Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, where it has been active for two decades. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving gender equality as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women’s mission is particularly crucial in Afghanistan, which is facing one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, where Afghan women and girls are among the most vulnerable populations. UN Women has established four key program priorities in Afghanistan: Gender in Humanitarian Action, Ending Violence Against Women, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist position at UN Women involves advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Afghanistan. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Programme Manager-WPS and will be responsible for developing risk management strategies for civil society partnerships, conducting research on gender trends, and enhancing monitoring and reporting systems for WPS program results. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including UN entities, donors, and civil society organizations, to ensure effective implementation of initiatives aimed at supporting Afghan women and girls. The consultant will also lead efforts to create technical tools and training initiatives, conduct participatory analysis sessions, and develop knowledge management strategies to amplify project outcomes. This position is critical in ensuring that Afghan women and girls can actively participate in shaping their country's development amidst ongoing challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake three main tasks: 1) Develop and implement risk management strategies for WPS program partners, including creating technical tools and providing capacity building and technical support. 2) Conduct research and context analysis of gender trends in Afghanistan, leading the development of regional gender profiles and utilizing digital tools for inclusive consultations with Afghan women. 3) Create monitoring and reporting plans for the WPS team, ensuring alignment with results-based management principles and contributing to donor and UN Women reports. Specific deliverables include drafting gender profiles, conducting background research, facilitating data collection, developing dissemination plans, and drafting reflection papers on technology use in political engagement with Afghan women.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects, with experience in the UN System being essential. Experience in organizing consultations and dialogues, managing risks related to WPS, and technical expertise in Women Peace and Security is desirable. Candidates should also have experience in coordinating with international partners and managing teams.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree if accompanied by additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience at the national or international level, particularly in the areas of project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Experience within the UN System is mandatory, along with a proven track record of facilitating meaningful consultations and dialogues with communities. Understanding risk management in the context of WPS and experience in leading teams are also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, along with fluency in Dari and/or Pashto. A working knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this position.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based, requiring active engagement with the WPS team and project partners. The working week in Afghanistan is Sunday to Thursday, and short-term missions to other provinces may be necessary, adhering to safety protocols. The position is governed by UN Women’s travel policy, and candidates must be prepared for rigorous reference and background checks as part of the selection process. UN Women promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.