Maintain records and file all documents related to the planning and implementation of the project in accordance with UN Women standards;

Coordination activities

• Ensure ongoing collaboration and coordination with the UN Women Program Officer (Women, Peace and Security) on the implementation of activities;
• Contribute to the documentation of project findings and activities and lessons learned;
• Ensure continuous coordination, guidance and supervision with project implementation partners, including civil society organizations;
• Participate in the meetings of the Working Group on Women, Peace and Security coordinated and chaired by the MGCAS, to prepare minutes and meeting preparation documents;
• Lead the MCGAS team / office designated by the project in organizing key key advocacy / awareness events.

Other support functions

• Contributing to various tasks, such as the organization of seminars and conferences;
• Comply with the filing system in the office and guarantee documentation according to the rules and guidelines of MCGAS and UN Women.

Fundamental values/ Guiding principles

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work;
• Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Ethics and Values: Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative;
• Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication;
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others;
• Conflict Management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution;
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge;
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making

Functional competencies

• Development/programming skills particularly those that are pertinent to UN Women strategic priorities on gender issues and women’s rights;
• Ability to support formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Knowledge of Results Based Management principles and approaches;
• Ability to maintain networks and partnerships with UN agencies and other international partners to promote partnership and build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies;
• Demonstrated good oral and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset;
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments;
• Initiative and strong leadership skills;
• Result and client-orientations;
• Willingness to travel as appropriate.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Degree in Studies on Human Rights, Gender and Development, Law, International Relations, Public Administration, or equivalent in relevant areas of Social Sciences.

Experience

• Inimum of 3 years relevant experience in the implementation of projects related to women, peace and security, such as those focused on gender violence against women and girls;
• Proven Experience in organizing multi-stakeholder meetings and in coordination with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, civil society and non-governmental organizations, women’s groups and local communities;
• Experience in the preparation of reference documents, agenda and discussion points for such meetings;
• Good knowledge of policies, programs and instruments to promote gender equality in Mozambique; and
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare analytical documents and succinct summaries in Portuguese

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Portuguese (written and spoken) is required. Knowledge of English is an asset.