The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative (SI), a multi-year programme aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices. The Spotlight Initiative (SI) aims to support transformative change on the ground to end VAWG, in numerous countries globally, including the Kyrgyz Republic. The initiative comes with the highest level of commitment globally and will be governed by the UN Deputy Secretary General and the Vice President of the EU Commission.
The SI in the Kyrgyz Republic will apply a comprehensive set of approaches based on social innovation, human rights, multi-sectoral inclusive response and survivor-centered principles to the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of interventions across the SI’s six outcome areas. Particular emphasis will be placed on integrating the voices and experiences and solutions of women and girls who face multiple forms of discrimination, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) principle of ‘leaving no one behind’. The SI in the Kyrgyz Republic has sought to reflect on current or common place models of ‘conducting business’ in order to propose innovative alternatives aligned with commitments to gender transformative and community-led approaches guided by adaptive leadership and a joint-One UN systems management approach.
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator (UN RC) and in collaboration with the Recipient UN Organizations (RUNOs), the Programme Coordinator will hold overall responsibility for operational guidance and coordination, strategic engagement with the Government counterparts, high-level programme oversight and monitoring, and quality assurance of the programme components, in coordination with the Civil Society National Reference Group (CS-NRG) and the Country Program National Steering Committee (CP-NSC) which includes the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Programme Coordinator will work under the overall authority, guidance and supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the assigned representatives of the five implementing UN agencies of the Spotlight Initiative in the Kyrgyz Republic UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and UNODC. The Programme Coordinator will report to UN Resident Coordinator, lead the Programme Coordination Unit - with support from the RCO - and lead the UN implementation team of Recipient United Nations Organizations (RUNOs) and Associated Agencies.
Located within the RCO and fully recognizing the pillar lead roles and technical expertise of all RUNOs, the Programme Coordinator will be responsible for managing technical teams under and across each of the six pillars. S/he will work to ensure an effective and transparent management of the SI activities aligned with the guidance from the CP-NSC and in close coordination with Spotlight’s Technical Coherence Specialist based at UN Women. The Programme Coordinator will supervise the SI Core Function Staff who make up the Spotlight Programme Coordination Unit (M&E Specialist, Technical Coherence Specialist, and Communications Specialist). Because these positions sit in different RUNOs, the Programme Coordinator will need to coordinate and communicate closely with head of agencies. The Programme Coordinator will also supervise a number of consultants at various levels, ensuring a functional team that can deliver high-quality results in a timely fashion.
The Programme Coordinator is part of a team leading an integrated approach to eliminating VAWG. This position is a core function on the SI Kyrgyz Republic team and as such, they are a member of the SI’s Programme Coordination Unit working under a One UN frame and mindset without agency affiliation irrespective of where they are hosted. All SI Kyrgyz Republic email and communication will be in the context of One UN. The Programme Coordination Unit, under the leadership of the UN resident coordinator, works closely with the CP-NSC (comprised of government stakeholders and the EU), the CS-NRG, all RUNOs, and implementing partners.
In collaboration with RUNOs, the Programme Coordinator will set up and manage transparent and accountable systems, business processes, and workflow arrangement to ensure effective delivery of overall UN accountability for programme delivery of its components, including support to local accountability and regular liaison with the global Secretariat of the Spotlight Initiative and the EU.
The Programme Coordinator will provide strategic guidance to and oversight of the technical teams for the six pillars of the Spotlight country programme, as well as ensure effective coordination with the RCO, RUNOs, the CS-NRG, and the CP-NSC which includes the EU and government stakeholders.
The Programme Coordinator’s responsibilities will be to:
1. Coordinate programme implementation
- Ensure the programme is implemented in compliance with the approved country programme document and in collaboration with СS-NRG, RUNOs, Implementing Partners and the CP-NSC, as well as United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2018-2022 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
- With relevant colleagues, develop an implementation strategy and the joint work plans for each of the six pillars of the SI Country Programme, integrating all RUNOs, national and local partners and other partners;
- Supervise, mentor and provide strategic advice to members of the Programme Coordination Unit: Spotlight M&E Specialist (based at RCO), Spotlight Technical Coherence Specialist (based at UN Women) and Spotlight Communications Officer (based at UNICEF) to ensure coherent implementation of the programme. Supervision includes providing oversight/guidance on their workflow prioritization and contributing to their annual performance assessments;
- Facilitate coordinated negotiation of agreements and workplans with implementing partners in accordance with the objectives of the SI;
- Oversee the implementation of the joint work plans, provide strategic support to achieve programme outcomes, and consolidate budgets and reports;
- Together with the Technical Coherence Specialist, convene technical meetings of the pillar leads to ensure integrated and coherent delivery on the six pillars of the SI;
- Coordinate the convening of relevant technical committees (e.g. CS-NRG, Government Technical Working Group on the Spotlight Initiative); and,
- Lead the Programme Coordination Unit to ensure effective cooperation and coordination between components of the programme, timely delivery and quality implementation, to avoid duplication/overlap in implementation with or programmes working on similar issues in the Kyrgyz Republic, and to coordinate programme reporting (narrative and financial), M&E and communications.
2. Coordinate reporting
- Oversee preparation of consolidated analytical results-based progress reports based on submissions from RUNOs within the timetable specified by the SI Secretariat;
- In collaboration with the CP-NSC, prepare strategic materials, briefs and/or position papers on emerging results and outcomes of the SI; and,
- Serve as the main contact for internal communications and reporting on the SI with key stakeholders including the CP-NSC, CS-NRG, the European Union Delegation in the Kyrgyz Republic and implementing partners in coordination with Spotlight Initiative Secretariat.
3. Ensure effective administration of funds and coordinate external audit
- Ensure the strategic direction for financial management of the SI;
- Ensure the tracking of funds approved by the CP-NSC and their proper administration;
- Monitor and track project approvals, budget records, disbursements and statements of expenditure on an ongoing basis;
- Coordinate timely preparation and conduct for the internal and external audits of the SI; and
- Coordinate timely preparations and conduct for the independent evaluation of the SI.
4. Act as liaison to Programme stakeholders
- Serve as the focal point to the global SI Secretariat;
- Serve as the main contact for internal United Nations Country Team communications and reporting on the SI Kyrgyz Republic with non-UN key stakeholders including the CP-NSC, CS-NRG, the European Union Delegation and implementing partners
- Under the leadership of UN RC, act as the technical level liaison between the Spotlight UN country team and the CS-NRG, the Government, the EU and other stakeholders (CP-NSC), including sharing information on the SI Kyrgyz Republic Country Programme with all stakeholders in a timely manner, and organisation of meetings with stakeholders:
- Provide periodic summary reports to the CP-NSC on the overall progress of the SI Kyrgyz Republic,
- Ensure consistency between programme activities, the country programme document and decisions by the CP-NSC,
- Provide periodic summary reports to the CP-NSC on the overall progress of the SI Kyrgyz Republic;
- Provide periodic summary reports to the CP-NSC on the overall progress of the SI Kyrgyz Republic,
- Ensure consistency between programme activities, the country programme document and decisions by the CP-NSC,
- Provide periodic summary reports to the CP-NSC on the overall progress of the SI Kyrgyz Republic;
- Mobilize and interact with RUNOs, associated UN agencies, the EU Delegation in the Kyrgyz Republic, the Government and other relevant entities to appropriately respond to any needs occurring within the SI.
5. Provide secretarial support to the Programme
- Provide periodic updates and briefings to the UN RC and the Spotlight UN country team;
- Lead and coordinate the Spotlight UN country team (RUNO and associated UN agencies’ staff engaged in the implementation of Programme activities); and
- Provide secretarial support for the CP-NSC, including organisation of its meetings, keeping minutes of meetings, coordinating progress and other reports and briefs to be presented at Committee’s meetings.
6. Engage in strategic development of the Spotlight Initiative
- Use networks to promote the SI Kyrgyz Republic with partner organizations, as well as other countries implementing SI programmes in the region;
- Actively promote regional exchanges of lessons learned and experiences on ending violence against women and girls within Central Asia;
- Establish and maintain good working relations with relevant institutional and organizational partners; and
- Support the UN RC to develop a joint resource mobilization and sustainability strategy.
7. Facilitate knowledge management
- Establish a mechanism for knowledge sharing by the RUNOs and identify and articulate lessons learnt on the operations of the SI Kyrgyz Republic through such mechanisms;
- Ensure wide capture and dissemination of programme achievements, lessons learned and other knowledge-management related SI initiatives;
- Lead the formulation of guidelines and procedures that would further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the SI Kyrgyz Republic implementation; and
- Encourage innovative methodologies by RUNOs and support sharing of good practices across the programme.
Corporate competencies:
- Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional competencies:
- Proven skills in the areas of results-based programme planning management, planning, organizing, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
- Technical knowledge of policies and programmes on gender equality and elimination of violence against women and girls;
- Experiences in working on rights-based approaches including intervention models to address multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination;
- Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues;
- Strong understanding of various methodologies in gender responsive monitoring and evaluation, both qualitative and quantitative, such as surveys, record reviews, focus groups and cases studies;
- Ability to contribute to the development of efficient and effective monitoring and evaluation methodology for programming;
- Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies;
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and in a team;
- Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills;
- Demonstrates creativity and creative problem solving;
- Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
- In providing advice to the RCO and the UNCT, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; and
- Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
Functional Competencies:
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information
- Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
- Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
- Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
- Participates in the formulation of project proposals
Building Strategic Partnerships
Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships
- Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UN’s mandate and strategic agenda
- Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
- Promotes One UN’s agenda in inter-agency meetings
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms
- Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
- Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
- Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
- Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
Core Competencies:
- Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
- Building and promoting effective teams
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UN & setting standards
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
- Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking
Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent degree in development studies, international relations, law, public health, social science, gender studies or another related field
- A relevant Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with two additional years of qualifying experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree
- Gender certification is a strong asset
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in managing or coordinating complex multi-stakeholder, multi-year programmes
- Understanding of gender equality and women’s human rights
- Experience working with and building partnerships with a range of partners such as governments, donors, international organizations and civil society organizations
- Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written results-focused analytical and progress reports in English
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Experience in gender and sexual and gender-based violence is an asset
- Relevant experience in programme development and management in a UN system agency or a development organisation an asset
- Experience with EU programme procedures and processes and/or other donor funded projects is an advantage
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English and Russian is required
- Fluency in Kyrgyz would be an asset
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension