UNIFEM NIGERIA JOBS Vacancy

Title of Post: PROGRAMME ASSOCIATE, DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Post Level: GS 6
Duty Station: Abuja
Type of Contract: SSA
Duration: 2 months


Background
In 2006/2007 the EU, CIDA, DFID and UNDP provided technical and financial support for Nigeria's democratic journey, particularly the 2007 elections, through a Joint Donor Basket Funding arrangement. This coordinated partnership also involved UNIFEM in the management of the gender equality mainstreaming and women empowerment component of the partnership. Some salient achievements resulted from the JDBF-sponsored interventions. They include:
• Increased number of women in elective positions following Strategic Identification and support to women politicians 
• Development of a Gender and Voter Education Manual 
• Database of Women Politicians 
• Experiences of Women in 2007 Elections’ A compilation yet to be published 
• Strengthened capacity of women politicians across the six geo-political zones' 
• Strengthened capacity of CSOs to analyze and advocate for gender equality and women empowerment • Strengthened capacity of key stakeholders including FMWA, INEC,
• Trust Fund for Women in Politics 
• Strengthened networks of CSOs and other stakeholders
The 2011 elections present another important opportunity to refresh the advocacy for gender equality and increased women's participation in governance in a profound way. The UNDP-managed JDBF 2's DGD provides all like-minded stakeholders the opportunity to galvanize efforts past and on-going towards the realization of a more gender-sensitive democratization vision in Nigeria. 

Scope of Work 
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager the Programme Associate is expected to:
• Provide technical and managerial support for the effective implementation of the women empowerment component of JDBF 2 supported Deepening Democracy in Nigeria (DDN) project.
• Liaise closely with the Programme Manager (UNIFEM) in the day-to-day management of the D&G Unit and all related activities.
• Provide support for the coordination of the broad stakeholder consultative group on Advocacy, Media and other project implementation activities 
• Identify relevant stakeholders, and develop appropriate funding proposals to sustain the UNIFEM D&G Unit 
• Undertake follow-up action on programme implementation activities and prepare relevant reports.
• Undertake monitoring visits to UNIFEM gender and democracy programmes and projects sites/partners assess local conditions and resources and monitor UNIFEM inputs.
• Participate in training programmes, including preparation of training materials and facilitation of sessions within UNIFEM's programme areas 
• Contribute to accurate and timely inputs for project status report required for donors, management and annual reports etc.
• Attend technical meetings with partners, prepare reports and undertake follow-up actions.
• Perform all other function as may be assigned

Required competencies and skills 
• Good knowledge of women and gender issues relating to democracy and politics in Nigeria 
• Good research and advocacy skills 
• Excellent communications (oral and written) skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work well under pressure 
• Ability to meet required deadlines

Qualification Requirements 
• University degree or HND from a recognised University/Polytechnic in any of the Social Sciences, Law. Arts, Humanities or Development Studies is essential 
• A minimum of 3 years relevant working experience is essential

Title of Post: PROGRAMME OFFICER, DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE 
Post Level: NOA
Duty Station: ABUJA
Type of Contract: SSA
Duration: 2 MONTHS

Specific Objectives 
• To build strong and widespread societal support for women's participation in democratic governance in Nigeria through sustained advocacy and pivotal media-based campaigns at all levels.
• To develop and institutionalize strategic commitment mechanisms for increasing women's participation and gender equality in democratic governance processes in INEC, NASS, FMWA, Media and among CSO partners.
• To increase by 200% the numbers of eligible women politicians who are voted into elective positions in the 2011 elections

Scope of Work
• Provide technical support for the Effective implementation of the women empowerment component of JDBF 2 supported Deepening Democracy in Nigeria (DDN) project.
• Liaise closely with the Programme Manager (UNIFEM) and the Gender Advisor, UNDP DGD/PMU in the implementation of the above-named components.
• Coordinate the relevant activities of the broad stakeholder consultative group on Advocacy, Media and other project implementation activities 
• Identify relevant stakeholders, and develop appropriate funding proposals to sustain the UNIFEM D&G Unit 
• Undertake follow-up action on programme implementation activities and prepare relevant reports.
• Undertake monitoring visits to UNIFEM gender and democracy programmes and projects sites/partners, assess local conditions and resources and monitor UNIFEM inputs.
• Communicate with local counterpart authorities on project feasibility and effectiveness. 
• Participate in training programmes, including preparation of training materials and facilitation of sessions within UNIFEM's programme areas 
• Contribute to accurate and timely inputs for project status report required for donors, management and annual reports etc.
• Attend technical meetings with partners, prepare reports and undertake follow-up action 
• Perform all other functions as may be assigned 

Required Competencies and Skills 
• Excellent technical project management skills 
• Excellent communications skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work well under pressure 
• Ability to meet required deadlines • Good research and advocacy skills 
• Good knowledge of women and gender issues relating to democracy and politics in Nigeria

Qualification Requirements 
• University degree in any of the Social Sciences, Law, Arts, Humanities or Development Studies is essential 
• Masters degree in relevant discipline is an added advantage 
• A minimum of 5 years relevant working experience is essential

Method of Application
Interested candidates should forward their updated CV and a short covering letter to:maureen.lance-onyeiwu@unifem.org 

UNIFEM is an equal opportunity organisation. However men are particularly encouraged to apply.
Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted

Closing Date: 11th May, 2010.