Programme Manager

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization has been operational in Afghanistan for two decades, focusing on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, their empowerment, and achieving equality between genders. UN Women Afghanistan operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. The organization currently prioritizes integrated programming, women's movement building, policy and research, economic resilience, and humanitarian response, all informed by the political, economic, and humanitarian context of Afghanistan.

Job Overview:
The Programme Manager will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of integrated programming and localization across UN Women’s operations in Afghanistan. This role involves leading a team that includes Programme Specialists, Analysts, and Associates, as well as supervising the heads of sub-offices. The Programme Manager will work closely with the UN Women programme and operations team in Afghanistan, as well as with staff in the Regional Office in Bangkok and HQ in New York. The position requires a focus on developing integrated programme strategies that align with the UN Women Afghanistan Strategic Note and the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan. The Programme Manager will also be tasked with ensuring that programming is responsive to local priorities and that Afghan women's agency is central to all initiatives. This role is critical in ensuring the successful implementation of UN Women’s programming priorities and requires a strong commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for integrated programming, ensuring alignment with the ACO Strategic Note and programme review recommendations.
• Lead the design and formulation of integrated programme strategies, concept notes, and project proposals.
• Oversee the implementation of integrated programmes, ensuring timely delivery against approved workplans, budgets, and results frameworks.
• Ensure strong application of Results-Based Management (RBM) and risk management in a dynamic operational context.
• Prepare high-quality donor reports and contribute to UN Women reporting.
• Manage the people and financial resources of the Integrated Programming and Localization Unit portfolio.
• Provide high-level technical guidance to programme teams and partners on integrated approaches to programming.
• Build and manage relationships with strategic partners to support the implementation and expansion of UN Women’s integrated programming portfolio.
• Represent UN Women in relevant inter-agency forums related to integrated programming. 1
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender studies, social sciences, international development, humanitarian action, human rights, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A project/programme management certification (e.g., PMP) would be an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme design, implementation, and management at national and/or international levels is required.
• Demonstrated experience across at least two of the following areas: Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE), Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW), and/or Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) is required.
• Experience in leading/managing a team is required.
• Experience managing integrated or nexus programmes in complex or humanitarian settings is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is desirable. 1
• Experience working with the UN system is desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as gender studies, social sciences, international development, humanitarian action, human rights, or a related field. Alternatively, 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, is considered an advantage.

Experience:
The Programme Manager should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme design, implementation, and management at national and/or international levels. This experience should include demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas: Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE), Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW), and/or Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA). The candidate should also have experience in leading and managing teams, as well as managing integrated or nexus programmes in complex or humanitarian settings. Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, particularly Oracle Cloud, is desirable, along with experience in coordinating with government agencies and donors, and working within the UN system.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and would enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves significant responsibilities, including managerial and supervisory duties. The Programme Manager will lead an integrated programme team and will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, civil society, and government entities. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and competence. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.