Country Representative, Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH)

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.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is an upper-middle-income country in Southeastern Europe that is still grappling with the aftermath of a war that concluded in 1995 with the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA). The DPA, a document meant to stop the conflict but not to serve as an all-encompassing governance blueprint for a quarter of a century, established an extremely complex country structure with two entities (the Federation of BiH comprised of 10 cantons and 79 municipalities, Republika Srpska comprised of 66 municipalities) and Brcko District. The country aspires to become a member of the European Union (EU) yet continues to struggle with its peacebuilding process and internal efforts to establish a common development vision. As a result, political deadlock is endemic and impedes both its EU accession process and its overall development.

BiH has a population of 3.5 million people. Extensive emigration from the country has further aggravated a demographic crisis produced by forced wartime migration and low fertility rates. The demographic situation has serious implications for the sustainability of social protection systems, education, and health care. Furthermore, the economy faces numerous structural weaknesses, such as inefficient markets, low labor force participation rate, limited access to finance, insufficiently developed business clusters and value chains, unclear property rights and a cumbersome regulatory environment.

BiH has ratified or inherited a number of international commitments on gender equality but significant gender gaps remain. Women in BiH face a particularly precarious reality, they are excluded from the political and decision-making processes, they have disproportionately limited access to livelihoods and disproportionately subjected to violence. Of particular concern is the situation of Roma and other minority women who are even more severely disadvantaged and marginalized.

The Country Representative operates in a matrix management model, primarily accountable and reporting to the relevant UN Women Regional Director on UN Women -specific mandates, activities and results. Additionally, as a UNCT member, under the Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) of the UN development and resident coordinator system, the Country Representative has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator for periodically reporting on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, formerly UNDAF).The Regional Director conducts the performance review of the Country Representative whilst seeking inputs from the RC(s) on the Country Representative’s contributions as a UNCT member.

The Country Representative is responsible for leading and managing the BiH Country Office (CO) 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 BiH CO and connected with sub-regional priorities; and developing effective partnerships with Government counterparts, UN system agencies and organizations, civil society 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

1.Manage the strategic programme planning and development

Develop and implement strategic direction of UN Women in the country and sub-region;
Lead the design, planning, formulation, preparation and development of the Country Strategic Note in close consultation and collaboration with the government, civil society, donors, UN system partners and the Regional Director, Resident and/or Humanitarian Coordinator in the country and other national development stakeholders and partners, taking into account national priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF;
Provide substantive advice to the Executive Director, Regional Director and Senior Management on the sub-regional strategy in the Western Balkans, including overall political engagement as well as the direction and planning of programmes and projects;
Manage and ensure the quality of results-based and rights-based programming for the CO; Finalize work plans and budgets;
Lead the monitoring of the results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

2.Manage the BiH 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;
Ensure effective and efficient performance of the CO Operations team in the provision of operational support to other UN Women offices, as needed;
Oversee and approve programme work plans and monitor the overall progress and compliance of the BiH 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 or 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.

3.Provide support to the UN Resident Coordination and serve as a member of UN Country Team(s)

Serve as member of the assigned UN Country Teams (UNCTs) under the strategic guidance and coordination of the respective UN Resident Coordinator (RC)/Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), collaborate on and lead as needed UNCT 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(s) and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, collaboration, planning, cooperation, and harmonization of programming, advocacy, 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(s) on these issues as required
Actively engage in regular UNCT consultations and decision-making processes
Actively engage in and contribute to UNCT strategic communications that advance UN system efforts and collective results to promote Agenda 2030, including for national goals and priorities for sustainable development to generate positive public support and ownership
Ensure UN Women’s active participation in UN system thematic and other working groups to establish effective networks and keep abreast of ongoing debates and thinking on development
Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF development planning and agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ensure enhanced accountability of the UNCT(s) 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

4.Represent UN Women and lead advocacy strategies

Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums, public information/relations events and key meetings, participate in policy dialogue; discuss policy initiatives, report on progress achieved and/or present policy papers/ideas;
Build relations and partnerships with high level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies and NGOs; and participate in regional, sub-regional, country and other critical meetings and events;
Contribute to and lead, as necessary and as requested by the UN Women Regional Director, sub-regional work in/for the Western Balkans;
Lead and support advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment to ensure UN support towards realization of the national and sub-regional plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality.

5.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 governments, 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 donors; Establish reporting accountability framework to ensure that donors are duly informed on a timely basis.

6.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 of knowledge products.

7.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 Workplans
Timely and quality delivery on operational goals
Timely submission of UN Women reports, donor reports, and audit responses
Quality and level of engagement with UNCT(s), including joint planning, joint programming, joint resource mobilization, joint advocacy, working groups
UN Women is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by governments, donors and civil society
Timely development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies, resulting in sufficient resources to implement strategic work of UN Women in BiH and the sub-region.
Performance of personnel, enabling work environment, security plans are in place and up to date, office produces 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 experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation 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 in leading multi-cultural and complex teams.
Work experience in the Western Balkans will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

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