Country Representative

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women 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. The organization works in various countries, including Zimbabwe, where it collaborates with 25 UN agencies, funds, and programs to support national development priorities and frameworks, such as the Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-2026).

Job Overview:
The Country Representative for UN Women in Zimbabwe is responsible for leading and managing the Zimbabwe Country Office (CO) portfolio. This role involves translating UN Women's Strategic Plan into development initiatives that align with regional and national priorities. The Country Representative will develop, implement, and manage programs and projects, ensuring effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and donors. The position requires a strategic approach to country program planning and development, ensuring that gender equality and women's empowerment are integrated into all UN programming processes. The Country Representative will also provide substantive advice to senior management and oversee the quality of results-based programming for the CO.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Representative will manage the strategic country program planning and development, including leading the design and formulation of the Country Strategic Note in collaboration with various stakeholders. They will oversee the delivery of operational goals, manage the preparation of UN Women mandated country reports, and ensure compliance with UN Women’s regulations and policies. The representative will also serve as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in all UN programming processes. Additionally, they will represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums and build relationships with high-level government officials and other stakeholders. The role includes leading resource mobilization strategies, managing knowledge and capacity building initiatives, and ensuring the safety and security of personnel and organizational assets.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or social sciences. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® is an added advantage. Candidates should have excellent program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as strong people management skills in a multicultural environment. They must demonstrate results-oriented capabilities and the ability to develop detailed operational plans and budgets.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as development, economics, public policy, or social sciences. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience. Candidates with project/programme management certifications will have an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level. Experience in gender and women's issues programming, preferably within the UN system or in developing countries, is required. Field-based experience working with multicultural teams and leading and coaching staff in international settings is essential. Proficiency in using office software and web-based management systems is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position involves leading a team of 17 to 19 people, including four direct reports. The role is full-time and requires a commitment to UN Women’s values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.