National Focal Point at Ministry of Social Affairs

Location :Ramallah, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
Application Deadline :05-Oct-11
Type of Contract :Individual Contract
Post Level : Local Consultant
Languages Required :Arabic,English 
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    15-Oct-2011
Duration of Initial Contract :6 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :6 months
For Application: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=25944

Background:
Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) will work 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. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
 
UN WOMEN oPt implements since 2008, in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), a three-year project funded by the Government of Italy and aimed to support and strengthen the activity of Mehwar Center, a pilot, national, multipurpose center intending to address the phenomenon of gender based violence in a holistic way. Mehwar Center's ultimate goal is to set professional, human rights-based standards for protection policies and services addressing women and children victims of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory.
 
Based on the Terms of Reference developed by UN WOMEN and endorsed by MoSA, and the vision of UN WOMEN, and in line with MoSA policies and procedures regarding women's protection, the National Focal Point at the Ministry of Social Affairs for the Mehwar project will be seconded to MoSA for the purpose of liaising with the UN WOMEN project team.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of UN WOMEN oPt Head of Office, in liaison with the UN WOMEN Project Manager for Mehwar Project and under the direct supervision of MoSA, according to the Terms of Reference developed by UN WOMEN and endorsed by MoSA, the National Focal Point will be

Responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
-Coordinate, facilitate and monitor, on behalf of MoSA, the implementation of Mehwar project activities, as per agreed upon action plans, while ensuring continuative and effective partnership between UN WOMEN and MoSA;
-Ensure, on behalf of MoSA, high-quality, results-oriented reporting on the project, for internal and external audiences;
-Act as the Secretariat of the Consultative Committee established by MoSA to support Mehwar project at policy level, taking care of setting timing and agenda, and of drafting and circulating minutes of meetings of the Committee's meetings in coordination with UN WOMEN, MoSA and Mehwar Center Director;
-Facilitate discussion among MoSA staff on protection services and policies for women victims of violence to reach unified knowledge and enhance understanding of the issue;
-Liaise and ensure flow of communication between MoSA and Mehwar Center on project-related matters;
-Liaise and ensure flow of communication between UN WOMEN and MoSA regarding Mehwar project-related matters;
-Work in close coordination and cooperation with UN WOMEN project team, with MoSA Director General for Family and Child Affairs, and with Mehwar Centre Director.
-Use personal judgment and initiative to develop effective and constructive solutions to challenges and obstacles in daily project activities;
-Travel to Jordan may be required.

Competencies
CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
-Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
-Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
-Ethics and Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
-Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
-Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring: Initiative-taking; coaching and mentoring ability;
-Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
-Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
-Self-management and Emotional intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control;
-Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict;
-Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of other.
-Ability to work as part of a team, in partnership, and to perform independently;
-Personal commitment, result oriented, and capacity to work effectively and under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
-BA in Social Sciences, Law or development-related fields.

Experience:
-2-3 years working experience in the areas of project coordination /liaison /public relation in projects related to psycho-social and educational themes.
-Demonstrated knowledge of gender and human rights concepts; specific experience in VAW-related projects and/or services for the protection of women from violence is an asset.
-Understanding of national institutional frameworks is an asset.
-Understanding of project management frameworks and of basic project administration.

Language Requirement:
Excellent communication skills, oral and written, both in English and in Arabic.

UN Women will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
 
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