Uganda: Programme Specialist: Women, Peace and Security

Mar 6, 2023 | United Nations Women
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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.

Uganda was the second country in Africa to launch a National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) in 2008. In 2011, Uganda launched her second NAP, a five-year Plan that expired in December 2015. Uganda carried out a highly inclusive process for the development of a third NAP 2021-2025 (NAPIII) that was launched by President Museveni on March 8th, 2021. The overall goal of NAP III is to ensure sustained peace and security through enhanced meaningful participation of women in peace and development processes.

Uganda is fully committed to national, regional and global frameworks that protect the rights of women and girls and has ratified several international protocols and frameworks to promote the participation of women in peace processes (including on conflict prevention and peacebuilding; eradication of sexual and gender-based violence; and ending impunity).  Despite these laws and policies, gaps still exist in implementation and women are often excluded conflict prevention processes.

In recent time, Uganda recorded major milestones with the localization of NAPs at the district level. A total of 6 districts developed Local Action Plans (LAPs) with 3 out of the 6 districts committing 1% of their FY 2021/2022 district budget towards the implementation of the LAPs. Localization of LAPs has been identified as a best practice globally and UN Women will continue to strengthen coordination and collaboration between Government of Uganda and other state and non-state actors on implementation of the WPS agenda. Consequently, a Programme Specialist is being recruited to spearhead implementation of the next phase of its WPS programme in Uganda. This role will advance women participation in enhancing social cohesion and reducing interethnic conflicts; participation of women in reducing violent extremism; participation of women (including young women) in preventing and mitigating natural and human made disasters; and strengthening systems and structures for the implementation and coordination of the NAP III.

Reporting to the Deputy Representative and Head of Programmes, the Programme Specialist exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under his/her portfolio.  She/he works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women HQ staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation under portfolio. As Team Lead for the Women’s Peace & Security and Gender in Humanitarian Action (WPS-GiHA) programmes, the Programme Specialist also provides guidance, technical, oversight and strategic support for the effective team management of the WPS-GiHA Team, particularly in, but not limited to intergovernmental processes, the UN System, Implementing Partners and UN Women personnel working at national and sub national levels on issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment in peace, security, disaster risk reduction/preparedness, emergency response and recovery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions:

Design and develop programme strategies in the area of women, peace and security:

  • Design and formulate programme/ project proposals and initiatives, in close cooperation with relevant government counterparts and civil society partners;
  • Undertake ongoing research and analysis to inform refinement of programme strategies;
  • Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to women, peace and security.
  • Manage the implementation and management of the women, peace and security programme:
  • Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
  • Manage the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams;
  • Manage the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
  • Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;
  • Organize Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed.

Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners:

  • Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance. Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives
  • Build and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the women, peace and security programme; respond to any potential problems;
  • Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners.

Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme/project:

  • Manage the monitoring of programme/ project implementation and finances using results-based management tools;
  • Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions;
  • Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
  • Contribute to office donor and UN Women reports.

Manage the people and financial resources of the women, peace and security programme and provide oversight for the WPS-GiHA Unit:

  • Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
  • Supervise the Women, Peace and security and humanitarian team; Mentor and coach staff and conduct performance assessments;
  • Ensure effective Team-Leadership and overall direction and management of the WPS-GiHA portfolio and provide cross-cutting advice on coherence with other programmes;
  • Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary.
  • Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies including for the WPS-GiHA Unit:
  • Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
  • Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization;
  • Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

Contribute to inter-agency coordination (of state and non-state actors) on women, peace and security and Humanitarian Action, to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in Uganda:

  • Provide technical support to the Representative and Deputy Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending relevant meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees as needed;
  • Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs and provide oversight to the GiHA lead to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.

Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts:

  • Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the women, peace and security;
  • Participate and engage with UN Women’s global Community of Practice on women, peace and security to share lessons learned and good practices to other regions;
  • Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to women, peace and security as necessary;
  • Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation;
  • Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
  • Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on women, peace and security.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Timely and quality programme design and inputs to Strategic Note
  • 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
  • Regular communication with other agencies and partners
  • Quality of advocacy and communication initiatives

Competencies

Core Values:

  • Respect for Diversity
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism

Core Competencies:

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and  Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
  • Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
  • Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
  • Strong knowledge of women, peace and security 
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies

Required Skills and Experience 

Education and Certification:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent 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 development projects;
  • Technical experience in women, peace and security
  • 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

  • Fluency in English required;
  • Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset;
  • Knowledge of Uganda and the Great Lakes region is an asset.

Note:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc

UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If an applicant needs any reasonable accommodation to support their participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in their application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)