Background

Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. It is essential that Afghan women and girls can continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan.

UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has four key programme priorities: (1) Gender in Humanitarian Action, (2) Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW), (3) Women’s Economic Empowerment, and (4) Women, Peace and Security.

Under the overall guidance from the Country Representative and direct supervision from Deputy Country Representative, the Programme Specialist of the EVAW is responsible for implementation of the EVAW portfolio; providing advisory and programme development services to the Strategic programme direction, overseeing programme coordination and lead policy development. She/he will have budgetary and professional responsibility over programme. Engages with high level government representatives, civil society and donors on programme related issues and initiatives. Review s programme and donor reports. Leads high level advocacy initiatives and knowledge management. Provides guidance and vision on technical capacity development. The Programme Specialist is also responsible for ensuring synergies of various programmes and initiatives in the office, where applicable.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Design and develop programme strategies in the area of Ending Violence against Women (EVAW)

• Design and formulate programme/ project proposals and initiatives;
• Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to EVAW;

2. Manage the implementation and management of EVAW Projects

• Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
• Manage the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams;
• Manage the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Provide guidance to personnel and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;
• Organize Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed;

3. Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance. Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives;
• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the EVAW programme; respond to any potential problems;
• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners;

4. Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme/project

• Manage the monitoring of programme/project implementation and finances using results based management tools;
• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions;
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
• Contribute to office donor and UN Women reports;

5. Manage the people and financial resources of the EVAW programme

• Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;

• Supervise Programme Analysts and technical consultants;
• Mentor and coach personnel and conduct performance assessments;
• Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary;

6. Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization;
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing;

7. Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to EVAW;
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to EVAW as necessary;

• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on EVAW;

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and high quality conceptualization and design of the programme
• Programmes are implemented in line with work plan and budgets and are supported by high level technical support, reports and documents
• Strong relations with key partners and stakeholders, based on positive feedback on programme progress and implementation
• High quality reports prepared timely
• Regularly and high quality capacity development support to government and other stakeholders

Competencies

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society and donors
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Ability to lead teams and show conflict resolution skills
• Openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles, implementing partners and working in an international environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong understanding of the legal, social, cultural and political context of Afghanistan and its relation to gender

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or a related field is required
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Proven technical experience on Ending Violence against Women
• Experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, participating in programme development and programme writing
• Proficiency in the use of computer and office software packages
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies, civil society and/or donors is an asset;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
• Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Dari is required;
• Knowledge of Pashto is an asset.

Due to high sensitivities related to provision of protection services by Un Women Afghanistan Office to VAW survivors, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application:

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from Application and recruitment process | About us: Careers at UN Women | UN Women – Headquarters Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality, and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Inclusion Statement:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits employ, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)