Jamaican Women’s Political and Economic Empowerment:

The Way Out Project

Background

The Government of Jamaica through the Bureau of Women's Affairs (BWA) in collaboration with the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF), a local NGO, is the recipient of a grant from the Fund for Gender Equality of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

BWA is the state agency and national machinery for gender equality and women's empowerment. BWA has a mandate to act as a catalyst to ensure that Government addresses the problems that confront women and men disproportionately, given the impact of patriarchy and sexism. Its objective is to enable women and men to recognize their full potential as individuals and provide oversight for the full integration of a gender perspective into national development.

DRF, formerly the Mediation Council of Jamaica, was incorporated July 1994 to increase cooperation in the management and resolution of disputes involving business, the police, courts, social service agencies and the people, through the controlled process of mediation.

UN Women is the global champion for women and girls. Its

2010 establishment, applauded around the globe, offers a

historic opportunity to jump-start progress for women and

for societies. UN Women acts on the fundamental premise

that women and girls worldwide have the right to live a life

free of discrimination, violence and poverty, and that gender

equality is central to achieving development

The grant shall fund a project aimed at increasing the economic and political power of women and girls in Jamaica, by creating a sustainable and robust framework for implementing chief elements of the National Policy for Gender Equality (NPGE) and mainstreaming gender in the public and private sectors. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) will be used extensively as a vital component of the policy implementation and gender mainstreaming across all sectors.

We are currently seeking applicants for the position of Project Associate.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PROJECT ASSOCIATE

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as chief administrator for the project; manage the project agenda and prepare and manage the project calendar of commitments/meetings;

• Contribute to the procurement planning of the project with direct oversight of procurement procedures and processes;

• Support research and analysis and assist with the compilation and presentation of all reports;

• Assist with resource and financial planning throughout the project;

• Perform the buyer role in all administrative and office expenses and oversee asset management including the timely preparation and submission of periodic inventory reports, coordination of physical verification of inventory items;

• Oversee administrative matters related to human resource management;

• Support with protocol matters, registration of consultants, coordination with local authority visit of UN WOMEN representatives staff and other administrative matters;

• Maintain and update directory of contacts all BWA and DRF staff, stakeholders, participants/clients, Government, Consultants, Academia, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, private sector organizations, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations;

• Maintenance of data integrity and up-to-date e-mail group lists, mailing lists; etc.;

• Support the organization of logistics of workshops, training sessions and events ;

• Assist with the preparation of the budget, audits and other management reports. Handle all operational aspects of such meetings;

• Set up and maintain the PMU filing system, both hard-copy and computer-based, ensuring the proper indexing of correspondence and reports; archiving and managing project management software;

• Support to financial resources management through the implementation of the cost-recovery policy, income and expenditure tracking, etc;

• Implementation of the control mechanism for administrative services, maintenance of administrative control records such as commitments and expenditures;

• Perform general administrative support services including official travel, logistics, protocol (visas, etc), office supplies, etc;

• Contribute to the general operations of the project (including start-up and closing activities) and take on additional responsibilities as deemed necessary for the success of the project;

• Attend all meetings of the project team and committee.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the values and ethical standards of the implementing and funding agencies;

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the implementing and funding agencies;

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• Promotes a culture of knowledge sharing and learning culture;

• Uses information technology effectively as a tool and resource;

• Analytical skills – ability to make general analytical observations based on available data;

• Meticulous in executing background research and data compilation;

• Demonstrated capacity to produce high-quality products using Microsoft Office/Open Office software and project management software;

• Knowledge of, and experience with, clouding, online document sharing, social media, emerging online office management tools;

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• A Bachelors degree from a recognized institution is required with demonstrated research and analytical skills in one or more of the following fields: Business Administration, Management Studies, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Computer Science, Information Studies, etc.

Experience

• At least 5 years professional experience in research, procurement, business and customer relations, helpdesk services, knowledge management, information management or related activities;

• High level of computer literacy with project management and finance software, Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and ALL operating systems including Windows, Mac and Open Source;

• Proven conceptual analytical skills to conduct independent research and analysis of large volume of data, identifying problems, formulating options and recommendations;

• Excellent understanding of web applications, in particular Social Networking and Web 2.0;

• Experience in content management highly desirable, experience in web application design or development an asset.

Language

• Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing and communication skills;

• Fluency in English and ability to communicate in Jamaican Vernacular;

• Good inter-personal communication skills (i.e. ability to communicate well with end users, IT specialists and management, & including presentation in front of teams);

• Client-service attitude and sensitivity in communicating with clients.

Qualified Applicants: Please forward cover letter, CV and full contact information (telephone number, address and email) for three (3) references including at least one current or previous supervisor as PDF attachments to thewayoutproject@gmail.com with the title “UNWOMEN/BWA/DRF – The Way Out- Project Associate” before Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm.

Late submissions will not be considered.