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.
Under the India/United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023-2027) and Indiaโs national priorities on gender equality and womenโs empowerment, the UN Women India Country Office (ICO) implements its triple mandate of supporting normative standard-setting to advance gender equality and womenโs empowerment; strengthening UN Coordination; and implementing programmes on womenโs economic empowerment, governance, leadership, gender-responsive budgeting and ending violence against women and girls. In partnership with the Government of India, UN Women works with a broad range of national stakeholders at the Federal and State level, including national and local authorities, civil society and private sector.ย
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.ย 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 on the Country Representativeโs contributions as a UNCT member.
The Country Representative is responsible for leading and managing the India 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 India CO; 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.
Key Functions and Accountabilities:
1.Manage the strategic country programme planning and development
Develop and implement strategic direction of the CO; Lead the design, planning, formulation, preparation and development of the Country Strategic Note in close consultation and collaborationย 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; Identify planning and programme needs, opportunities and approaches to strengthen UN Women country presence and relevance; Supporting UN Womenโs enhanced global partnership with the Government of India as a key driver of gender equality and the empowerment of women Provide strategic advice and leadership to UN Womenโs Executive Director, Regional Director and Senior Management on the regional and country direction; Manage and ensure the quality of results-based and rights-based programming for the CO; Finalize the annual work plan and budget; Lead the monitoring of the results-based management approach to programme planning and design. Engage and collaborate with senior partners in the UN System.2. Manage the India 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 the optimum and appropriate allocation and use of resources; 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 Womenโs regulations and rules, policies and procedures in the Policy, Procedures and Guidance Framework (PPG); Ensure personnel are aware in particular or of UN Womenโs 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.ย 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 Resident Coordination and serve as a member ofย UN Country Teamย
Serve as member of the UN Country Team (UNCT)ย under the strategic guidance and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC)/Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), collaborate on and lead as needed UNCT programming and advocacy to ensure gender equality and womenโs 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 anย enhanced response to national partners; Partner with RC 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 womenโs human rights; report to the UN RC 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 Womenโs 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 enhanced accountability of the UNCT on gender mainstreaming and works for with the RC and to on the implement the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Participate in RC and UNCT membersโ performance appraisal, as requested 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.ย4. 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, country and other critical meetings and events; Lead and support advocacy for gender equality and womenโs empowerment to ensure that 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.5. Create and maintain strategic partnerships and manage resource mobilization strategies
Lead and oversee 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 donors; Establish reporting accountability framework to ensure that donors are duly informed on a timely basis. Working closely with UN Women headquarters and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, facilitate enhanced corporate coordination with the Government of India in support of gender equality.6. Manage and oversee knowledge management, innovation and capacity building
Manage the development and implementation on CO communication plans, based on UN Womenโs communication strategy; Approve the 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 staff members; 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 requirementsย Ensure all personnel are made fully aware of safety and security procedures and policies and undertake mandatory training8. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
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;ย Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on themย Ability to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all Leading, developing and empowering people Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on themย 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 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 skillsRecruitment Qualifications:
Education and certification:
Masterโs degree or equivalent in international development, public administration, public policy or other relevant social science fields is required.ย 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 PMPยฎ, PRINCE2ยฎ, or MSPยฎ) would be an added advantage.Experience:
At least 15 years of progressively responsible development experienceย that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level is required. Experience in gender and womenโs issues programming, at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes or UN Mission is required. Field based experience working with multi-cultural teams is required. Experience leading and coaching staff in international settings is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).Statements :
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,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย 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 toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย 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.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.
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