Country Representative

Background

The duration of the assignment is for 364 days. Whereas an external candidate will be offered a temporary appointment, subject to release agreements, staff members in UN Women may be administered as a temporary assignment and staff members in the UN Common system may be administered under a loan arrangement.

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.

The UN Women Ethiopia Country Office (ECO) contributes to the United Nation’s shared goals in supporting the Government of Ethiopia to achieve its sustainable development and humanitarian priorities, and commitments to the 2030 Development Agenda. Four strategic priorities are identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2025 that address multidimensional poverty, inequalities, social exclusion, and marginalization, with a focus on youth, women, and girls; supporting the transition to an inclusive and diversified economy; deepening Ethiopia’s democratic transition and promoting peace; and promoting a green and resilient economy. The Country Office will focus on sustainability through enhanced ownership of interventions that align with national priorities, policies, strategies, and plans.

On 2 November 2022, the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF have reached an agreement to permanently stop the two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia, which include Permanent cessation of hostilities, Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; Civilian welfare as well as Humanitarian access. The agreement represents a hope for millions of women and girls that were adversely affected by the conflict.

The UN Women Country Representative will report to the Regional Director, RO East & Southern Africa, and is responsible for leading and managing the Ethiopia Country Office (ECO) portfolio and for translating the UN Women's Strategic Plan (SP) in line with regional and national priorities, into development initiatives and results by developing, implementing and managing programmes and projects under the Ethiopia Country Office; and developing effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN system agencies and organizations, and with bilateral and non-traditional donors in order to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN Reform, and mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage the strategic country programme planning and development

Develop and implement strategic direction of the country; esp. on peace and security/humanitarian action.
Provide regular and substantive advice/updates to the Regional Director and Senior Management on the regional strategy, direction and planning of programmes and projects, as well as on emerging issues in the country
Manage and ensure the quality of results-based and rights-based programming for the CO;
Lead the monitoring of the results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

Manage Ethiopia Country Office

Lead the office in the delivery of operational goals; Finalize the annual work plan and budget; and oversee the implementation, including providing direction, guidance and technical support;
Oversee and approve programme work plans and monitor the overall progress and compliance of the CO;
Manage the preparation of UN Women mandated country reports;
Manage the audit review process and timely response to audit reports;
Provide managerial direction, guidance and leadership. Ensure effective workforce planning and timely recruitments; Manage the performance of personnel under their supervision; provide ongoing performance and career development feedback, timely completion of performance assessments and coaching;
Ensure that personnel are familiar with and follow UN Women’s regulations and rules, policies and procedures in the Policy, Procedures and Guidance Framework (PPG); Ensure personnel are aware, in particular of UN Women’s standards of conduct including but not limited to policies and procedures on preventing, reporting and addressing misconduct, Fraud and Corruption, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and abuse of authority, Protection from retaliation, and ensure mechanisms are in place to support personnel in this regard.
Promote teamwork to ensure harmonization, linkages, collaboration and synergy; Ensure a respectful, inclusive safe and healthy work environment for personnel.

Provide support to the Resident Coordinator and serve as a member of UN Country & humanitarian Teams

Serve as member of the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) under the strategic guidance and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC)/Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), collaborate on and lead as needed UNCT/HCT programming and advocacy to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment issues are fully integrated into UN programming processes, including the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) planning, budgeting, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through UN results groups and respective joint workplans, and in an enhanced response to national partners.
Partner with RC and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, and harmonization of programming, common services, and operations; Facilitate joint programming and promote UN competencies to advance gender equality and women’s human rights; report to the UN RC on these issues as required
Actively engage in regular UNCT/HCT consultations and decision-making processes.
Actively engage in and contribute to UNCT/HCT strategic communications that advance UN system efforts and collective results to promote Agenda 2030, including national goals and priorities for sustainable development to generate positive public support and ownership.
Ensure enhanced accountability of the UNCT/HCT on gender mainstreaming and works for with the RC and on the implement the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard
Participate in RC and UNCT members’ performance appraisal, as requested.
Lead and support advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment to ensure UN support towards realization of the national plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality.

Create and maintain strategic partnerships and manage resource mobilization strategies

Lead the development of resource mobilization strategies and manage the implementation of resource mobilization strategies, plans, and efforts.
Establish and maintain relationships with government, partners, stakeholders and donors to achieve active collaboration, cooperation and alliances on programme development and implementation and resource mobilization.
Finalize donor reports, and negotiate and/or approve cost-sharing agreements with donor. Establish reporting accountability framework to ensure that donors are duly informed on a timely basis.

Lead knowledge management, innovation and capacity building

Manage the development and implementation on the CO communication plans, based on UN Women’s communication strategy.
Promote critical thinking and implementation of innovation and best practices in the CO.
Promote learning and development by providing opportunities for training and capacity guiding to enhance the competencies/productivity of personnel.
Lead the production, dissemination and uptake of knowledge products.

Oversee safety, security and well-being of personnel, programmes and organizational assets

Maintain and update CO security strategy, plan, and measures to ensure full compliance with UN security policies, procedures and requirements.
Serve as member of the Security Management Team (SMT) and undertake relevant security and crisis management training. Guide and influence decisions and standards related to security of personnel, premises and assets.
Oversee the implementation of the Security Mainstreaming & Compliance and Business Continuity Management and Organizational Resilience requirements.
Ensure all personnel are made fully aware of safety and security procedures and policies and undertake mandatory training.

Key Performance Indicators

Timely and quality development and implementation of the Country Strategic Note and Annual Workplans
Timely and quality delivery on operational goals
Timely submission of UN Women Country reports, donor reports, risk register and audit responses
Quality and level of engagement with UNCT/HCT, including joint planning joint programming, joint resource mobilization, joint advocacy, working groups etc.
UN Women is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by governments, donors and civil society
Timely development and implementation of CO resource mobilization strategy, resulting in sufficient resources to implement the Strategic Note and emerging developments
Performance of personnel, enabling work environment, security plans are in place and up to date, office produces timely and quality knowledge products

Competencies

Core values:

Integrity
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies

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

Functional Competencies

Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
Excellent people management skills in a multicultural environment; ability to deal with individuals from all backgrounds
Results-oriented; Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them
Ability to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all
Leading, developing and empowering people
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and interact with high level decision makers
Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment in country
Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking
Strong knowledge of UN system
Ability to envision and lead the strategic direction for UN Women in the country
Excellent networking skills
Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies
Excellent diplomatic and written and verbal communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

Master's degree or equivalent in development related disciplines, economics or public policy 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/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience:

At least 10 years of progressively responsible development and humanitarian experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation and humanitarian action at the international level,
Experience in gender and women’s issues programming, at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes or UN Mission;
Field based experience working with multi-cultural teams;
Experience in leading a team.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of another UN official language will be an asset.