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 is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving 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 operates in multiple countries and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that respects mutual respect and equality. The organization has a strong presence in Rwanda, where it supports the country's remarkable progress in gender equality, including a high representation of women in Parliament. UN Women collaborates with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations, and international partners, to advance gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Country Representative for UN Women in Rwanda is responsible for leading and managing the Rwanda Country Office (CO) portfolio, translating UN Women's Strategic Plan into development initiatives aligned with regional and national priorities. This position involves co-creating solutions and developing effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and bilateral and non-traditional donors. The Country Representative will oversee the strategic planning and development of the country program, ensuring that gender equality and women's empowerment issues are integrated into UN programming processes. The role requires providing substantive advice to senior management, managing the quality of results-based programming, and ensuring compliance with UN Women’s regulations and policies. The Country Representative will also represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums and lead advocacy strategies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in alignment with national priorities and international frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the strategic country programme planning and development, including the design, planning, formulation, and development of the Country Strategic Note in consultation with stakeholders.
• Provide substantive advice to senior management on regional strategy and programming.
• Lead the monitoring of results-based management approaches to program planning and design.
• Oversee the delivery of operational goals and ensure compliance with UN Women’s regulations.
• Manage the preparation of mandated country reports and oversee audit processes.
• Ensure effective workforce planning and timely recruitment, providing performance feedback and career development support to personnel.
• Promote teamwork and ensure a respectful, inclusive, and safe work environment.
• Serve as a member of the UN Country Team, collaborating on programming and advocacy to integrate gender issues into UN processes.
• Build relationships with high-level government officials and stakeholders to advance gender equality initiatives. 1
• Lead resource mobilization strategies and manage donor relationships, ensuring timely reporting and accountability. 1
• Promote knowledge management and capacity building within the CO. 1
• Oversee safety and security measures for personnel and organizational assets. 1
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or social sciences is required.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Project/programme management certification (e.g., PMP®, PRINCE2®, MSP®) is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience, including strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level.
• Experience in gender and women's issues programming at the international level, preferably in developing countries.
• Field-based experience working with multicultural teams is required.
• Proven experience in leading and coaching staff in international settings.
• Proficiency in using office software and web-based management systems is required.
• Experience with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or other social science fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® would be considered an added advantage.

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

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 is full-time and involves leading a team of 12 people, including 5 direct reports. The Country Representative will operate in a matrix management model, reporting to both the UN Women Regional Director and the UN Resident Coordinator. The role requires a commitment to UN Women’s values and policies, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. 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.