Gender Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to the vision of equality as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. The organization focuses on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving gender equality in various sectors including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women operates in multiple countries, including Syria, where it has been active for several years, particularly in enhancing women's participation in the political process and providing humanitarian support to women and girls in need. The organization collaborates with Syrian authorities and various partners to implement its triple mandate effectively.

Job Overview:
The Gender Specialist position at UN Women entails providing strategic guidance on advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across various mandate areas. This includes focusing on women's leadership, protection, economic empowerment, governance, and Women, Peace and Security. The role is crucial in supporting program development, engaging in evidence-based policy discussions, and fostering partnerships to ensure that gender equality commitments translate into tangible results. The Gender Specialist will report to the Head of Programme and is responsible for delivering high-quality technical support, leading gender analysis, and contributing to the formulation and review of program documents. The position also involves capacity-building initiatives for partners and staff, as well as producing gender-related knowledge products.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Gender Specialist will design and develop program strategies for the Syria Programme, formulate project proposals, and draft inputs for country strategy documents. They will manage the implementation of the Syria programme, including finalizing the annual workplan and budget, overseeing technical implementation, and ensuring synergies with other teams. The Specialist will also manage technical assistance and capacity development for project partners, monitor program implementation and finances, and write reports focusing on results and outcomes. Additionally, the role involves managing financial resources, developing partnerships, and supporting resource mobilization strategies. The Specialist will contribute to inter-agency coordination, provide technical support to senior management, and manage advocacy and communication efforts related to the Syria Programme.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a 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 combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification is considered an advantage. The role requires strong program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as knowledge of Results Based Management and gender-responsive programming. Candidates should also have strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize program performance data for informed decision-making.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may suffice. A project/programme management certification is a plus, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects. Technical experience in gender-responsive programming is essential. Candidates should be proficient in using computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, and have experience with web-based management systems. Experience in coordinating with government agencies and donors is desirable, as is familiarity with the UN System and modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position does not currently involve supervisory responsibilities, but this may change with future program expansion. The role is full-time and based in Damascus, Syria. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct. Background checks will be conducted to verify academic credentials and employment history, and candidates must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification.