Programme Management Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization provides corporate advisory services and direct support for project and program lifecycle development and implementation across its various offices, including Headquarters, Regional Offices, and Country Offices. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Consultant will play a crucial role within the UN Women Programme Support Management Unit (PSMU), which is responsible for guiding and supporting the organization in project and program lifecycle management. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Chief of PSMU and the direct supervision of the Head of the Programme Management Office (PMO). The primary functions of this position include conducting organizational efforts to professionalize project and program management standards, practices, and capacities, particularly in areas such as Donor Reporting, Joint Programming, and Strategic Note Direct Funding (SDNF) work. The consultant will also be involved in the development and implementation of the Performance and Results Integrated System (PRISM), which aims to unify project planning, monitoring, reporting, and management functions. This role requires strong coordination, analytical, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to design and implement effective project management strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide coordination support to Joint Programming Life Cycle, including technical support as part of a joint help desk and contributing to the development of a repository for global monitoring of joint programmes.
• Provide technical support and coordination to UN Women Donor Reporting, leading global coordination and monitoring efforts, conducting reviews and updates on internal systems, and leading capacity building efforts.
• Monitor the implementation of Strategic Note Direct Financing (SNDF) guidance, supporting the development of relevant procedures and leading capacity building efforts.
• Provide technical support in implementing UN Women programming policies and procedures, including social and environmental standards, and lead capacity building efforts in this area.
• Act as PRISM business/process coordinator for Programme and Project Management (PPM) policies, defining business requirements and acceptance criteria for PRISM, and leading corporate capacity-building efforts.
• Collaborate with the Quantum PPM Consultant on PRISM, identifying and prioritizing business-driven change requests and coordinating user acceptance testing.
• Support work around the Project Life Cycle and special assignments as required, providing technical and advisory support, as well as capacity building related to the project life cycle.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Certifications such as PRINCE2® Practitioner, Project Management Professional (PMP®), and Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) Practitioner are considered assets. Candidates must demonstrate strong coordination and analytical skills, as well as the ability to design, implement, monitor, and report on projects and programmes effectively.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender. A first-level university degree may be accepted in combination with additional qualifying experience. Relevant certifications in project management are also advantageous.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, and coordination support is required. Candidates should have international development experience, preferably focused on programme and project management and gender equality at various levels. Technical experience in Donor Reporting, UN Joint Programmes Management, and management of Direct and Flexible Funding is an asset. Experience in project oversight and coordination, as well as familiarity with ERP systems for Project and Programme Management, is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of any other UN official language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this role.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with potential for in-person training as needed. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. UN Women 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. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.