Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist position at UN Women is pivotal in planning, implementing, and managing interventions related to Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) within the organization’s portfolio. The role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including government officials, multi and bilateral donors, and civil society, to ensure successful implementation of UN Women programs. The Programme Specialist is responsible for designing and developing program strategies, formulating project proposals, managing the implementation of the WPS program, and ensuring alignment with the New Policing Model in Somalia. This includes integrating gender perspectives into training curricula for the Somali Police Force and advocating for an enabling environment for female police officers. The position requires a strong focus on results-based management, monitoring and reporting, and building partnerships to enhance resource mobilization efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Specialist include designing and developing program strategies in the area of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), formulating program/project proposals, managing the implementation of the WPS program, and finalizing annual work plans and budgets. The specialist will oversee the technical implementation of the program, manage financial and narrative reporting from implementing partners, and provide guidance on results-based management tools. Additionally, the role involves managing technical assistance and capacity development for project partners, monitoring program implementation and finances, and writing quarterly and donor reports. The Programme Specialist will also develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies, coordinate inter-agency efforts, and manage advocacy and knowledge-building initiatives related to WPS.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Programme Specialist position must possess a strong background in program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. They should have a solid understanding of results-based management and the ability to synthesize program performance data into analytical reports. Knowledge of Women, Peace, and Security issues, women's political participation, and security sector reform is essential. The role requires strong analytical skills to identify trends and develop fundraising strategies, as well as effective communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification would be considered an added advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects. Technical experience in Women, Peace, and Security is required, along with proficiency in using computers and office software packages such as MS Word and Excel. Experience in coordinating with government agencies and donors is desirable, as is experience working within the UN system.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, while fluency in Somali is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The Programme Specialist position is a full-time role that may involve international recruitment. UN Women emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.