JOB: Program Management Specialist
Advertised on behalf of: UN WOMEN
Location: YAOUNDE, CAMEROON

Application Deadline: 28-Sep-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Additional Category: Gender Equality
Type of Contract: TA Local
Post Level: NO-C
Languages ​​Required:
English French
Starting Date:
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start ) 01-Jan-2024
Duration of Initial Contract: 364 Days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore undergo, rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

In Cameroon, UN Women is implementing its New Strategic Note for the period 2022-2026, aligned with UN Women Strategic Plan, UNSDCF and national priorities, which provides a national framework for UN Women’s work for the next five years, focuses on four impact areas (Governance and Participation in Public Life; Economic Empowerment and Resilience; Ending Violence Against Women and Girls; Peace and Security, Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction). It articulates how UN-Women will leverage its unique triple mandate, encompassing normative support, UN system coordination and operational activities, to mobilize urgent and sustained action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda . This Strategic Note is operationalized through Biennial work plans based implemented in all the different regions of the country and carried out by UN Women and its Partners (UN Agencies, Government, Civil Society…etc). The diversity in the portfolio combined with its rapid geographical and thematic growth requires a strong programmatic management and coordination to ensure internal coherence for wider impact.

Under the supervision of the Country Representative, the Program Management Specialist is responsible for managing the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programs for the Country Office, including providing technical support to the implementation of the Country Office programme, managing the monitoring and reporting for the Country Office, overseeing and guiding people and budget management for the program team, building partnerships and providing support in developing resource mobilization strategies, and managing knowledge building efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage the programmatic development for the Country Office, based on the Strategic Note

Provide overall program advisory support to the Office Management;
Guide the development of the Country Office programme, and provide technical support to the design and formulation of programme/project initiatives;
Review and provide feedback to project/program strategies and documents, workplans, case studies and related knowledge products and publications, as needed;
Provide technical advice on the development of systems, processes and mechanisms to support program planning, implementation, monitoring and progress reporting;
Review and evaluate proposals and oversee the preparation of donor proposals and reports;
Draft policy documents, briefs and other strategic papers/materials for the use in the development and presentation of policy and programmatic positions.
2. Provide technical support to the implementation of the Country Office program

Review program annual work plans to ensure compliance with UN Women program goals and results-based indicators;
Analyze and ensure alignment of project budgets with logical framework matrices and work plans;
Draft reports on activities, outputs and outcomes; and compile information in preparations of country office donor and UN Women reports;
Analyze and ensure alignment of project budgets with logical framework matrices and work plans;
Manage program quality control and identification of potential challenges;
Align program activities with operations team in close liaison with Operations Managers;
Build and manage relationships with national partners, as necessary.
3. Manage the monitoring and reporting for the Country Office

Recommend and establish program monitoring standards, criteria, and other indicators for measuring and assessing progress/results;
Manage the monitoring of mutually agreed results frameworks and performance indicators;
Coordinate the process of gathering information and preparing progress reports on program implementation; prepare technical reports;
Prepare program team for audits and monitor implementation of audit recommendations;
Provide training on results-based management to office staff, as necessary.

4. Oversee and guide people and budget management for the program team

Lead a team, perform staff performance reviews, ensure capacity development of staff members by suggesting development opportunities;
Monitor and analyze financial situation on the portfolios and programs to ensure adherence to delivery rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results;
Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination across the office, between programs, projects and operations, and with other UN Women offices and units.
5. Build partnerships and provide support in developing resource mobilization strategies

Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for resource mobilization and cost sharing;
Determines programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UN Women, country needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships.
6. Manage knowledge building efforts

Manage the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the program and contribute to their global dissemination.

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
Functional Competencies

Strong program formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
Strong analytical skills
Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
Good knowledge of UN program management systems

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification

Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender, international relations, international development, international law or other social science fields 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/program management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.
Experience

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, including program design, program coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building;
Experience in working in a gender related area is an asset;
Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in program development and program writing;
Experience in leading teams effectively is an asset.
Language requirements

Fluency in English and French is required.

Application:

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/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections /About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, 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 you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your 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.)

In accordance with the UN Staff Regulation 4.5 (b) A temporary appointment does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, of renewal. A temporary appointment shall not be converted to any other type of appointment. This temporary appointment is budgeted for a maximum term of 728 Days

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at:

https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=113993