National Project Officer - Spotlight (NPSA9)

Background
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.
The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in support of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. It was launched in September 2017 by the UN Secretary - General and the EU High Representative and Vice President (HRVP). The 500 million Euro Initiative provides a model for partnerships with donors, civil society, and the UN to deliver on the SDGs in a comprehensive manner leveraging comparative expertise. SDG 5 and the achievement of gender equality are placed at the centre of efforts (alongside Goal 16) with the aim to provide an enabling environment for the implementation of all goals. Within the UN, the Initiative will operationalize the UN development system reforms and model a new way of delivering on the SDGs in an integrated way, leveraging collaborative advantages.

The Spotlight Initiative in Papua New Guinea will be implemented through four UN agencies (UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF) with a focus on addressing intimate partner violence and domestic violence. It follows a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in PNG is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable PNG. This contributes to implementation of PNG’s National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence (2016-2025), with attention to holistic prevention and responses to violence against women and girls.

The Spotlight Initiative is built around six pillars developed after an extensive global theory of change exercise. The pillars are: 1) Laws and Policies; 2) Institutions; 3) Prevention and Social Norms; 4) Services; 5) Data; and 6) Women’s movement. UNDP will work on Pillars 1,2,3,4 and 5. Among the six Pillars of Spotlight, Pillars 1, 2 and 5 will be primarily focused on a national and provincial level, whereas Pillars 3, 4, and 6 will have a national component, but will carry out activities at a provincial and district level. The Initiative will cover all four Regions of PNG, of which 11 provinces (out of 22 nationally) have been selected for targeted multi-sectoral actions.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Assistant Resident Representative and Spotlight Project Manager, the Project Officer will provide programme support and quality assurance to ensure successful implementation of the Spotlight Initiative in PNG.
To support coordination and implementation of activities under the 5 Pillars, UNDP will contract a Project Officer to support the Project Manager and UNDP Governance Team on the day-to-day programming and implementation of the Spotlight Initiative including planning, implementation, communication and visibility and reporting including technical guidance and oversight. This will ensure that the activities specified within the programming document are carried out in such a manner as to achieve the objectives and assist other staff engaged, Recipient UN Organizations, (RUNO) and Associated Agencies to perform the roles assigned to them and to ensure quality assurance of Spotlight Initiative.
Key Functions:

Effective implementation of Spotlight Initiative for UNDP

Provide day-to day support to ensure effective implementation of the Spotlight project; and
Provide inputs to the design and formulation initiatives for implemetation;
Oversee the work of the Project Associate and ensure timely implementation of agreed work
Provide programme and financial inputs for the project; ensuring compliance with UNDP project management rules and regulations under the Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP); and
Regular reporting to the Project and UNDP Senior Management on the project implementation.

Effective coordination of activities with RUNOs, government and key partners

Coordinate the UNDP components of the overall Spotlight Initiative programme work plan development and implementation according to programme document withinUNDP and with Spotlight RUNOs,key government agencies and partners;
Gather inputs and coordinate the preparation of work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports;
Ensure project planning, implementation and monitoring, in collaboration with partners; and
Identify capacity building needs and support partners through technical assistance, mentoring and training and capacity development initiatives, as needed.

Efficient reporting on the Spotlight Initiative

Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on programmes and projects from the planning to the evaluation stages;
Monitor the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds; conduct monitoring visits, as required;
Record and maintain documents on relevant programme activities, issues, and risks for audit purposes;
Draft and provide inputs to annual and quarterly reports; coordinate the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports; and
Provide inputs from programme activities and results for reporting within UNDP and the Spotlight Secretariat.

Facilitate knowledge building and management and communication

Document the programme implementation process and products;
Identify areas for support and intervention related to the programme;
Contribute to the exchange of information and provide inputs to the development of knowledge products internally and externally of the programme; and
Coordinate the organization of advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business direction and strategy:

Strategic Thinking: Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Development:

Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Management

Project Management: Ability to plan, organise, priorities and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
artnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Gender

Sexual Gender-based violence (SGBV)

People management:

Show Managerial Courage: Face up to organizational and people problems; Not be afraid to take decision and action when and as needed; Not hold back anything that needs to be said, respectfully and diplomatically; Address conflict in a timely manner, not allow conflicts in teams linger; Help others through emotional or tense situations, tactfully bringing disagreements into the open and finding solutions all can endorse

 
Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Master's degree in gender studies, social policy, public policy or related fields; or a first-level University degree in gender studies, social policy, public policy or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years experience with Master’s degree or 4 years experience with Bachelor’s degree in gender studies, social policy, public policy or related fields
Minimum of 2 years experience in gender-based violence response and prevention, community security, peacebuilding, development or humanitarian programmes.
Experience in project or programme management, including personnel management, budgetary and financial management;
Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies, CSOs and/or donors is an asset;
Strong inter-personal skills, in particular, demonstrated team leadership qualities and excellent oral communication skills.
High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet challenging deadlines.
Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure.

Language:

Proficiency in English

Note: This position is open for Papua New Guinea nationals only