Gender Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF has a strong presence in various countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities worldwide. The organization emphasizes a culture of belonging and growth, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Gender Programme Specialist position is a critical role within the UNICEF Syria Country Office, reporting to the Chief of Social and Behavior Change. The primary responsibility of this position is to serve as the main gender expert, providing technical guidance and operational support throughout all stages of programming. The specialist will facilitate the management and delivery of results that contribute to gender equality, aligning with the Gender Action Plan. This role involves close collaboration with program colleagues to advance targeted gender priorities, mainstream gender across sectors, and ensure effective measurement and reporting of gender results. The specialist will also assess gender needs for emergency preparedness and response, providing relevant guidance and technical input on emergency programming. The position is primarily technical and programmatic, with normative advocacy and coordination roles as secondary functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Gender Programme Specialist will be responsible for the following key functions:

• Management and delivery of gender programmes, ensuring alignment with the Gender Action Plan.
• Program development and planning, focusing on high-quality gender programming across sectors.
• Program management, monitoring, and delivery of results, including effective review and assessment of gender initiatives.
• Coordination and technical support for cross-sectoral collaboration on gender-related programmatic results.
• Advocacy, networking, and partnership building to promote gender equality initiatives.
• Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building to enhance gender programming effectiveness.
• Assessment and identification of gender needs for emergency preparedness and response, providing technical input on emergency programming.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Social Science, Sociology, Public Health, International Development, Social Policy, or related fields. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in Gender Development, Gender Equality, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Humanitarian Response. Strong skills in programme management, technical coordination, gender analysis, results monitoring, and strategic planning are essential. Professional communication skills are also required to effectively engage with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Social Science, Sociology, Public Health, International Development, or Social Policy. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and developing effective programming strategies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in areas such as Gender Development, Gender Equality, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Humanitarian Response. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing gender-related programs and initiatives, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (such as Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered desirable. This linguistic proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse contexts in which UNICEF operates.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Damascus, Syria. It is important to note that UNICEF promotes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights of every child and ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.