Women Parliamentarian Association (KEWOPA) Service Contractor, Nairobi

Women Parliamentarian Association (KEWOPA) Service Contractor, Nairobi
Closing Date: Saturday, 31 July 2010
WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIAN ASSOCIATION (KEWOPA) SERVICE CONTRACTOR
Location :     Nairobi, KENYA
Application Deadline :    31-Jul-10
Type of Contract :    Service Contract
Post Level :    SB-5
Languages Required :    English
Duration of Initial Contract :    1 year
Expected Duration of Assignment :    2 years
Background
The Gender and Governance Programme (GGP) that is currently in its third phase is an innovative multi-stakeholder initiative which supports women's effective participation in governance. The programme was developed by various stakeholders that identified the need to include women's issues in national polity, support transformative leadership across all levels of government, and strengthen women leadership at the grassroots level up to the national level in Kenya.
GGP III will continue to provide technical support to government institutions and national gender machineries in achieving equal access of women to goods and services, and civil society organisations in holding duty bearers accountable. It will focus on developing institutional capacities to contribute to citizen-oriented quality policy, programme and services with budget allocations through which women are assured equal opportunities and access.
Under the overall supervision of the Kenya Programme Manager but with direct supervision from the GGP Programme Manager, the National Programme Officer will be responsible for the overall programmatic management of the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA) including taking a leadership role in providing better guidance, promotion of women's issues and integration of gender perspective in their oversight function as members of parliament.. The incumbent will be based at the KEWOPA offices.

Duties and Responsibilities
    * Overall co-ordination and project support to KEWOPA secretariat in development of annual work plans, financial expenditure forecasts and budgets for all the programmatic areas in the political and social arena of KEWOPA and its National and International development partners;
    * Provide technical support, contribute and participate in KEWOPA activities in parliament to undertake analytical review of gender related legislation and more strategically mainstream gender in Parliamentary institutional mechanisms;
    * Enhance participation of KEWOPA members in relevant parliamentary institutions especially on development, advocacy and implementation of gender budgeting guidelines;
    * Co-ordinate, support and liaise with the KEWOPA staff and work with Parliamentary institutional mechanisms to engender the work of Parliament, advocacy, conceptualization and organization of relevant capacity building programmes that enhance the capacity of KEWOPA members and KEWOPA secretariat;
    * Keep abreast and advise relevant parliamentary committees, Chairperson of KEWOPA and UNIFEM on major national (Policies, draft Bills etc), regional commitments (IGAD, AU) and global development commitments (MDGs, NEPAD, new aid modalities etc) that might have implications on how gender is integrated within the work of Parliament in Kenya;
    * Perform any other duty as requested by the supervisor.

      Expected Output
    * Ensure all programme activities are implemented in a coherent and integrated way according to the KEWOPA Strategy Plan;
    * Enhanced capacity building focus of KEWOPA members while demonstrating adequate technical capacity in terms of results based management, financial reporting, analysis of political environment to inform changes to programme implementation etc.);
    * Programme implementing partners are able to network and collaborate on activities as appropriate to ensure maximum impact;
    * Quarterly financial monitoring and updates of programme components and activities to UNIFEM;
    * Appropriate procedures that ensure accountability, transparency and competitiveness in the procurement and contracting aspects of the programme are designed for KEWOPA;
    * Full understanding, cooperation and, wherever possible, synergy of the programme activities with other governance programmes in Kenya;
    * Regular progress and financial reports provided by KEWOPA to development partners.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
    * Demonstrates integrity by modeling UN/UNIFEM values and ethical standards.
    * Demonstrates commitment to UNIFEM's mission, vision and values.
    * Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability.
    * Treats all people fairly and without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:
    * Excellent gender and governance analytical skills;
    * Ability to prioritise, plan, coordinate work and respond rapidly to the changing governance processes in Kenya and provide guidance to implementing partners;
    * Personal qualities must include non partisanship ethnically or politically, integrity, maturity, self-confidence, outstanding communication skills, initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills.
    * Ability to work in a team and to complete assignments with minimum supervision and meet strict deadlines.
    * Personal qualities must include non partisanship ethnically or politically, integrity, maturity, self-confidence, outstanding communication skills, initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills;
    * Strong interest in development work and good understanding of the UN system and principles.

Required Skills and Experience
Educations:
    * A minimum of a Masters Degree with specialization in areas such as women/gender studies, international relations, international development, and/or other related social science disciplines.

Experience:
    * At least 5 years of experience in gender and development; at least 2 years experience in mainstreaming gender in parliamentary mechanisms;
    * Knowledge and technical expertise in development of annual work plans, financial expenditure forecasts and budgets for all the programmatic areas in the political and social arena of KEWOPA and its National and International development partners. In addition, ability to leverage the resources of development partners and building strategic alliances and partnerships will all relevant stakeholders addressed; contributing to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
    * Good understanding of the UN system and principles.

Languages:
    * Excellent command of English and report writing skills. Knowledge of Kiswahili will be an added advantage. Computer and internet literate.

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.