Eligibility:

• Master’s degree in gender and development and/or other related social science field.
• Five years of professional experience in the field of gender and development, preferably in programme/ project management.
• Good analytical skills and ability to understand and adapt to complex socio cultural backgrounds.  
• Excellent knowledge of the government system and its functions, particularly related to gender equality and social inclusion.
• Demonstrated capability of good understanding of technical cooperation in gender mainstreaming including humanitarian preparedness and response.
• Knowledge of computer and office software packages (MS Word, Excel and Power Point etc.).
• Excellent written and communication skills in both Nepali and English.

Organizational Location

The Programme Officer Harmful Practices is located in the Nepal Country Office (CO) and reports to the Gender Programme Specialist. 

Job Purpose

The Programme Officer Harmful Practices is a substantive contributor to the programme team in the Country Office. S/he must effectively influence counterparts from diverse backgrounds to jointly contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate on gender equality. The Programme Officer Harmful Practices substantively contributes to the effective management of UNFPA activities in the area of gender equality and harmful practices, and in the implementation of the UNFPA Output areas under UNFPA programmes related to Harmful Practices. S/he analyses and assesses relevant political, social and economic trends and provides substantive inputs to project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks. The Programme Officer Harmful Practices compiles information, substantially contributes to various documentation and prepares analytical reports in his/her area of expertise S/he ensures and guides the appropriate application of systems and procedures and develops enhancements if necessary.  The Programme Officer Harmful Practices facilitates the work of consultants, advisors, and experts and establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues.

Major Activities/Expected Results

• In collaboration with Government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs and other partners, contributes substantively to the formulation and design of programmes on ending child marriage and other harmful practices in line with UNFPAs strategic plan and global program approaches on preventing and ending harmful practices. 
• Ensures quality of programme / project design and implementation incorporating lessons learned, newly developed policies and good practices and implements UNFPA CPAP and donor program monitoring requirements and systems including preparation of Work plan monitoring reports, standard progress reports and other reports analyzing progress towards achievement of program results
• Provide technical and management support to implementing partners (IPs) to expedite the implementation of WP activities/ service contracts etc.; contribute to the planning and review of WP implementation, progress, challenges; ensure timely budget release to the IPs; follow up with IPs for the preparation and submission of quarterly financial and narrative  reports; monitor implementation and provide inputs for  quarterly and annual reports Analyzes and interprets the political, social and economic environment relevant to gender and harmful practices, and identifies opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. Keeps abreast of new policy developments and strategies analyzing policy papers, strategy documents, national plans and development frameworks, and prepares briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance coordination, and development frameworks.
• Expedites and coordinates project implementation establishing collaborative relationships with implementing partners, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies facilitating timely and efficient delivery of project inputs and addressing training needs of project personnel.
• Helps create and document knowledge about current and emerging gender/harmful practices issues, by analyzing programme, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and shares with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
• Assists advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events. Prepares donor reports and other documentation relevant to the UNFPA Output areas related to gender equality and Harmful Practices.
• Any other tasks as may be assigned by the UNFPA Representative from time to time.

Work Relations

The Programme Officer Harmful Practices facilitates the work of consultants, advisors, and experts and establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues.  S/he must effectively influence counterparts from diverse backgrounds to jointly contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate. The Programme Officer Harmful Practices is a substantive contributor to the programme team in the Country Office.

Internal contacts include the Representative, Deputy Representative/ Assistant Representative, the CO’s programme/ technical team, Regional Support Office staff and District Officers. 

External contacts include other UN agencies in country and specifically those involved with the UN JP Harmful Practices, and counterparts and partners in Country programme activities, including international NGOs, experts etc.

Job Requirements

Education:  

• Master’s Degree in Gender and Development and/or other related social science field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five years of professional experience in the field of gender and development, preferably in programme/ project management.
• Good analytical skills and ability to understand and adapt to complex socio cultural backgrounds;
• Excellent knowledge of the government system and its functions, particularly related to gender equality and social inclusion, 
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and team working skills and ability to establish harmonious working relations with other UN agencies, I/NGOs and most importantly with the government of Nepal systems;
• Demonstrated capability of good understanding of technical cooperation in Gender mainstreaming  including humanitarian preparedness and response;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages; 
• Experience in gender-related data management, analysis and meaningful interpretation;
• Experience in report writing;
• Willingness to undertake duty travel in rural areas;
• Courtesy, tact and the ability to function in a multicultural work environment.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationship
• Communicating for impact

Functional Skill Set:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and Nepali is required.