Country Representative

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 and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates 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 has a global presence, working in multiple countries to promote gender equality and women's rights.

Job Overview:
The Country Representative for UN Women in Guatemala is responsible for leading and managing the Guatemala Country Office (CO) portfolio. This role involves translating UN Women's Strategic Plan into actionable development initiatives and results that align with regional and national priorities. The Country Representative will develop, implement, and manage programs and projects while fostering effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and donors. The position requires a strategic approach to program planning, ensuring that gender equality and women's empowerment are integrated into all initiatives. The representative will also be accountable for reporting on contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and will work closely with the UN Country Team (UNCT) to ensure that gender issues are prioritized in all UN programming processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the strategic country programme planning and development, including the design and implementation of the Country Strategic Note in collaboration with various stakeholders.
• Lead the Guatemala Country Office, ensuring operational goals are met, overseeing program work plans, and managing personnel performance.
• Support the Resident Coordinator and serve as a member of the UN Country Team, integrating gender equality into UN programming processes.
• Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums and advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Develop and manage resource mobilization strategies, establishing relationships with stakeholders and donors.
• Lead knowledge management and capacity building initiatives within the CO.
• Oversee the safety and security of personnel and organizational assets.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

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 advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate excellent program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as strong people management abilities in a multicultural environment. They must also have a deep understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment issues.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in development-related fields, economics, public policy, or social sciences is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A project/programme management certification is a plus.

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

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset, with working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese being particularly beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The position involves leading a team of 40, including 5 direct reports and 4 affiliate personnel. The role is full-time and may require international recruitment. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct.