Specialist, Governance and Leadership

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 resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM, which focused on gender equality. UN Women operates globally, advocating for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. The organization emphasizes women's rights to participate in political and public life, which is essential for achieving gender equality and inclusive societies. UN Women collaborates with government partners and stakeholders to advocate for legislative reforms and support civil society organizations in building skills to influence governance processes.

Job Overview:
The Specialist, Governance and Leadership will work under the guidance of the Country Representative and will be responsible for leading a program team focused on governance and leadership initiatives. The role involves analyzing policy options, developing programs, providing technical support to national partners, and managing inter-agency coordination. The Specialist will engage with policymakers and stakeholders to promote gender equality in governance and leadership, ensuring women's fair access to political spheres. The position requires designing and delivering research, preparing analytical reports, and providing policy recommendations to enhance governance frameworks. The Specialist will also manage program implementation, monitor progress, and report on outcomes, ensuring alignment with UN Women’s strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the analysis of policy options to develop solutions to critical governance issues.
• Provide policy recommendations and guidance for strategic planning in governance and leadership.
• Design and deliver research, develop analytical reports, and present findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with national bodies and interagency groups to influence national policies.
• Engage with the public and media to explain policies and gain support.
• Manage the development of governance and leadership programs, providing technical support to national partners.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to support program implementation and address challenges.
• Establish monitoring systems for program results and prepare progress reports.
• Manage program budgets and office operations, ensuring compliance with UN Women procedures. 1
• Supervise and coach program staff, overseeing recruitment processes as necessary. 1
• Participate in country-level assessments and provide guidance to the UN Country Team. 1
• Develop resource mobilization strategies and partnerships to support program initiatives. 1
• Manage knowledge sharing and communications advocacy to disseminate best practices and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment principles.
• Expertise in governance and leadership frameworks.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative policy research.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in program development and implementation.
• Proven ability to advocate for policy changes and provide strategic advice.
• Familiarity with results-based management and reporting processes.
• Experience in fundraising and identifying opportunities for resource mobilization.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, international relations, 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 the advanced degree.

Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing governance programs and advocating for participation, ideally with experience in developing countries. Experience in program and policy analysis, strategic planning, and building partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society organizations is required. Familiarity with UN operations is desirable, as is experience working in Senegal. Proficiency in office software and web-based management systems is necessary, with experience in modern ERP systems being a plus.

Languages:
Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of race, gender, or other characteristics. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification.