Project Coordinator, Bougainville

Purpose of Consultancy:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, upholds the values enshrined in the UN Charter and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking highly motivated candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in managing the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The joint programme entitled ‘Sustaining Peace in Bougainville - Post Referendum Support focuses on strengthening the engagement of women and youth in the post-Referendum processes, which in turn, directly corresponds with the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and key recommendations by the Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) 2015 to the Autonomous Region of Bouganiville (AROB), which was deployed by the United Nations at the request of the National Government. These key recommendations included: prioritizing Referendum preparation, and including women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PLWD) in all key discussions on the Referendum. The project, which is a joint collaboration between the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and The Empowerment of Women, (UN Women), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) started in January 2023 and will end in June 2024. The Joint Programme is being implemented with the funding support from the Peacebuilding Fund - Gender and Youth Peace Initiative (GYPI).

Given that the Referendum has already concluded peacefully with an overwhelming participation of the population including women and youth, the project activities now aim to:

▪ Continue engaging youth in post-referendum awareness raising activities;

▪ Completion of Bougainville Youth Policy formulation that was already initiated; and

▪ Supporting functioning/operation of Youth Resource Centres.

You will ensure the effective management of Outcome 2 (Engagement with Youth) of the Joint Programme’s activities will ensure linkages with sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, adolescents and youth empowerment, and gender equality, women empowerment, and gender-based violence, and population dynamics in AROB. Working to advance the ICPD policy agenda in a challenging environment, you will respond to changing priorities of the State Government, promoting partnership and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral agencies, civil society organizations and local communities, to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders towards achieving UNFPA’s mandate in the State, so that no women and girls are left behind. You will actively contribute to UN Reform through coordination at State level with other UN agencies and participation in policy dialogue and provision of inputs into joint initiatives.

The Individual Consultant, Project Coordinator, will be responsible for the following:

Given that the Referendum has already concluded peacefully with an overwhelming participation of the population including women and youth, the project activities now aim to:

▪ Continue engaging youth in post-referendum awareness raising activities;

▪ Completion of Bougainville Youth Policy formulation that was already initiated; and

▪ Supporting functioning/operation of Youth Resource Centres.

You would be responsible for:

A. Programme Management and Coordination:

● Lead the implementation of Outcome 2 in AROB, firmly anchored on rights-based, gender centric and results-based approaches, and other relevant, appropriate strategies and interventions.

● In close coordination with the AROB Government and collaboration with other partners oversee the management of the UNFPA programme in full compliance with Corporate policies and procedures.

● Oversee the achievement of programme results applying appropriate monitoring and oversight mechanisms.

● Continually scan the environment, anticipate, brief and advise UNFPA senior Management on the socio-economic and political conditions in AROB and their implications for the UNFPA-supported programmes.

● Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and guidance of the Joint Programme Overall Technical Coordinator (based in UNDP), lead in the formulation of the AROB annual work plans for Outcome 2

● Monitor and supervise day-to-day implementation of the annual workplans in close and regular consultation with implementing partners and stakeholders.

● Guide and orient implementing partners on relevant UNFPA policies and procedures, introducing effective modalities and practices of implementation.

● Analyze progress, technical and other substantive reports from AROB’s implementing partners and stakeholders and recommend necessary follow-up and/or corrective actions.

B. Policy Dialogue and Technical Support:

● Conduct policy dialogue with Government counterparts, UN agencies, other development partners and implementing partners for Outcome 2 in AROB and advocate for inclusion of ICPD agenda into AROB plans and strategies, UN systems initiatives and development frameworks.

● Represent UNFPA, promote and articulate the ICPD Programme of Action linkages to Agenda 2030 in high-level meetings, conferences and fora at State level.

● Contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated Country Office strategy.

● Ensure compliance of programme implementation with UNFPA corporate technical and programme policies and guidelines. Assess implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution, and ensure their integration as relevant.

● Provide technical guidance to ensure that programmes are rights-based, gender-responsive and inclusive.

C. Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

● Represent UNFPA during project discussions, advocate for policies supportive of UNFPA transformative goals.

● Establish and nurture partnerships with multi-lateral agencies, civil society including academia, research community and community-based organisations, building strategic alliances towards ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning and ending gender-based violence in all its forms including child marriage and gender-biased sex selection.

● Provide strategic inputs towards advocacy efforts of the Country Office by preparing or reviewing relevant documentation, i.e. white papers, donor and other high-levels visitor briefs, conference papers, speeches, fund-raising concept notes and proposals.

● Create and deliver effective, contextualized and evidence-based advocacy messages to advance UNFPA programme goals.

● Understand the AROB budget cycle and advocate for increases in State budgetary allocations and expenditures towards maternal health, family planning and addressing gender-based violence, with special focus on adolescents and youth and vulnerable population groups.

● Build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for effective programme delivery.

● Contribute substantially and strategically to CO resource mobilization initiatives and lead resource mobilization at state level.

● Under the guidance of CO Communication and Media team, work with local media agencies to disseminate UNFPA’s peacebuilding work and build community awareness and mobilize community support for ICPD and the sustainable development goals, especially SDGs 3 and 5.

D. Office Management & Leadership:

● Manage UNFPA office in AROB; establish systems of accountability for effective compliance with corporate policies and procedures in stewardship of resources entrusted to you, and effective and efficient management of programmes.

● Role model a culture of accountability, integrity and respect, in line with the UN Leadership Framework and the UN Code of Conduct.

● Supervise and guide State Office staff and promote a high standard of performance within the team using a participatory and constructive style.

● Foster a culture of open communication and transparency, and maintain a motivated workforce; promote a learning environment and systematic information sharing among the Office Staff.

● Identify technical knowledge gaps and propose a training to the Country Office management for AROB-based personnel.

● Identify talent, develop and implement career development plans through mentoring, coaching and other training opportunities.

● Plan and implement capacity building for UNFPA office personnel and counterparts in programme and financial management procedures, and on ICPD/SDGs in general.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Duration and working schedule:

The contract will cover the period 15 June to 31 December 2023. Payments are calculated on the basis of a daily rate.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The Individual Consultant UNFPA Office in Buka, ARoB (as part of the UN Common Office).

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Qualifications

A Masters degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender/Women’s Studies, Community Development or equivalent qualifications in a relevant, directly related discipline.
Must be meticulous - have a keen eye for details, looking for excellence/ perfection/quality in all technical matters.

Professional experience

Minimum of 5 years experience in coordinating programmes/projects; coordination experience with the UN/UNFPA and joint programmes is an advantage
Minimum 3 years of experience working in the field of peacebuilding, especially with adolescents and youth
Working in Papua New Guinea/Pacific, especially in AROB, is also an advantage
Has a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Competencies

Values:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing cultural diversity
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results
- Being accountable
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
- Thinking analytically and strategically
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
- Communicating for impact

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English is required.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit their applications via email to png-recruitment@unfpa.org no later than 5 June 2023.

Applications must include:

Letter of interest / Cover letter
Resume / CV
Completed UN Personal History Form (linked above)