State Coordinator (Bihar) for Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) – Patna, India!

The UN invites applications for the position of State Coordinator for the Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) initiative in Patna, India. In this full-time role, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community while working under a Local Service Contract. With an initial contract duration of one year, this position is renewable based on project fund availability. To qualify, candidates should hold a Master’s degree with five years of experience or a Bachelor’s degree with seven years of relevant experience. Proficiency in English is essential, and a good command of Hindi will enhance effectiveness.

Take action and apply before February 2, 2025! This is a chance to contribute to a vital cause while advancing your career in a supportive environment. By joining the UN team, you will play a crucial role in improving the lives of women in Bihar. Don’t wait—this vacancy is open for just two weeks!

Abstract Job Description for the State Coordinator

Background:

UN Women actively eliminates discrimination against women and girls, aligning with the United Nations Charter. The organization empowers women and promotes equality between genders as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian efforts, and peace.

Key Concerns

Gender equality and women’s empowerment play vital roles in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agenda aims for a more equitable and sustainable world. Two key concerns include ending violence against women and promoting women’s economic empowerment. These issues appear in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 8, and 11. Progress depends on effective government policies, an enabling environment, and the active involvement of various stakeholders.

Integrated Strategies

UN Women champions integrated strategies to ensure all women and girls live free from violence. Gender-based violence (GBV) occurs in different contexts and disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups. Violence against women (VAW) represents a serious violation of human rights. It has far-reaching consequences, impacting health, legal systems, and economic productivity. This violence transcends boundaries such as age, class, and geography.

Support in India

In India, UN Women plays a pivotal role in eliminating violence and discrimination against women. The organization showcases effective prevention and response models. It enhances gender equality initiatives through partnerships with governments, civil society, and the private sector. These initiatives strengthen legal frameworks, improve services for survivors, and promote grassroots prevention efforts. Furthermore, UN Women India focuses on gathering data and generating knowledge related to VAW to reshape gender norms and attitudes.

Project Overview

UN Women India implements a donor-funded project titled “Gender Equality Xcelerate: Transformative Pathways towards Gender Justice.” This four-year project runs from 2024 to 2027. It aims to enhance women’s leadership across economic, social, and political spheres in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, and Bihar.

Intended Outcomes of the Project

• Accelerate Institutional Impact: UN Women enhances its influence on advancing gender equality through outcome-driven advocacy efforts.
• Prioritize Investments: Government and non-government stakeholders focus on, monitor, and evaluate gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) investments at the grassroots level.
• Transform Norms and Mechanisms: Transform social norms, strengthen response mechanisms, and empower stakeholders to create a survivor-centric environment by effectively utilizing the Nirbhaya Funds.

UN Women will actively work to end violence against women in three states: Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Bihar. In this effort, UN Women is looking for a State Coordinator (Bihar) for the Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) program. This coordinator will operate under the direction of the Country Programme Manager, EVAW, to confront gender-based violence in the state. To accomplish this, the State Coordinator will need to collaborate closely with the Department of Women and Child and other relevant line departments.

Moreover, under the overall direction of the Country Program Manager (EVAW) at UN Women India, the State Coordinator will offer technical assistance to the state government in addressing violence against women. In addition, the State Coordinator will team up with the project staff to ensure that the project achieves the necessary quality standards while adhering to established timelines and budget constraints.

Functions of the State Coordinator

The State Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

Strengthening Coordination and GBV Efforts at the State Level

• Functions of the State Coordinator
• Strengthening Coordination and GBV Efforts at the State Level
• Establish Coordination Mechanisms: The State Coordinator will enhance coordination among key departments to promote gender-based violence (GBV) initiatives.
• Provide Technical Expertise: The State Coordinator will support nodal departments in setting up and monitoring GBV mechanisms.
• Issue Guidelines: The State Coordinator will develop and issue guidelines for line departments to implement GBV initiatives effectively.
• Oversee UNW Projects: The State Coordinator will oversee additional UN Women projects in the state.

Research and Documentation

The state coordinator will perform these duties:

• Map Key Stakeholders: Will conduct mapping and documentation of state nodal departments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders engaged in the feminist ecosystem focused on GBV.
• Situational Analysis: Perform a state-specific analysis of GBV initiatives to assess the current status.
• Develop Action Plans: Support the state government in creating a State Action Plan on GBV.
• Disseminate Knowledge: Will document and share resources and knowledge products on GBV, including case studies and best practices.

Functions of the State Coordinator

Facilitating Training and Capacity Development

• Develop Training Materials: Create or compile training tools, manuals, and resources on gender-based violence.
• Conduct Training Needs Assessments: Collaborate with the nodal department and training institutions to assess needs and develop a capacity-building strategy and training calendar.
• Monitor Training Outcomes: Evaluate training program effectiveness through pre- and post-assessments and prepare comprehensive reports.

Implementation of the Project at the State Level

• Coordinate with Partners: Collaborate with project partners and UN Women officials. This ensures timely completion of deliverables and periodic reports on gender-based violence.
• Engage State Departments: Work closely with the Women and Child Development Department. Additionally, involve other line departments to keep them informed about project activities.
• Build Partnerships: Develop relationships with feminist publication houses. At the same time, gather short stories from writers focused on gender-based violence.

Reporting and Monitoring

• Prepare Progress Reports: Submit timely progress reports to the supervisor. This keeps them updated on project status.
• Conduct Monitoring Visits: Provide oversight for related projects. Conduct monitoring visits as needed.

Events and Awareness

• Organize Creative Labs: Facilitate events for journalists, artists, and filmmakers. This encourages the production of knowledge products that address gender-based violence.
• Support Policy Dialogues: Help organize policy dialogues. Furthermore, develop briefs based on insights gained to inform stakeholders.
• Curate Gender Festivals: Facilitate the organization of festivals. These festivals will focus on gender-based violence issues and help raise awareness.
• Conduct Campaigns: Lead state and district-level campaigns. These campaigns will use arts, literature, film, and cultural events to engage the community in discussions.
• Generate Public Awareness: Support efforts to raise public awareness. Use vernacular languages to discuss the impact of violence against women and girls.

Capacity Building and Community Development

• Establish Community of Practice: Create a Community of Practice at the state level. This will help design robust projects on gender-based violence.
• Draft Proposals: Prepare proposals for accessing and utilizing the Nirbhaya Fund. This aims to effectively address gender-based violence.
• Build NGO Capacities: Enhance the capacities of state NGO partners. Focus on gender issues and initiatives aimed at ending violence against women.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform Additional Duties: Carry out any other tasks assigned by the supervisor. This supports project goals effectively.

Key Performance Indicators

The State Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

Strengthening Coordination and GBV Efforts at the State Level

• Establish Coordination Mechanisms: Enhance coordination among departments to promote gender-based violence (GBV) initiatives.
• Provide Technical Expertise: Support nodal departments in setting up and monitoring mechanisms for GBV.
• Issue Guidelines: Develop necessary guidelines for line departments to implement GBV initiatives.

Research and Documentation

• Map Key Stakeholders: Document state nodal departments and CSOs involved in the GBV ecosystem.
• Situational Analysis: Assess the current status of GBV initiatives in the state.
• Develop Action Plans: Assist the state government in creating a State Action Plan on GBV.

Facilitating Training and Capacity Development

• Develop Training Materials: Create training tools and manuals on GBV.
• Conduct Training Needs Assessments: Assess training needs with the nodal department to enhance capacity for GBV.
• Monitor Training Outcomes: Evaluate training effectiveness through assessments.

Implementation of the Project at the State Level

• Coordinate with Partners: Collaborate with project partners to ensure timely completion of deliverables related to GBV.
• Prepare Progress Reports: Submit reports to the supervisor on project status.
• Engage State Departments: Keep relevant departments informed and involved in GBV activities.
• Build Partnerships: Develop relationships with feminist publications and gather stories on GBV.
• Organize Creative Labs: Facilitate events for creators to produce knowledge products addressing GBV.

Key Performance Indicators

• Technical Support Provided: Ensure input and expertise are delivered to departments on GBV.
• State Action Plan Developed: Oversee the creation of an actionable State Action Plan for GBV.
• Institutional Mechanisms Implemented: Strengthen GBV initiatives through developed processes.
• Training Calendar Established: Create a training calendar to enhance capacity among state officials.
• Timely Reporting: Compile and submit reports to UN Women and the Government of Bihar regarding GBV initiatives.

Competencies

Core Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies for the State Coordinator

• Awareness and Sensitivity to Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

For more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework, please visit this link.

Functional Competencies

• Deep Understanding of Gender Issues: Possess excellent knowledge of gender challenges in the region.
• Strong Networking Skills: Build and maintain effective networks.
• Donor Interaction: Engage with donors while identifying and analyzing trends, opportunities, and threats related to fundraising.
• Research Abilities: Conduct both qualitative and quantitative policy research.
• Advocacy Skills: Advocate for and provide policy advice effectively.
• Analytical Skills: Showcase excellent analytical capabilities.
• Writing Proficiency: Write policy papers, speeches, and briefings clearly.
• Program Development Knowledge: Understand program development, implementation, results-based management, and reporting.

Education

• Master’s Degree: Hold a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Economics, Social Work, Gender Studies, Public Administration, Policy, or related fields.
• Alternative Qualification: A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted as a substitute for an advanced degree.

Experience

• Development Project Experience: Have at least 5 years of experience at the national or state level, focusing on development projects. Hands-on experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of projects, particularly on Gender-Based Violence, Gender Equality, and Women’s Empowerment, is preferred.
• Government Collaboration: Some experience working with national or state governments on gender issues, especially related to Gender-Based Violence, is desirable. State-specific experience is preferred.
• Assessment Experience: Undertake assessments, policy analysis, and capacity building for government officials.
• Computer Proficiency: Be proficient in using computers and office software (e.g., MS Word, Excel).

Language

• English Proficiency: State Coordinator must Demonstrate proficiency in English. A good command of Hindi is desirable.

Statements

• UN Women Establishment: In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly established UN Women, the entity dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment. This initiative was part of the UN reform agenda, aimed at consolidating resources and mandates for greater impact. It combines and builds upon the work of four previously distinct UN entities focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Commitment to Diversity: UN Women is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote individuals without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other legally protected basis. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational needs.
• Accommodations: If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
• Zero-Tolerance Policy: UN Women maintains a zero-tolerance policy against conduct that contradicts the values and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women. This includes sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates must adhere to UN Women’s policies and undergo rigorous reference and background checks, which include verifying academic credentials and employment history. Additional information may be required for background checks.

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APPLICATION LINK HERE

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