Key Functions & Accountabilities

1- Coordinate the EVAW Programme focused on strengthening women’s rights movements, coalition building and advocacy to end violence against women and girls

• Coordinate WCAR Programme work plan development and implementation according to programme document;
• Liaise with the Regional Policy Specialist for EVAW, global and regional counterparts, donors, UN Women and partners to ensure the programme results are achieved and resources are managed;
• Prepare regional presentation of work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to the Programme Board and UN Women;
• Establish systems for project planning, implementation and monitoring, in collaboration with partners;
• Record and maintain documents on relevant programme activities, issues, and risks.

2- Coordinate the regional strategy to on pushback on women’s rights and gender equality in the region.

• Implement a comprehensive regional strategy to address pushback on women’s rights, in alignment with UN Women’s global and regional priorities.
• Coordinate with UN Women’s West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) and other stakeholders to identify legislative and cultural barriers to women’s rights.
• Conduct research and analysis to develop evidence-based strategies to inform initiatives countering the pushback on women’s rights and gender equality in the region.
• Mobilize regional civil society organizations (CSOs) and women’s rights organizations (WROs) to build effective advocacy strategies and cross regional alliances to counter pushback narratives and action.

3- Oversee the design of research, policy advocacy and campaigning initiatives and the development of relevant knowledge products under the programme

• Oversee any regional research initiatives in line with the programme document to advance advocacy priorities of women’s rights and feminist organizations.
• Research, develop and present analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence, and knowledge products on ending violence against women and girls in their diversity.
• Work with women’s rights and feminist organizations, other partners, HQ and communications team to develop, design and implement advocacy actions and campaigns to advance the priorities of the programme.
• Work closely with and provide advice to global/regional/ national bodies and interagency groups to influence policies, resolutions and other outcomes related to EVAW and women’s rights movements and where necessary represent UN Women;
• Identify promising practices, technical expertise, and strategic opportunities in ending violence against women and strengthening women’s rights and feminist movements in the region.

4- Mobilize and strengthen women’s rights networks in the region

• Identify capacity strengthening needs and provide technical guidance to regional women’s rights organisations including the Abuja Feminist Alliance grassroots organizations and women-led initiatives.
• Organize and facilitate regional best-practice exchanges for women’s rights organisations, networks and civil society organisations meetings, workshops, and conferences related to women’s rights.
• Identify advocacy opportunities at regional and global levels to amplify achievements and entry points for accelerated action by regional women’s groups and networks.
• Document and share best practices and lessons learned within the women’s rights movement.

5- Guide coordination with regional partners and other stakeholders

• Coordinate relationships with regional partners and country-level stakeholders in the region to support implementation and expansion of the programme, raise potential problems and provide solutions;
• Provide guidance to partners on establishment of performance indicators, and monitoring achievement of results;
• Identify capacity development needs and support partners through technical assistance, mentoring, training, cross-partner learning, and capacity development initiatives.

6- Coordinate the programme management including planning, monitoring and reporting , financial management and management of finances and human resources.

• 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 by partners; conduct regular monitoring visits;
• Write annual and quarterly reports for the region; review and coordinate the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Provide inputs from programme activities and results to WCARO reporting.
• Supervise and manage a team of administrative staff, review performance and mentor/ coach staff;
• Coordinate development and preparation of financial resources of the Programme including budgeting and budget revisions, and expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Oversee and monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to participating partners.

7- Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Provide technical support to the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Identify potential programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UN Women, regional needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships.

8- Advocate and facilitate knowledge building and management and communication

• Ensure documentation of the programme implementation process and products produced are in accordance with UN Women guidelines;
• Contribute to the exchange of information and knowledge products internally and externally of the programme;
• Organize major advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products.

9- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Requirements:

Education & Certification

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences or other related areas is required.
• 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 PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in managing complex and multi-component programme interventions with national and/or regional partners, preferably related to ending violence against women and girls;
• Experience in coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects;
• Strong knowledge and/or experience working with women’s rights organizations in the region is desirable.
• Previous experience working in the UN system is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English and French are required.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language (Russian, Arabic, Spanish and Chinese) is desirable.