Programme Manager

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues. The organization operates globally, with a significant presence in Afghanistan for over two decades, addressing the unique challenges faced by Afghan women and girls, particularly in the context of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and political instability.

Job Overview:
The Programme Manager will lead, plan, implement, and manage UN Women’s Policy and Research team in Afghanistan. This role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including UN Women’s programme and operations teams, regional offices, and international partners. The Programme Manager will oversee the Policy and Research Unit, focusing on political analysis, gender data, and advocacy related to the Women, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (WPS) agenda. The position requires strategic leadership to ensure that Afghan women's voices are amplified in policy discussions and that their needs are prioritized in UN Women’s programming. The Programme Manager will also be responsible for managing the monitoring and reporting of the Unit’s activities, ensuring alignment with results-based management tools, and contributing to resource mobilization strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Policy and Research Unit, overseeing the production of political analysis and gender data related to the WPS agenda.
• Draft policy briefs and analytical papers to elevate Afghan women's voices in policy discussions.
• Organize consultations with stakeholders to gather inputs for strategic partnerships and program priorities.
• Build and manage relationships with strategic partners, including UN entities and civil society organizations.
• Oversee the design and formulation of new policy initiatives and strengthen existing programs within the WPS framework.
• Manage the monitoring and reporting of the Unit’s activities, including preparing donor reports.
• Advise on partnerships and resource mobilization strategies, analyzing donor opportunities.
• Provide technical support for inter-agency coordination and policy engagement related to WPS.
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues to advance women's rights. 1
• Manage the financial resources of the Policy & Research Unit, including budget development and staff performance management.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Project/programme management certification (e.g., PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) is an advantage.
• Strong writing skills and ability to synthesize program performance data.
• Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management and policy analysis related to WPS.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender studies, or international development. A first-level university degree combined with additional qualifying experience may also be considered. Certification in project or programme management is a plus.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects is required. Experience in coordinating with government agencies and donors is desirable, as is experience working within the UN System and managing a team.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working in a complex and challenging environment. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.