Consultant for Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response Unit

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 efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues. UN Women operates in various countries, including Afghanistan, where it has been active for two decades. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering them, and ensuring their equal participation in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women Afghanistan has five key program priorities: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s Movement Building, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Private Sector, and Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. The organization has a main office in Kabul and five sub-offices in Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar, reflecting its commitment to supporting Afghan women and girls amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide interim leadership support to the Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response Unit of UN Women in Afghanistan. This role is crucial in the context of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where women and girls face significant challenges due to restrictions on their access to education, health, and public spaces. The consultant will be responsible for leading the transition from the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group (GiHA WG) to a new Gender Coordination Group (GCG), which will address both Basic Human Needs and humanitarian areas of work. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), Inter-Cluster Coordination Team (ICCT), and local GCGs, to ensure gender analysis and mainstreaming in humanitarian responses. The role also involves providing technical, advisory, and programmatic support to enhance UN Women’s programming during emergencies and to address access challenges faced by the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities include providing leadership and secretariat support to the GCG, ensuring its operationality across Afghanistan, and leading outreach to Basic Human Needs actors. The consultant will finalize the 2026 GCG work plan and lead monthly meetings with humanitarian actors. They will provide capacity-building support to the Humanitarian Country Team, ICCT, and clusters, ensuring that at least ten trainings are delivered to cluster partners and frontline responders. The consultant will also develop data-driven knowledge products, monitor access constraints faced by partners, and provide guidance on engagement with de facto authorities. Additionally, the consultant will support the implementation of UN Women’s engagement strategy and ensure that gender issues are integrated into humanitarian action.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as human rights, gender, international relations, or international development. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The position requires at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing humanitarian programs, particularly focusing on gender and protection in emergencies. Technical experience in inter-agency coordination, especially related to gender, is essential, along with experience in building partnerships with de facto authorities, governments, donors, and civil society organizations. Experience in complex humanitarian contexts and familiarity with UN operations are desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as human rights, gender studies, international relations, international development, or social sciences 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and management, with a strong emphasis on gender and protection in emergencies. Candidates should have technical experience in inter-agency coordination, particularly in gender-related contexts, and experience working with de facto authorities and various stakeholders in complex humanitarian settings.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and considered an asset for the position.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based, requiring in-person presence for field travel and coordination meetings. The consultant will need to travel to Kabul and potentially to provinces based on emergencies, with a maximum of three trips to Kabul anticipated. The position is full-time, and candidates should be prepared for rigorous reference and background checks as part of the selection process. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.