Crisis Response Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men. The organization has been active in Afghanistan for two decades, addressing the unique challenges faced by Afghan women and girls amidst one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. UN Women Afghanistan has five key program priorities: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s Movement Building, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Women’s Empowerment, and Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. The organization operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices in Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar, focusing on providing targeted support to women and girls affected by crises.

Job Overview:
The Crisis Response Specialist is a pivotal role within UN Women, responsible for leading and supporting emergency response efforts in Afghanistan. Reporting to the GiHA Coordination and Access Specialist, the incumbent will work closely with the Coordination, Access, and Humanitarian Response Team to enhance UN Women’s emergency response capabilities. This position involves scaling up emergency responses, representing UN Women in cluster meetings, gathering information on humanitarian needs, and coordinating responses during crises. The specialist will provide hands-on support to field offices, ensuring that Afghan women and girls receive the necessary assistance during emergencies. The role requires a proactive approach to developing preparedness measures, implementing emergency response programs, and fostering partnerships to ensure effective humanitarian assistance. The Crisis Response Specialist will also be responsible for mainstreaming emergency response strategies across UN Women’s work in Afghanistan, contributing to the overall mission of supporting women and girls in the context of ongoing humanitarian challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop preparedness measures for UN Women’s emergency response at national and field levels, including creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and action plans in collaboration with field offices and thematic units.
• Ensure that preparedness measures such as retainers, purchase orders, and standby partnerships are established prior to emergencies.
• Provide technical advice on emergency preparedness and support the implementation of these measures in the field.
• Organize and lead training sessions for staff and partners on emergency preparedness and response.
• Offer direct support during emergencies by conducting field missions to assess conditions and monitor response efforts.
• Identify resources for emergency responses, manage budgets, and establish plans for timely and effective assistance.
• Lead the planning and implementation of emergency responses, including cash assistance and the establishment of safe spaces for women and girls.
• Build and nurture partnerships with stakeholders to ensure principled humanitarian assistance and advocate for women's participation in assessments.
• Document challenges and gender-related constraints affecting program implementation and communicate these to management. 1
• Participate in humanitarian forums and maintain effective communication with key stakeholders. 1
• Contribute to the development of UN Women’s humanitarian updates and situation reports. 1
• Mainstream disaster prevention and response strategies into the country office's workplan and prepare technical reports on program implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender, international relations, international development, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, or other social science fields is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing emergency response programs, particularly focusing on gender and protection in emergencies.
• Experience in humanitarian coordination and familiarity with the cluster system is essential.
• Proven experience in building partnerships with de facto authorities, governments, donors, and civil society organizations is required.
• Experience in complex humanitarian and emergency contexts is necessary.
• Previous experience with UN Women in program implementation is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as human rights, gender studies, international relations, international development, international law, or other social sciences. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in emergency response design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and management, with a strong emphasis on gender and protection issues. Candidates should have experience in humanitarian coordination and the cluster system, as well as a proven track record of working with various stakeholders, including governments and civil society organizations, in complex humanitarian settings.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and is desirable for candidates.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and involves full-time engagement. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are 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. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.