Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to ensure that every woman and girl can exercise their rights and live up to their full potential. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in the workplace.

Job Overview:
The Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality, coherence, agility, and compliance of UN Women’s programs. This position is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and ensuring that all programmatic activities align with UN Women’s policies and procedures. The Specialist will lead the Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance (POQA) Unit, providing strategic direction and oversight while building the capacity of internal staff and external partners. The role involves monitoring, learning, and evaluation, as well as providing technical guidance and support to ensure effective program delivery. The Specialist will work closely with various teams, including procurement and finance, to ensure that program delivery remains efficient and compliant with organizational standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance Specialist include supporting the Integrated Work Plan process, ensuring compliance with corporate planning systems, analyzing and monitoring project progress, providing technical review and quality assurance for project documents, and facilitating internal advocacy for program objectives. The Specialist will also be responsible for budgeting and financial management, leading the application of Results-Based Management (RBM), coordinating monitoring and evaluation efforts, and building the capacity of program staff and implementing partners. Additionally, the role involves resource mobilization, partnerships, and donor engagement, as well as strengthening data collection and knowledge management systems. The incumbent will perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong expertise in design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation, particularly in fragile contexts. Excellent analytical skills are required to synthesize complex data into strategic insights. The Specialist should have strong coordination skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and ensure compliance and quality assurance in program implementation. Effective communication, networking, and advocacy skills are essential for engaging with diverse stakeholders. Knowledge of gender equality and human rights-based approaches is highly desirable, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Political or Social Science, Economics, International Development Studies, or Gender/Women's Studies 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 would be an added advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of progressive experience in international development, preferably in post-conflict or emergency settings. Experience in project and program management, including formulation and implementation in conflict environments, is essential. Extensive experience in program quality assurance, compliance, monitoring, and reporting is required, along with experience in writing resource mobilization proposals and concept notes.

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

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based with regular travel to Somalia, including Mogadishu and other field locations for monitoring and evaluation purposes. Travel is expected to be approximately one week per month, subject to program needs and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions. All travel costs will be covered by UN Women in accordance with its travel policy. The role may also involve relocation to Mogadishu if required. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs.