UNICEF is Recruiting a Coordinator for the Global Partners Working Group on SRGBV

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI) is a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to improving the quality and availability of girls' education and contributing to the empowerment of girls and women through transformative education.

UNICEF is the lead agency within UNGEI, and provides technical, strategic and financial support. UNICEF Education hosts the UNGEI Secretariat. The Secretariat serves to facilitate and guide UNGEI to deliver on its agenda through collective advocacy, coordinated action, knowledge sharing and capacity building at the global, regional and country levels.

In 2014, UNGEI contributed to the establishment of the Global Partners Working Group on School Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) with the mandate 'to strengthen coordinated, collaborative, accelerated and expanded global, regional and country-level responses aimed at eliminating SRGBV.' The UNGEI Secretariat agreed to provide technical support and leadership in coordinating the Global Partners Working Group, in collaboration with 25 member organizations representing key civil society, bilateral and multilateral organizations.

The purpose of this position is to provide a dedicated resource for the coordination capacity of the UNGEI Secretariat to support the effective functioning of the Global Partners Working Group on SRGBV. USAID has provided a grant to UNICEF to reinforce the capacity of the UNGEI Secretariat for this work. The assignment includes network management and support, strengthening UNGEI's knowledge management platform, coordination of advocacy efforts, technical writing and communication, and efforts to address critical gaps in research and evidence and promoting evidence-based advocacy for the elimination of SRGBV. In addition, the incumbent will support the further development of existing strategic partnerships with Education International, and the Global Partnership for Education as they relate to SRGBV focused initiatives.

Key Expected Results

Network coordination and support:

• Support the development of the 2014-2016 work plan for the Global Partners Working Group on SRGBV;
• Monitor and report on progress in achieving work plan objectives;
• Organize and regularly update a geographic mapping of SRGBV interventions undertaken or supported by Working Group members;
• Establish a communication mechanism for updating members of the Working Group;
• Coordinate the work of the thematic sub working groups on research, advocacy and global standards;
• Create and manage a shared calendar of strategic events;

End Result(s):

• Thematic Working Groups supported, and work plan implemented

Technical support for policy advocacy:

• In collaboration with the thematic sub working group on advocacy, draft a two-year advocacy agenda on SRGBV with key priorities, messages, and supportive advocacy material and advocacy events;
• Contribute to the identification of policy advocacy opportunities and preparation of joint responses;
• Monitor the implementation of the policy advocacy agenda;
• Identify, draft, and distribute policy advocacy material on SRGBV

End Result(s):

• Technical support provided to advance an agreed advocacy agenda on SRGBV;
• Policy briefs and messages on SRGBV developed and shared among partners

Knowledge management:

• Building on the existing UNGEI Knowledge Management platform, establish, organize and regularly update the SRGBV e-resource centre to make available current evidence, analysis and other reports, tools, policies and strategies on SRGBV from a wide range of sources, in both English and French;
• Develop and maintain a forum for knowledge sharing;
• Design and disseminate a periodic newsletter.

End Result:

• Knowledge and communication products available;
• Partners are kept up-to-date with most current research, policy and program interventions, and tools and guidance

Strategic partnerships:

• Support the development and implementation of the UNGEI- Education International (EI) capacity building and advocacy initiative to promote teachers as leaders in eliminating SRGBV;
• Liaise with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) - UNICEF initiative on SRGBV under the GPE-GRA grant with a particular focus on technical and advocacy support through its partner network at the global level; and promote collaborative and partnership approaches at the country level.
• Forge new partnerships to strengthen the effectiveness of the Global Partners Working Group on SRGBV

End Result(s):

• UNGEI - EI initiative launched and implemented;

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Advanced degree in education, gender in international development, social sciences or related technical field.

Five - seven years of solid professional work experience at the national and international levels in network management,

partnership building, knowledge management, and policy advocacy. Familiarity with education, gender analysis and school-related gender based violence is of particular advantage

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Diversity and Inclusion - Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible

Integrity- Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands, keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behavior; resists political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority

Commitment- Demonstrates commitment to the organization and UNICEF's mission; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF's cause

Core Competencies:

Communication- Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way

Working with people- Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well

Drive for Results- Sets high standards for quality and quantity; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal/external clients; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm

Managerial Competencies:

Analyzing- Analyzes numerical data and all other sources of information, to break them into component parts, patterns and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgments from the available information and analysis; demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system

Formulating Strategies & Concepts- Works strategically to realize organizational goals; sets and develops strategies; identifies, develops positive and compelling visions of the organization's future potential; takes account of a wide range of issues across, and related to, the organization.

Relating and Networking- Easily establishes good relationships with customers and staff; builds wide and effective networks of contacts inside and outside the organization; relates well to people at all levels; manages conflict; uses humor appropriately to enhance relationships with others

Functional Competencies:

Persuading and Influencing- Gains clear agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating; makes effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others; promotes ideas on behalf of oneself or others; makes a strong personal impact on others; takes care to manage one's impression on others

Deciding and Initiating Action- Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people; takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick, clear decisions which may include tough choices or considered risks

Applying Technical Expertise- Applies specialist and detailed technical expertise; develops job knowledge and expertise (theoretical and practical) through continual professional development; demonstrates an understanding of different organizational departments and functions

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.