National Project Coordinator - Country Lead, Markets for Change

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda, aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women globally. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and works towards eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office operates in Suva, Fiji, and collaborates with over twenty other UN agencies across fourteen countries in the Pacific region, including Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu, among others. UN Women focuses on four interlinked programme areas: Women's Political Empowerment and Leadership, Women's Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence against Women, and Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction. The Markets for Change Project specifically promotes gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in several Pacific nations, including Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, working in partnership with various stakeholders including governments and civil society organizations.

Job Overview:
The National Project Coordinator - Country Lead for the Markets for Change project in Kiribati is responsible for overseeing project management and implementation at the national level. This role involves managing strategic partnerships, financial and human resource management, and knowledge building. The incumbent will work closely with the M4C Kiribati Team and collaborate with teams across other countries involved in the project. The position requires leading the development of programme strategies, managing the annual workplan and budget, and ensuring the successful implementation of project activities. The National Project Coordinator will also provide technical assistance and capacity development to project partners, monitor progress, and draft reports on project outcomes. This role is crucial for ensuring that the project meets its objectives and contributes to the overall mission of UN Women in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities including:

• Leading the development of programme strategies for the Markets for Change project in Kiribati, providing input to project proposals, and identifying areas for support and intervention.
• Managing the implementation and management of the project, including overseeing the annual workplan and budget, leading project activities, and coordinating the submission of financial and narrative reports from implementing partners.
• Providing technical assistance and capacity development to project partners, maintaining relationships with national partners, and facilitating training and support as needed.
• Monitoring and reporting on project implementation, drafting reports on monitoring missions, and providing inputs for donor and UN Women reports.
• Overseeing operational logistics, including procurement plans, and ensuring compliance with UN Women policies.
• Building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies, preparing documentation for donor meetings, and participating in public information events.
• Contributing to inter-agency coordination and providing technical support to related activities.
• Developing advocacy and communication efforts, coordinating campaigns, and managing knowledge products related to the project.
• Supervising the M4C Country team and managing HR-related matters for the project team.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's Degree (or equivalent) in a development-related discipline, including gender issues, public policy, social work, or other related social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level University Degree (Bachelor's Degree) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Candidates should have at least two years of progressively responsible work experience at the national and/or international level in project formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and donor reporting. Experience in women's economic empowerment, informal sector support, and facilitating workshops is highly desirable. Proficiency in using office software and web-based management systems is also required, along with demonstrated leadership abilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in a relevant field such as gender studies, public policy, social work, or other social sciences. A Bachelor's Degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of relevant experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the socio-economic factors affecting women's empowerment.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two years of relevant experience for those with a Master's Degree, or four years for those with a Bachelor's Degree. This experience should include project management, implementation, and evaluation at both national and international levels. Familiarity with women's economic empowerment initiatives and experience in training and capacity building are significant assets. Additionally, experience in liaising with government agencies and donors is beneficial, as is a background in working with the UN system.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with international stakeholders. Fluency in the local language, Kiribati, is considered an asset and would enhance communication with local partners and beneficiaries.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and involves supervising the M4C Country team in Kiribati. The National Project Coordinator will report directly to the Regional Project Manager and will be responsible for all HR-related matters for the project team. The role requires a commitment to UN Women's values and policies, including adherence to a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. Candidates should be prepared for rigorous background checks and must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.