Job: NATIONAL CONSULTANT - SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Location :

West Bank, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Application Deadline :

29-Nov-13

Additional Category

Women's Empowerment

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Post Level :

National Consultant

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

03-Dec-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 months

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 months

Background

UN Women (UNW), grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) since its inception in 1997. UN Women oPt focuses its activities on one overarching goal, namely to support the implementation at the national level of existing international commitments to advance gender equality in line with the national priorities. In support of this goal and thoroughly taking into consideration the specificities of the oPt context, UN Women concentrates its efforts and interventions toward the realisation of following strategic goals: Engendering governance, peace and security; Supporting women's economic security and rights; and Promoting women's rights and protection against violence.

UN Women activity participates in the implementation of the UN Trust Fund for Human Security funded joint Project 'Livelihood protection and Sustainable Empowerment of Vulnerable, Rural and Refugee Communities in the Jordan Valley', together with UNESCO, FAO and UNRWA and in coordination with UNSCO. One of the successes of the project is an effective partnership between UNWOMEN and UNESCO to construct women's centers using traditional mud-brick technology. This component has promoted the resurrection of traditional architecture and construction skills, while fabricating affordable centers as the raw material is locally available in abundance, through these centers, women have been empowered by participating in the construction process and now have centers for income generation and other activities which have great potential for future activities. It is also improving economic security by training semi-skilled labours, while empowering women and ensuring local ownership of the centers by engaging them in the construction process.

Within this framework, and in order to reflect the achievements of UN Women together with the other partners of the joint project, UN Women wishes to bring on board a ‘'Event Coordinator'' to ensure the development, organization and successful implementation of 2 main events:

• A tasting competition – beginning of December 2013. This activity will be implemented under the Women Run School Canteen project phase III, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Maan Development Center and 41 Women CBOs in West Bank.
• The closing ceremony for the Human Security Trust Fund project 'Livelihood Protection and Sustainable Empowerment of Vulnerable, Rural and Refugee Communities in the Jordan Valley (oPt)' - mid-December 2013. This event will involve UNESCO, FAO and UNRWA project partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UN Women Special Representative and in close cooperation with the Project Coordinator of Economic Security and Rights programmes, the consultant will ensure smooth implementation and coordination of the organization of the tasting competition and the closing ceremony events and communication between partners and services providers.

Main tasks, duties and responsibilities:

Administrative arrangements:

• Act as focal point for communication between UN Women and partners on all issues related to the organization of the events;
• Assist in the invitation process, including consolidating the list of invitees for the event and accompanying correspondences (sending invitation and managing RSVP, including through phone follow-up);
• Ensure protocols are agreed upon and respected before sending invitations;
• Act as the primary contact with the event partners/guests in confirming event details and relaying information and securing their attendance;
• Ensure the establishment of a Secretariat in charge of the registration process and assistance to guests during the events;
• Assist in the development of the event programme, then implementation.

Logistic arrangements:

• Research suitable venues, caterers, translation services/material and other necessary services related to the event, producing detailed proposals for the event (e.g. timelines, venues suppliers, legal obligations, budget), secure booking of venue, transportation and others upon approval by UN Women Palestine;
• Prepare quotations and contracts for review and approval in accordance with UN Women procedures and serve as focal point with the contractors including for payment;
• Coordinate on-site logistic in direct collaboration with the selected venue, caterer, security and contractors;
• Coordinate and follow-up on travel/transportation arrangements for the participants;
• Follow-up on the development of event materials and ensure timely production of material required;
• Solicit final approval from event partners and UN Women before printing any material related to the event;
• Update UN Women Palestine regularly on any changes in the event arrangements;
• Liaise with all speakers to ensure talking points, speeches and interventions are set or prepared;
• Supervise logistics and other related arrangements in the run-up and on the day of the event (security, participants, catering and so on).

All the above listed activities will be executed in consultation with UN Women and other UN Agencies and national project partners.

Communication and Public relations:

• Assist in the identification of opportunities for partnership and sponsorship to support the holding of the events (financial and in-kind donations);
• Liaise with UN Women media and advocacy officer regarding press coverage and media requirements, as well as in structuring messages for media, and provide support required;
• Follow-up on the development and provision of visibility material (brochures, banner, roll-up, badges, etc.) in accordance with UN Women visibility guidelines;
• Coordinate and follow-up on audiovisual and sound system for projection of video for the events.

Time frame

It is expected that the assignment will start on the 15th of November and will be finalized by 31st of December 2013.

Key deliverables:

• Concept note including detailed workplan for each of the two events, communications, and visibility actions needed and financial proposal;
• Activity reports for each event;
• Final narrative and Financial reports on for each event.

Competencies

Core values / Guiding Principles:

• Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
• Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Ethics and Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring: Initiative-taking; coaching and mentoring ability;
• Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Self-management and Emotional intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control;
• Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict;
• Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of other.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong communication skills in both English and Arabic (oral and written);
• Able to work in an international environment;
• Results oriented, flexible and problem solving skills;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines,
• Strong networking and communication skills;
• Excellent planning, management and organizational skills
• Able to work under pressure and capable to coordinate multiple tasks at once;
• Demonstrated strong coordination and organizational skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• High school certificate and diploma in communication, business management or related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in event management/public relations/coordination;
• Proven experience in event management;
• Proven track-record in planning and coordinating visibility events;
• Experience working with UN Agencies and UN/UNDP procedures and regulations is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluent spoken and written English and Arabic.

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