Project Management Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as 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 in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men in various sectors including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization is committed to supporting Afghan women and girls, particularly in the context of Afghanistan's complex humanitarian and economic challenges, and operates from its Country Office in Kabul with sub-offices in Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. UN Women Afghanistan focuses on five programmatic pillars: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s Civil Society, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Empowerment, and Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. The organization employs a diverse workforce dedicated to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The Project Management Specialist plays a crucial role in the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) of UN Women Afghanistan, providing technical leadership and quality assurance to the program units and sub-offices. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with UN Women policies while enhancing internal systems, risk management, and delivery performance across the Afghanistan Country Office. The specialist will oversee the selection and management of program partners, monitor project implementation and financial delivery, and provide technical support for corporate systems such as PGAMS, PRISM, and Quantum. The role also involves developing country-specific tools and checklists, ensuring that all processes align with UN Women’s standards and contribute to the overall mission of empowering women and girls in Afghanistan. The incumbent will report to the PMSU Manager and work under the guidance of the Deputy Country Representatives for Programmes and Operations, ensuring that all programmatic activities are executed effectively and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance on programme partner selection and agreement management, ensuring compliance with UN Women policies and procedures.
• Support the management of programme partners, ensuring quality assurance and completeness of documentation related to partner management across the Country Office portfolio.
• Conduct risk monitoring and capacity assessments, advising on partner performance management and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage the Local Programme Appraisal Committee (LPAC) processes, including organizing reviews, ensuring compliance with corporate timelines, and maintaining auditable documentation records.
• Provide quality assurance for entries in corporate systems (PGAMS, PRISM, Quantum), ensuring completeness and compliance of documentation related to partner agreements and donor projects.
• Develop and maintain standardized dashboards and tracking tools to monitor programme and financial delivery, consolidating data and presenting analysis to management.
• Adapt and compile guidance, templates, and tools tailored to ACO processes, identifying capacity gaps and designing targeted learning sessions.
• Maintain a structured knowledge repository and inform staff of updates to corporate policies and procedural changes.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, Gender, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) is an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment issues, particularly in the context of Afghanistan.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple processes and transactions effectively.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to extract, interpret, and present data clearly and effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender studies. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they possess two additional years of qualifying experience. A project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project management within an international organization or national non-governmental organization. This experience should include substantial involvement in programme partner management, oversight of donor-funded projects, and financial delivery monitoring. Demonstrated experience in applying organizational policies and compliance frameworks to programme partner agreement management and risk oversight processes is essential. Experience in financial monitoring, portfolio tracking, and analysis of programme delivery performance is required, along with experience in providing technical guidance and capacity development to multi-functional teams. Familiarity with web-based ERP systems such as Oracle Cloud/Quantum, PRISM, or similar platforms is highly desirable, as is experience in supporting or managing internal review bodies like appraisal committees or compliance committees. Experience in gender equality, women’s empowerment, or related thematic areas is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as well as fluency in Dari and/or Pashto. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the context of the role, particularly given the local environment and the target demographic of the programs.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is expected to be full-time. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or ability. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. 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.