Programme Technical Coherence Specialist (Spotlight Initiative)

Under its Strategic Note 2016-2020; Uganda Country Office focuses on delivering programmes under four thematic areas:

• Women’s leadership and political participation
• Ending Violence Against Women
• Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Actions
• Global Norms, Policies and Standards
• Governance, National Planning and Accountability.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in support of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. It was launched in September 2017 by the UN Secretary General and the EU High Representative and Vice President. The 500 million Euro Initiative provides a model for partnerships with donors, civil society, and the UN to deliver on the SDGs in a comprehensive manner leveraging comparative expertise. SDG 5 and the achievement of gender equality are placed at the centre of efforts (alongside Goal 16) with the aim to provide an enabling environment for the implementation of all goals. Within the UN, the Initiative will operationalize the UN development system reforms and model a new way of delivering on the SDGs in an integrated way, leveraging collaborative advantages.

The Spotlight Initiative in Uganda is being implemented through five Recipient UN Organisations (RUNOs — UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR) with a focus on addressing intimate partner violence and domestic violence. It follows a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The overall vision of the Spotlight Initiative in Uganda is that women and girls enjoy their right to a life free of violence, within an inclusive and gender equitable Uganda.

UN Women holds the role of technical coherence within the Spotlight Initiative global configuration, and the position holder will have  a dual reporting line; directly to the Spotlight Coordinator at the Resident Coordinator’s Office who has overall responsibility  for the  delivery of the Programme,  and to the Programme Specialist EVAW, who is the Spotlight Focal Person in UN Women, The Technical Coherence Specialist provides coordination, and programme support to the Programme Coordinator in the Resident Coordinator’s office in the exercises of overall responsibility for planning, implementing, coordinating and reporting.

S/he will be part of a team providing strategic engagement with Government counterparts, programme oversight and monitoring, and quality assurance of the programme components, in coordination with the Civil Society Group and the National Steering Committee. S/he works with the RCO team which includes the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Communications Specialist, and the UNDP based Finance Analyst, to provide result Based monitoring and reporting, as well as the documentation and dissemination of milestones, lessons and programme impacts.

The Technical Coherence Specialist requires experience and in-depth understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment, and expertise in developing capacities with Government and civil society institutions, to translate gender equality priorities, specifically on EVAWG, into effective development results.

• Convene scheduled coherence meetings of the Spotlight, including the Core Management Team, Pillar Coordination Meetings, and the Civil Society National Reference Group and report on outputs
• Support the Spotlight programme Coordinator with technical advice and innovative approaches and coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure Spotlight programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.
• Develop appropriate systems and processes to provide oversight of technical coherence among district level implementing partners
• Support the Spotlight Coordinator in the consolidation of Joint Annual Work Plans and Budgets

2. Coordinate technical assistance and capacity development to the Spotlight initiative in Uganda

• Provide input into the overall coherence of the programme across pillars, in line with Country Programme Document and support implementing partners with technical assistance in line with the planned activities within the Country Programme
• Support the  Spotlight Coordinator  in risk management, and , build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation of the Spotlight programme
• Organize any needed consultations with key stakeholders, experts, or UN agencies
• Identify capacity building needs and support partners through technical assistance, mentoring, training, cross-partner learning, and capacity development initiatives.
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts;
• Coordinate between Implementing Partners to achieve a coherent and aligned presence of the Spotlight initiative in Uganda
• Provide technical support to the Spotlight Programme Coordinator on Implementing Partner coordination by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees;

3. Provide programme development support to the Spotlight Programme

• Provide inputs into the design and formulation of programme proposals and initiatives; Identify programmatic areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectorial areas;
• Provide inputs into programme/ project proposals, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to the Spotlight programme;
• Organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders, women leaders, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs on programme design, as necessary.

4. Provide support to the monitoring and reporting of the programme

• Systematically capture milestones against programme deliverables and lessons learnt from the programme implementation.
• Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and RCO team in the process of monitoring the programme implementation of activities and finances using results-based management tools;
• Identify and monitor programme risks and provide support and guidance to mitigate and address them in a timely manner ·
• Develop relevant documentation on donors and develop potential opportunities for resource mobilization.
• Support the Spotlight Programme Coordinator in the development of a joint resource mobilization and sustainability strategy for the Initiative.
• Monitor the Spotlight Programme Risk Profile in consultation with implementing partners and all stakeholders, and provide periodic updates, support and guidance to mitigate and address them in a timely manner.

5. Oversee advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Lead in the identification of programme milestones and successes and provide guidance to the Communications Specialist on documentation and dissemination

• Attend relevant meetings and policy dialogues as necessary

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality inputs into Spotlight Initiative activities against set workplans, timelines and budgets
• Quality and timely reporting on assigned process outputs
• Strong relations with the Spotlight RCO team, partners and stakeholders
• Regular and timely monitoring of coherence scheduled activities
• Indicators based best practices, milestones and results documentation and dissemination

• Teamwork
• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement

Functional Competencies

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Strong budget and finance skills
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
• Strong analytical skills
• Good knowledge of UN programme management systems
• Demonstrated experience in working to prevent and respond to Gender based violence in a developing country context
•  Strong knowledge of Ugandan Context.

• 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 would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Technical experience in thematic area; · Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
•  Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset;

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