Programme Specialist - Programme Support

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and works towards eliminating discrimination against women and girls. UN Women operates globally, with a focus on various regions including Europe and Central Asia, where it provides advisory services and direct support for project and programme development and implementation. The organization aims to enhance management and operational capacities through training, development of toolkits, and targeted support, ensuring that all projects and programmes align with UN Women's strategic goals. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, employing individuals regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or other characteristics, and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist - Programme Support will play a crucial role in promoting programmatic oversight and supporting the development, implementation, and monitoring of projects and programmes within the region. This position requires close collaboration with programme, project, and operations teams to ensure effective planning, execution, and reporting. The incumbent will provide advisory support on project management, ensuring quality control and strategic alignment. They will also be responsible for strengthening the capacities of project teams through tailored training programs and managing operational oversight to ensure adherence to project goals and standards. The role involves analyzing project budgets, preparing teams for audits, and facilitating communication across various units within UN Women. The Programme Specialist will also lead knowledge-building efforts by synthesizing best practices and lessons learned from project implementations, contributing to the overall effectiveness of UN Women's initiatives in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide advisory support and guidance on project and programme management, ensuring quality control and strategic alignment. Manage the monitoring of project implementation, including adherence to targets and resource utilization. Analyze project budgets and ensure alignment with logical frameworks. Prepare teams for audits and monitor the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Strengthen the capacities of project teams by assessing learning needs and designing tailored training programs. Provide targeted support for high-visibility projects and ensure effective partner management.
• Contribute to data analysis for the Regional Quarterly Business Review and establish monitoring standards for assessing progress. Facilitate communication and coordination across the office and ensure quality assurance for project documents.
• Manage knowledge-building efforts by identifying best practices and documenting capacity-building initiatives.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political/Development Studies, or a relevant discipline. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Certifications such as PRINCE2® Practitioner, Project Management Professional (PMP®), or Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) Practitioner are considered assets. Candidates should demonstrate strong project management skills and the ability to lead strategic planning and results-based management.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political/Development Studies. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience. Relevant certifications in project management are also advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, or change management. Experience in drafting high-quality proposals and reports for senior officials is essential. International development experience, particularly in project management and gender equality, is required, along with familiarity with international organizations and web-based management systems.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Istanbul, Turkey, and involves full-time engagement. The Programme Specialist will lead the ECA Regional Office PSMU unit and supervise two programme assistants. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, and candidates are encouraged to disclose any reasonable accommodations needed during the recruitment process. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks.