Project Officer, Women Count at UNDP

From a gender perspective, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a significant step forward from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), covering for the first time core areas of the feminist agenda. The Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), created under the auspices of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), has identified a robust set of 231 unique indicators to monitor progress in achieving the SDGs. Overall, a quarter of these indicators explicitly or implicitly address gender equality.  The challenges of effectively monitoring the SDGs from a gender perspective cannot be overstated.. Lack of statistics in these areas arises both from a failure to prioritize gender equality in data collection and from a lack of resources. Gender statistics are rarely prioritized in data collection and the resources devoted to them, both at the national and international level, remain grossly inadequate. The demand for greater support for statistics will only increase as countries begin to implement the SDGs.

To support member states in implementing the 2030 Agenda, UN Women’s Flagship Program Initiative Making Every Woman and Girl Count (MEWGC) aims to undertake a radical shift in the production, availability, accessibility and use of quality data and statistics on key aspects of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The program is currently in its phase 2 (2002 -2025) and it   has three objectives: (i) Promoting an enabling environment by putting in place a supportive and well-coordinated policy environment to ensure gender-responsive localization and effective monitoring of the SDGs; (ii) Increasing data production by removing technical barriers and constraints to ensure that quality, comparable and regular gender statistics are produced to monitor the implementation of national policies and meet reporting commitments under the SDGs; and (iii) Improving data accessibility by ensuring that the data produced are widely available and used effectively by different players with sufficient capacities to understand, analyze and use them to inform advocacy, research, policies and programs and to monitor progress on the SDGs.

In Cameroon, Making Every Woman and Girl Count (MEWGC) is an initiative meant to strengthen the capacity of the Government and Non-State Actors to produce and use gender statistics in order to inform and monitor the implementation of Cameroon’s gender-related commitments in the 2030 Agenda.

In 2018, UN Women conducted a National Assessment on gender statistics in Cameroon. The assessment highlighted important challenges faced by the NSS concerning the production and use of gender statistics despite an evident importance for the national context. Based on that, from 2019 to 2021 UN Women implemented the Women Count project in the country by addressing many of these challenges related to the enabling environment for gender statistics, data production, data dissemination and use. This has allowed UN Women to position itself as a key partner of the NSS and for the achievement of SDGs in Cameroon.

However, despite the great progress of the past 3 years, some challenges still persist: (i) unsustainable policy space and financial environment; (ii) Technical challenges limiting the production of gender statistics (Poor qualification of national statisticians on gender mainstreaming and analysis); (iii) Critical challenge to convert gender data into policies or use it for advocacy, research policy and informed decision making; (iv) Important data gaps in key thematic areas. In order to address these Challenges and consolidate the achievements of Women Count I, the Country Office is currently implementing the second phase of the project (Women Count 2).

Women Count 2 focuses on the following (i): Sustain the existing enabling environment for gender statistics by reinforcing the supportive policy environment addressing institutional and financial constraints to implement gender commitments of the 2020-2030 NSDS. (ii) Pursue efforts to improve the regular production of relevant gender statistics in order to narrow the gender data gap for SDGs indicators and mostly in areas such as Violence Against Women, Environment and climate change . (iii) Improving the utilization of existing gender data and statistics for development, monitoring and improvement of public policies, researches, communication and planning.

Priority will be given to the four development results of UNWOMEN (Women Economic Empowerment, VAW, Governance, Women – Peace – Security/Humanitarian)   for data production to narrow the existing gender gap. Also, administrative data will be valorized and improved in a gender perspective

During this second phase, UN Women continues working with its  partners including government, National Statistical System (NSS) and INS, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Family, UN Agencies and other actors including civil society organizations and academia.

To fully support the implementation of the Cameroon Women Count Phase 2 project, UN Women is recruiting a project officer. The project officer will report to the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.  S/he will closely work with WCARO Regional Programme Specialist on Gender Statistics and the Women Count team in UN Women HQ. S/he will ensure an efficient and sustainable collaboration with Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the project in Cameroon.

While ensuring a proper coverage of gender sensitive SDGs related to UNWOMEN intervention field, the project manager will also support the production and management of data in country office.

Reporting to the Resident Representative,  She/he will exercise overall responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and reporting of the Women Count project in Cameroon while also contributing to the planning, monitoring and reporting mechanism of the UNWOMEN country portfolio linked to its country Strategic Note in Cameroon

• Provide technical expertise in mainstreaming Gender in Statistics.
• Design and formulate program/ project proposals and initiatives;
• Draft inputs to country strategic documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to Gender Statistics.

2. Coordinate the implementation of the Making Every Woman and Girl Count (MEWGC) project:

• Develop and review Women Count II management documents including Partner Agreement (PA) and/or Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with implementing partners in a timely manner;
• Adapt (if necessary) project Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and manage their implementation in compliance with approved project documents and budgets;
• Organize Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed;
• Manage and review the project proposed activities, results and budget ensuring consistency with the Project Document and the objectives of the Women Count global programme;
• Manage the technical implementation of the project ensuring synergies with other teams;
• Oversee and review the budget and proposed activities as needed ensuring consistency with the objectives of the Women Count programme and in compliance with agreed timelines;
• Develop procurement plans and oversee procurement processes in accordance with corporate rules and regulations;
• Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators.

3. Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/program partners:

• Ensure that the implementation of the Women Count project follows strict quality standards, as established under the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the Principles Governing International Statistical Activities;
• Identify capacity development needs of partners and provide technical assistance, advisory support, and capacity development to partners on Gender Statistics, including strategic direction and positioning of gender statistics in national policies, plans and strategies;
• Produce and disseminate guidance notes, tools and methodologies on gender statistics and provide technical inputs to statistical surveys /products developed by partners;
• Develop and manage the partnerships needed to implement Women Count II in Cameroon, including with governments, donors, international agencies, civil society and philanthropic organizations and the private sector;
• Strengthen UN Women’s partnerships with key regional and national stakeholders, including NSS, UN agencies, civil society organizations and other data collecting organizations in the country in order to present a wide range of relevant data on gender equality and women’s rights to contribute to the regional and thematic monitoring of SDGs;

4. Monitoring and reporting of the project and support data production and management in country office:

• Monitor and communicate progress towards achievement of project results, including regular collection of data and information about the impact of the Women Count programme at national level;
• Produce timely reports and contribute to the Women Count donor quarterly and  annual reports and other UN Women reports as needed;
• Manage monitoring of project implementation and related finances (project delivery) using results-based management tools (RMS, Quantum, etc.);
• Liaise with implementing partners for the submission of financial and narrative reports;
• Support indicators tracking and reporting on country’s office activities.
• Support the M&E officer when needed on implementing the CO M&E mechanism: planning, monitoring and reporting linked to the Strategic note implementation.

5. Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

• Develop and manage the partnerships needed to implement MEWGC phase II in Cameroon, including with governments, donors, international agencies, civil society and philanthropic organizations and the private sector;
• Strengthen UN Women’s partnerships with key regional and national stakeholders, including NIS, UN agencies, civil society organizations and other data collecting organizations in the country in order to present a wide range of relevant data on gender equality and women’s rights to contribute to the regional and thematic monitoring of SDGs, other publications and other associated communications materials;
• Participate and/or represent UN Women in regional inter-agency statistical forums;
• 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.

6. Contribute to inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for Gender Statistics in Cameroon:

• Provide technical inputs to technical inter-agency discussions related to SDGs indicators and monitoring in the region;
• Ensure effective and efficient participation of the CO in the relevant UNCT thematics and UNSDCF result groups
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development program is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts;
• Participate and/or represent UN Women in national inter-agency statistical forums.
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development program is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts

7. Manage advocacy, knowledge management and communication efforts:

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the Gender Statistics in the CO;
• Monitor and communicate use of gender statistics for  policy making, strategy development, advocacy, etc..
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Gender Statistics as necessary;
• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation;
• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned to guide project improvement and strategy planning;
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on Gender Statistics;
• Support knowledge management’s efforts on CO’s activities.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely and quality implementation of activities against set workplans, timelines, and budgets,in line with the Strategic Note
• Strong relations with partners and stakeholders
• Regular and timely monitoring of activities
• Enhanced best practices and lessons learned documented and circulated
• Timely and quality support to the programme team and partners in line with work plan
• Quality and timely systems for tracking/monitoring
• Timely submission of accurate and quality reports

• 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

• Excellent program formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills;
• Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management;
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making;
• Excellent technical knowledge of Gender Statistics;
• Strong analytical and reporting skills;
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies..

Master’s degree or equivalent in statistics,  demography or equivalent

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;
• At least 5 years professional experience in gender, women’s rights, economic and social development issues;

• Work experience on SDGs indicators tracking and reporting ;
• An excellent Mastery of the Cameroonian National Statistical System.
• Experience in producing high quality research or policy papers on gender and or gender data at national level and international levels;
• Technical experience in Gender Statistics is an added advantage;
• Good experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset
• Experience in leading/managing a technical team (including on the field).
• Good mastery of statistical software (Excel, SPSS,STATA, etc)

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in speaking and strong writing skills in English and French are required;
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset;

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.