Job: PROGRAMME SUPPORT TO DEVELOP RESPONSE TO NEEDS OF WOMEN REFUGEES IN KURDISTAN, IRAQ

Location: Dohuk, Sulaymanya and Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
Deadline: Thursday, 12 September 2013 

Description

Application Deadline :

12-Sep-13

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Post Level :

National Consultant

Languages Required :

Arabic   English  

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months

Background

UN Women, Iraq is based in Baghdad but has a small office in Erbil in the Kurdistan region.  UNWomen’s main focus in Iraq is on helping government at national and regional level introduce gender responsive budgeting, working with governmental and non-governmental partners to develop policies and programmes to end violence against women;  supporting women participate in politics in Iraq as voters, candidates and successful MPs and local councilors; and  developing programmes and policies to help women develop the skills necessary to find employment and some financial independence. So far, UNWomen has not played a role in responding to the needs of Syrian women refugees.

Nearly 200,,000 Syrians have sought refuge in Iraqi-Kurdistan.   The influx in August has led to a rapidly expanding camp population but the majority of refugees remain outside of a camp setting.  UNWomen Iraq is seeking to carry out a number of projects to help Syrian women left economically vulnerable as a result of the conflict in Syria.  Two specific projects have been agreed;  one to survey the levels of Gender Based Violence amongst the refugee population in Kurdistan with particular attention to early and forced marriage and one to start an employment exchange for Syrian women refugees.  There is potential for much more involvement of UNWomen directly with refugee issues.  The objective of this short term assignment is to monitor and help implement the ongoing projects and to influence policy and identify new opportunities for intervention for UNwomen.

The programme coordinator should seek to join different coordination mechanisms in the camps and amongst those NGOs dealing with the refugee community and should seek to identify new areas of intervention for UNWomen.  The holder of this short term assignment will be expected to establish good working relations with refugee groups in the community as well as in the camps and to work with them to develop potential future interventions.  The programme coordinator will report to the Head of the UNWomen office in Erbil.  The position will be based in Dohuk, Northern Iraq but the postholder will be expected to travel to Erbil and Sulaimanya  and report to and operate out of UN headquarters in Erbil ,  Kurdistan, Iraq.    

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women head of office in Erbil, the Consultant will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of projects in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and will be expected to develop new projects.  This task will include, but is not limited to:

• Monitoring and reporting on on-going project activities including ensuring budgetary formalities are carried out in line with instructions and visiting project sites;
• Establishing working relations with all UN agencies and NGOs offering support to Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, and ensuring that women’s rights are taken into account in project formulation;
• Develop and write at least 3 project proposals for UNWomen in response to refugee needs, especially if possible around issues of economic empowerment;
• Identify potential donors to support the project proposals and initiate contact in order to secure funding;
• Represent UNWomen at inter-agency and other official meetings dealing with refugee issues.

Consultancy Duration:

The contract duration is for four months starting as soon as possible after 15 September.   Local and International personnel are encouraged to reply.

Deliverables and timeframe

The consultant is expected to produce and deliver the following outputs: 

• Regular monthly reports on the implementation of ongoing projects;
• Regular monthly reports on the implementation of gender sensitive policies across the refugee response in Kurdistan;
• At least 3 concept notes for new projects to be implemented by UN Women after 10 weeks of commencing the assignment;
• Develop at least 2 full project proposals by the end of the 3^rd month of the assignment;
• Identify at least 3 potential donors and ascertain their support;
• Create a workplan for future UNWomen interventions.  
  

Competencies

Core values and Guiding principles:

The consultant will be expected to demonstrate the following key competencies:

• Integrity:  Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work;
• Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:  Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity;
• Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative;
• Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Communicating and Information Sharing:Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication;
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Functional competencies:

• Development and Operational Effectiveness; 
• Ability to lead the formulation and monitoring of management projects;
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Programme writing skills;
• Good communicating and presenting skills;
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Degree in economics, international development, sociology, social work or related discipline.

Experience:

• At least 4 years of experience in working in the development sector, public institutions or on refugee support issues;
• Proven experience or understanding of gender mainstreaming and issues of gender violence amongst refugees;
• Proven experience in project writing and development;
• Understanding of Kurdish government institutions and policies and knowledge of NGOs working on the ground in Kurdistan.

Language:

• Fluency in Arabic, Kurdish and English.

Application:

Interested applicants should send a CV, cover letter explaining their proposed approach and including their rates to iraq.co@unwomen.org    by 17.00 Baghdad time on 10 September 2013. 

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.

More Info and Application