Regional Humanitarian Action and Resilience Specialist

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 the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization 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. UN Women is committed to integrating gender equality into humanitarian action and resilience efforts, working closely with various stakeholders, including UN system partners, national institutions, and civil society organizations, to ensure accountability and coherence in addressing gender equality in humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Job Overview:
The Regional Humanitarian Action and Resilience Specialist is responsible for leading UN Women’s humanitarian and disaster risk reduction (DRR) technical programming across the West and Central Africa region. This role involves significant independent professional judgment in designing regional strategies, providing authoritative technical guidance to multiple Country Offices, and representing UN Women in inter-agency humanitarian coordination mechanisms. The Specialist will manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across approximately 24 countries, navigating politically sensitive and rapidly evolving humanitarian contexts. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure that humanitarian responses address the root causes of vulnerability, build resilience, and support inclusive recovery and peacebuilding, with a focus on women and girls. The incumbent will lead the development of regional strategies and programs, oversee the implementation of UN Women’s Humanitarian Core Commitments, and ensure alignment with the UN Women Global Strategic Plan and the WCARO Regional Strategic Note.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of regional strategies and programs on humanitarian action and DRR, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and regional frameworks.
• Manage the formulation and review of regional program documents, ensuring coherence with humanitarian response frameworks.
• Oversee the contextualization and localization of program documents and ensure systemic monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian action and DRR programs.
• Lead the design of humanitarian action and DRR programs, providing policy recommendations and guidance.
• Represent UN Women in inter-agency groups influencing policies related to humanitarian action and DRR.
• Provide technical support and capacity development to Country Office teams and partners, including developing tools and training on gender equality in humanitarian action.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with stakeholders and advise Country Offices on resource mobilization strategies.
• Lead inter-agency coordination on gender in humanitarian action and represent UN Women in relevant forums.
• Develop and implement strategic communication and advocacy messages during emergency responses. 1
• Lead knowledge management and institutional learning for enhanced contributions of women to humanitarian and DRR planning processes.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge and experience related to current policies and practices in gender equality, protection, humanitarian action, and DRR.
• Strong networking skills and ability to interact with donors.
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative policy research and advocate for policy advice.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to write policy papers and briefings.
• Knowledge of program development, implementation, results-based management, and reporting.

Educational Background:
A 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 the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing humanitarian or DRR programs, particularly focusing on gender and protection in emergencies and resilience. Technical experience in inter-agency coordination, preferably in protection cluster coordination, is required. Experience in policy analysis and strategic planning is also necessary, along with experience in building partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society organizations internationally and in the field. Experience working with the UN and in the region is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in French and English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official working language is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve working in politically sensitive and rapidly evolving humanitarian contexts. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations. 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.