VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)

Post Title: Coordinator – Forum against Gender-Based Violence (SC7 – SB4, Peg1) – Re-advertisement

Duty Station: Colombo

Duration: One year (full time)

Background:

The Forum against Gender-Based Violence (Forum against GBV, also known as the GBV Forum) Sri Lanka was set up on 24 August 2005 following a consultation with selected agencies working on gender–based violence (GBV) issues in order to facilitate greater coordination, understanding, sharing of information/ resources and strengthen multi-sectoral responses to GBV. Its main focus was to share information and experiences, ensure that responses to GBV are coordinated and strengthen collective efforts to end GBV. The Forum membership is broad-based and including UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, the Government and individual members.

The forum was redefined in 2014 with a Vision; “A society free of gender based violence in Sri Lanka” with the Mission to protect women in both public and private spheres from gender-based violence, through collaborative interventions with organizations and networks, by building the capacity of service providers, institutions and advocating for effective laws and policies and encouraging public debate.

The Forum against Gender based Violence is chaired by UNFPA from its inception. The forum functions will be facilitated and coordinated by the Coordinator of the Forum against Gender Based Violence.

A Coordinator will be a full time national level coordinator whose key functions would be to convene the Forum, coordinate the work and activities of the forum, maintain the Forum membership and monitor and support the sub committees. The Coordinator is a key figure in the functioning of the Forum. As the membership would function on a voluntary basis the Forum and its chair would depend on the Coordinator to ensure dynamism and timeliness in the implementation of the work plan. The Coordinator would serve as the key point of contact for the membership, to share information on issues and concerns emerging in the field of GBV, for networking and outreach. The Coordinator would also be responsible for implementing the resourcing strategy for the Forum with the support of the Sub Committees. The Coordinator will be supported by a subcommittee within the forum regarding forum activities.

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA National Programme and Policy Analyst - Women's Rights & Gender (NPPA) and under the overall guidance of the Representative of UNFPA / Chair of the forum against GBV, the Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

Main Tasks

·  Coordinate the implementation of the designed work plan (2015 - 2017) for possible joint/collaborative initiatives. This would include organizing cross visits to see and learn from best practices of GBV work of each other’s programs; developing common training modules and material; sharing trainers; and conducting joint awareness/training programmes; advocacy campaigns, collaborative research projects, etc.

·  Responsible for the proper coordination with the support of the sub committees and timely monitoring and follow-up on the progress towards implementing the proposed activities by member organizations and in achieving the targeted outcomes of the forum.

·  Represent the forum at official meetings and discussions regarding the forum against GBV. However, the commitments stated by the Coordinator on behalf of the forum will be endorsed by the Forum members and Chair, beforehand and will be guided by the forum in doing so. The coordinator will not make decisions on behalf of the forum without consulting the forum members.

·  Organize regular meetings of the Forum, including making logistical arrangements; sending out notices, agenda and other relevant material, recording minutes, writing reports relating to Forum activities, etc.

·  Facilitate e-discussions of the Forum/Community of Practice via an email-network. This includes analysing and synthesizing contributions of members to the e-discussions and distributing same to forum members

·  Coordinate and facilitate the involvement of regional fora and networks operating against GBV and assist the Forum members to establish linkages with other networks on gender and GBV, especially at the district level.

Additional tasks:

·  Create and maintain a database of GBV interventions and resources of the various agencies by setting up a common website to share comprehensive and broad-based information on GBV with the members.

·  To strengthen collective efforts to end GBV through the co-ordination of advocacy and awareness efforts with a special focus on the joint campaign on “16 days of activism to end GBV”, events on the International Women’s Day, One Billion Rising campaign, etc.

·  Organize regular meetings of the sub committees formed for the joint campaign, including making logistical arrangements; sending out notices, agenda and other relevant material, recording minutes, writing reports relating to the campaign, and events etc.

·  Maintain and manage the membership details and other managerial information of the forum members on a timely basis.

·  Develop and maintain an inventory of resources: list of trainers, researchers, consultants, publications, training manuals and tools, etc. and share with the members of the forum.

·  Identifying issues and opportunities relating to GBV and monitoring important events and interventions on GBV and bringing them to the notice of the Forum

·  Liaise with Forum members, other gender networks, and relevant government and donor agencies.

Reporting and other requirements:

·  Prepare an action plan for the year coordinating with the forum members and the Chair, to be reviewed quarterly.

·  The coordinator will be responsible to maintain all records and details relevant to the forum, including official documents, commitments by the forum, meeting minutes, discussion points and any other related records and documentation of the forum.

·  Prepare budget requirements and maintain and record the budget and accounts details regularly according to the relevant agency regulations. Separate budget records will be maintained for separate events done by the forum.

·  Details of financial and budgetary support provided by forum members for programmes and activities of the forum, will be coordinated, recorded and maintained by the coordinator.

·  Quarterly review of the commitments and meetings of the forum and plan on activities and events that need attention and planning will be communicated and organized with the Chair of the forum against GBV and UNFPA NPPA Women's Rights & Gender.

Criteria for selection:

1.  A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in gender, international development or any other social science field.

2.  Over three years’ experience in the field of Gender and International Development preferably with some experience in the field of gender-based violence after completion of the degree.

3.  Proven experience in Coordination work in a similar capacity. Prior experience in the UN system or development organizations in a similar capacity would be an asset.

4.  Excellent command of English including excellent report writing and communication skills with a working knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil.

5.  Proficiency in current office software applications and knowledge of social media.

UNFPA work environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversityin all forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.We are committed tomaintaining our balanced genderdistributionand thereforeencourage womento apply.UNFPApromotes equal opportunities for allincludingpersons with disabilities.

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UNFPA offers an attractive compensation package commensurate with experience. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Please submit your resume with a cover letter and contact details of three-non related referees by e-mail. Please specify the job tile that you are applying for on the ‘subject’ line to addressed to UNFPA Representative.

No hard copy applications will be accepted. Only short-listed applications will be acknowledged.

Deadline for application: 05 February 2017