Programme Management Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four 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 works in numerous countries, including Sudan, where it aims to ensure that women and girls experience greater peace, safety, and prosperity through targeted humanitarian responses and inclusive economic growth. UN Women Sudan's strategic initiatives are supported by partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society organizations, to enhance the effectiveness of its programs.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Specialist is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the management and implementation of all programs within UN Women Sudan. This role involves planning, implementing, and managing the UN Women Sudan program portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and Gender Equality Accelerators. The specialist will work closely with program and operations teams, government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors, and civil society to ensure successful program implementation. The position requires a strong focus on gender-responsive design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, implementation, and monitoring, as well as the ability to provide strategic guidance and technical advisory services to project teams. The specialist will also lead efforts to build partnerships, enhance capacity development, and ensure effective resource mobilization to sustain program delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of programs on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE), conducting context and needs assessments to inform program design.
• Direct the planning, coordination, and execution of all Country Office programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and managing program progress, budgets, and risks.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with national partners to support the implementation and expansion of GEWE initiatives.
• Lead the monitoring and reporting of programs/projects, ensuring compliance with UN Women standards and donor requirements.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of qualified program staff, establishing roles and performance expectations.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with government agencies, civil society, and UN agencies to align funding priorities and programmatic goals.
• Serve as the focal point for integrating UN Women’s humanitarian, development, and peace mandates into inter-agency processes.
• Design and implement advocacy strategies to advance gender equality and women's empowerment, representing UN Women in relevant meetings and policy dialogues.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, 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 (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects is required.
• Technical experience in GEWE is required, along with experience coordinating with government agencies and/or donors.
• Experience working in the UN System and in leading/managing a team is desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience. A project/programme management certification is considered an advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects. Technical experience in gender equality and women's empowerment is essential, as well as experience in coordinating with government agencies and donors. Experience within the UN System and in team leadership or management is also desirable.

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.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve supervisory responsibilities, including direct supervision of Portfolio Programme Managers and other staff. The incumbent will be expected to exercise significant independent judgment on program management decisions and will be involved in high-level strategic discussions. UN Women promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.