UNIFEM | Project Manager

Post:Project Manager
Location:Occupied Palestinian Territory
Application Deadline:9 November 2010
Type of Contract:Service Contract
Level:SB4- SC8
Languages Required:Arabic    English
Starting Date:November  15, 2010
Duration of Initial Contract:15 November 2010 - 14 November 2011
Expected Duration of Assignment:12 Months
 

Background
UNIFEM oPt (now part of UN women) has been engaged on the economic front since the inception of its “SABAYA Programme” where economic security is considered an essential area of intervention to ensure linkages between meeting immediate needs and setting the ground for longer term development objectives. UNIFEM oPt capitalizes on 'SABAYA model” as its key economic approach. Currently UNIFEM oPt is engaged in three programmes that tackle women’s economic and social empowerment:
Establishment, Rehabilitation and Activation of eight women centers in Gaza Strip and West Bank
This project builds on UNIFEM’s previous experience in the Sabaya Programme and adopts the same model. This project is part of a programme aimed to cover new geographical locations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and build a physical place for eight women community-based centers (CBOs) in marginalized areas. The importance of this project lies in the fact that the women CBOs will provide women in remote areas with a wide range of services that are hard to reach such as: legal aid, psycho-social help, educational services, vocational trainings, etc., and thus contributing to meeting women’s needs and achieving social and economic security.
HSTF (Human Security Trust Fund) Programme in the Jordan Valley

The United Nations regard the Jordan Valley (JV) as a Key priority area of intervention. Together with three other implementing UN agencies (UNRWA, FAO and UNESCO), UNIFEM embarked on a new joint initiative targeting vulnerable rural and refugee communities in the Jordan Valley. The programme will directly benefit approximately 13,000 individuals (21.4% of the total JV population) of the JV threatened communities of: Jericho, Duyuk, Nweimeh, Auja, Marj Najjeh, Jiftlik, Bardalah and Kardalah through a comprehensive approach aiming at realizing an efficient and effective model of sustainability and financial stability; while at the same time providing income-generating opportunities for poor and marginalized women in the areas of food security/agriculture and in the sphere of cultural heritage promotion/ tourism.

Women-run school canteens programme
A  three-year programme that aims at enhancing the partnership with the MoEHE and supporting its goal in the oPt to improve school health and nutrition, by involving and supporting women’s centers and women’s CBOs in the running of school canteens.  Through this programme, the capacities of women’s centers and CBOs will be enhanced to enable them to run school canteens and related income generating initiatives as sustainable economic enterprises. UNIFEM is currently in the second year of implementation of this programme.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Coordinator will be undertaking the following tasks under the direct supervision of UNIFEM Head of Office:
-Implement UNIFEM activities in the above-mentioned programs as per the project document and project workplans.
-Work closely and in a team spirit, with project field staff, project assistants and all UN agencies joint Programme staff (mainly under the HSTF joint programme) to ensure coherence of effort, accountability, timely, and where relevant, joint implementation of Programme implementation;
-Collect data regularly , according to the M&E Framework, for the project progress reports and for all necessary reporting requirements as well as for the general monitoring of the project implementation
-Track, monitor and evaluate projects’ results and ensure documentation
-Prepare periodic progress and donor reports, as per UNIFEM and donor requirements.
-Support the monitoring of projects financial performance for all resources by providing necessary financial information and analysis. Detect potential over-under expenditure problems and suggest remedial action
-Assist Programme Manager  in updating budget revision/ re-phase in accordance with UNIFEM Arab States Program;
-Follow-up closely and on a daily basis on project implementation and ensure quick identification of delays and bottlenecks and propose means for solving these;
-Organize regular meetings with project partners;
-Facilitate the flow of information between all stakeholders;
-Assist in the monitoring and supervision of staff and contractors in assigned Programs, in close coordination with UNIFEM-oPt Head of Office;
-In close cooperation with the OPT Programme Coordinator, ensure proper procurement planning, timely initiation and execution  of transparent  and efficient  procurement activities.
-Contribute to identifying consultants, writing terms of reference and briefing and debriefing them.
-Prepare proper documentation for contracting partners under the Programmes
-Ensure the implementation of work plans of staff and contractors working under the three programs , coordinating their work and ensuring proper flow of information among them for the efficient implementation of UNIFEM programme components; 
-Participate in regular coordination meetings with the UNIFEM Project staff and attend UNIFEM office staff meetings as required;  
-Ensure UNIFEM visibility within the women economic empowerment Programmes;
-Identify needs for further funding related to the areas of the women economic empowerment and assist in the preparation of fundraising plans; and
-Perform other duties as required.

Competencies
1-Experience in project/program coordination
2-Financial and administrative competence
3-Knowledgeable of the local political, social and economic context
4-Strong motivation for working with women and previous work on gender issues within the Palestinian context an asset
5-Good communication skills
6-Fluency in English and Arabic languages
7-Ability to write clearly and concisely
8-Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
9-Ability to work independently and contribute to a team
10-Knowledge and understanding of the international development organizations; experience in working with UN agencies an asset

Required Skills and Experience
Education: 
-First university degree education or above

Work Experience:
-At least 6 years of work experience in project/program management, including financial and logistics management, as well as planning, reporting and monitoring experience
-Working knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Palestinian context
-Effective management of multiple tasks and deadlines
-Applied communication skills
-Experience in working independently and as part of a team
-Good knowledge of UN policies and procedures; previous working experience with UNIFEM an asset
-Experience in external relationships management an asset

Language Requirements:
-Fluency (both written and verbal) in Arabic and English
-Good writing skills

Interested candidates meeting the requirements can send their CV to UNIFEM Office in Jerusalem by e-mail: [email protected] or by fax # 026280661, indicating the post title in the subject and no later than 9 November 2010.