UN Women Project Assistant

Job ID/Title : UN Women Project Assistant
Category :Other
Brand :UNWOMEN
Post Level :SB3/1
Application Deadline :  08-May-12
Duty Station :Gaza
Type of Contract :Service Contract
Post Number : (for 100 Series Contracts) SB2/3
Languages Required : Arabic, English,

Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)   
Duration of Initial Contract : 9 months

Expected Duration of Assignment :   9 months


Background:
Following the approval of UN Women’s first Strategic Plan (2011-2013) in June 2011, the UN Women in the Gaza Strip had worked to develop the Gaza Programme Proposal (2012-2014). The UN-Women’s proposed programme in Gaza reflects the challenges of dealing with gender inequalities in a poverty and conflict-stricken area and context of internal political instability where gender disparities and disadvantages have been considerably more pronounced over the past years.  It also takes into account women’s priorities and needs within a context of fragmentation, aid dependency, increasing development challenges and greater gender inequalities. The programme builds on the experience of the UN-Women, UN agencies, and its partners in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), as well as lessons learnt through research, programme implementation and evaluations. The programme expected outcomes are fully aligned with the goals and underlying principles of the UN-Women Strategic Framework 2011-2013 and the workplan 2011-2013 for the oPt.
UNSCR 1325 call for equal and active representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts. Palestinian women in Gaza have been voiceless with not a single woman from Gaza participating in peace talks or in the internal reconciliation committees thus leaving no space to integrate women’s concerns and priorities in achieving a Palestinian statehood.  Taking into consideration the latest positive trends in the concurrent efforts at domestic reconciliation among political factions, as well as increasingly successful advocacy at the international level for recognition of an independent Palestinian state, including the recent submission for full membership in the United Nations; and, capitalizing on previous complementary efforts; UN Women oPt will organize a “Women and Palestinian Statehood Event” in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
In this context, UN Women wishes to bring on board a “Project Assistant” to support the UN Women office in Gaza with assistance in project implementation  with a special support  to the organization of the “Women and Palestinian Statehood Event” in the Gaza Strip .

Description of Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of UN WOMEN oPt Head of Office and the direct supervision of the UN WOMEN Programme Analyst, UN WOMEN wishes to bring on board a Project Assistant, who will undertake the following duties and responsibilities :

Main tasks, duties and responsibilities:
- Meet on a regular basis with supervisor and office team to provide project updates and share relevant information;
- Assist in the preparation of projects progress reports;
- Draft official correspondence related to the project activities;
- Assist in the development of project work plans;
- Monitor project budget in terms of expenditures according to the work plan;
- Prepare documentation for discussions and briefing sessions;
- Maintain project filing;
- Prepare minutes of meetings;
- Collect, register and maintain information on project activities by reviewing reports and
- through first hand sources;
- Make appointments with project stakeholders, including logistical arrangements; visit organizations and conduct field visits as necessary, in consultation with direct supervisor;
- Participate to field visits, as necessary;
- Provide administrative and logistic support to the office;
- Establish and maintain the project follow-up system, for actions and deadlines;
- Assist in arranging programs for in-coming and outgoing official missions;
- Provide secretarial assistance;
- Follow up with the implementing partners and contractors for progress report, submission of reports and recent project data;
- Collect data from the implementing agencies and obtain information material;
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies :
Corporate Competencies
-Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
-Promotes the vision and mission of UN WOMEN
-Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies
-Demonstrated strong, coordination and facilitation skills;
-Strong communication skills in Arabic and English (oral and written);
-Strong team player and work well under pressure;
-Results oriented, flexible and has problem solving skills.
-Knowledge of the Palestinian women’s movement a plus;

Qualifications :
Education
-High school degree in project Management, Social Science, development Fields or any other related fields.

Experience
-2-3 years of relevant professional experience
-Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic
-Proven computing skills (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet applications)
-Very good organizational skills
-Previous experience in the UN system is considered an asset.

Skills
The incumbent needs to be:
-Flexible to deal with a wide spectrum of tasks the job entails
-Able to exercise sound judgment and discretion
-Reliable and well-organized
-Good communicator
-Able to work in an international environment
-Able to work under pressure and to timely deliver

Languages:
Very good  knowledge of English language. Working knowledge of Hebrew would be desirable.