Programme Specialist, Women’s Economic Empowerment/Surging Women’s Employment

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 globally. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates in various countries, including Jordan, where it supports national strategies aimed at improving women's rights and empowerment. The organization is committed to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, promoting their empowerment, and achieving gender equality as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women Jordan Country Office works closely with the government and other stakeholders to implement initiatives that align with national and international commitments, including the National Strategy for Women in Jordan (2020-2025) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment/Surging Women’s Employment will play a crucial role in advancing women's economic empowerment in Jordan and the MENA region. This position is part of the EU-funded programme aimed at supporting women's employment through gender-responsive private sector development. The Programme Specialist will be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions related to the Surging Women’s Employment initiative, which seeks to increase women's employment in strategic sectors such as Climate-Smart Agri-Export, Childcare & Elderly Care, and STEM fields. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and private sector partners, to ensure successful programme implementation and alignment with national policies and strategies. The Programme Specialist will also lead efforts to generate employment opportunities for women, contributing to the broader Economic Modernization Vision of Jordan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and develop programme strategies in Women’s Economic Empowerment, including drafting proposals and inputs for country strategy documents.
• Manage the implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment programme, including finalizing workplans and budgets, overseeing technical implementation, and ensuring synergies with other teams.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity development to project partners, identifying needs and coordinating training initiatives.
• Monitor and report on programme implementation, writing quarterly and donor reports focused on results and outcomes.
• Manage financial resources, including budgeting and drafting financial reports, while supervising Programme Analysts and Technical Specialists.
• Build partnerships and develop resource mobilization strategies, analyzing donor opportunities and preparing briefs.
• Contribute to inter-agency coordination on Women’s Economic Empowerment, ensuring alignment with other partners' efforts.
• Manage advocacy and communication efforts, developing strategies and knowledge management products related to Women’s Economic Empowerment.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. 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 is considered an advantage. Candidates should have strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as knowledge of Results Based Management. They should be able to develop operational plans and budgets, synthesize performance data, and produce analytical reports. A strong understanding of Women’s Economic Empowerment and the Jordanian economy is essential, along with networking skills and the ability to lead strategy formulation and implementation.

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

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects focused on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Technical experience in this area is required, along with experience in leading and coaching staff. Proficiency in using office software and web-based management systems is necessary, as is experience coordinating with government agencies and donors. Experience working with the private sector on employment generation and in sectors such as the green economy is also required. Familiarity with the UN System is desirable, as is experience with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve leading a team of 4-5 personnel. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are based on qualifications and competence. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.