Deputy Country Representative

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly, aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women globally. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging the efforts of four distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, where it has been active for two decades. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders in various sectors, including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women Afghanistan focuses on addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by Afghan women and girls amidst the country's complex humanitarian crisis, which is characterized by conflict, poverty, and economic decline. The organization has five key program priorities: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s Movement Building, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Empowerment, and Coordination, Access, and Humanitarian Response. UN Women Afghanistan operates from its main office in Kabul and has five sub-offices in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Country Representative is a senior management position responsible for the day-to-day operations of the UN Women Afghanistan Country Office. Reporting directly to the Special Representative, the incumbent will play a crucial role in the design, implementation, management, and oversight of the country program. This position requires a strategic thinker who can ensure effective and efficient delivery of results aligned with UN Women’s Strategic Plan and the Afghanistan Country Office's plans. The Deputy Country Representative will manage a diverse program team, oversee program planning and monitoring, and ensure compliance with UN Women’s policies and procedures. The role also involves providing technical support and strategic direction, developing policy documents, and representing UN Women in various UN coordination meetings. The incumbent will be expected to foster partnerships, mobilize resources, and advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment at both national and international levels. This position is critical in ensuring that Afghan women and girls are at the center of the response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the program team, including finalizing the annual workplan and overseeing the implementation of programs.
• Lead the preparation of program implementation progress reports and identify areas for action by the UN Women Country Representative.
• Provide advisory and specialized technical support on the strategic direction of the office.
• Represent UN Women in UN system coordination, focusing on programming and collaboration with other UN agencies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government, partners, stakeholders, and donors to facilitate program development and resource mobilization.
• Advocate for UN Women’s mandate in various public relations events and meetings.
• Facilitate knowledge management and capacity building by sharing lessons learned and overseeing training activities.
• Supervise and coach personnel, ensuring alignment with UN Women’s performance management policy.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, public administration, public policy, or relevant social science fields 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 professional experience in development programs with a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment at the international level.
• Field-based experience working with multi-cultural teams and in conflict or post-conflict settings is required.
• Experience in leading and coaching staff in international settings is essential.
• Proficiency in using computers and office software packages, as well as web-based management systems, is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as international development, public administration, public policy, or other relevant social sciences. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience. A project/programme management certification is considered an added advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development programs, particularly in gender equality and women's empowerment. Candidates should have field-based experience working with diverse teams and in conflict or post-conflict environments. Experience in leading and coaching staff in international contexts is also necessary.

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 can enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and involves managing a team of 35 personnel, including 5 direct reports. The role is full-time and requires a commitment to UN Women’s values and policies, including a zero-tolerance approach to 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.