Private Sector Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM, which focused on gender equality. 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 is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and operates in multiple countries, focusing on various initiatives such as the Surging Women’s Employment Flagship Initiative (SWEI) aimed at increasing women's employment in the Arab States region by 5% by 2030 through collaborative approaches across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The Private Sector Specialist role is pivotal in advancing the EU-funded programme 'Support to Women’s Employment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region through Gender-Responsive Private Sector Development' as part of the broader SWEI initiative. This position focuses on increasing decent employment opportunities for women by improving gender-responsive workplaces and fostering transformative partnerships with the private sector. The Specialist will work closely with UN Women’s country offices and provide technical support to 17 countries, ensuring that the implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) aligns with the goal of increasing women's employment by 5% before 203

• The role requires a strategic approach to partnership development, moving from transactional to value-creating collaborations with the private sector, and involves significant engagement with various stakeholders to achieve the initiative's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Private Sector Specialist will manage the Flagship Initiative’s Private Sector Pillar, overseeing the implementation of the three main pillars of WEPs priorities: Principle 2 (Increased employment in the private sector), Principle 5 (Increased Gender Responsive Procurement in the private sector), and Principle 7 (Transparent monitoring of principles 2 and 5). Responsibilities include developing roadmaps, work plans, and monitoring frameworks for these principles, providing technical support to country offices, coordinating regional private sector engagements, and ensuring coherence in monitoring frameworks. The Specialist will organize yearly UN Women Arab States Private Sector Convenings, facilitate cross-country learning, and manage key private sector partnerships to achieve the 5% increase in women's employment. Additionally, the role involves overseeing the 5 for 5 Pledge initiative, developing new partnerships, managing various private sector initiatives, and ensuring continuous knowledge sharing within UN Women and with external partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, sustainable development, social sciences, or other relevant fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on programmes related to gender and the private sector. Experience in providing advisory support to the private sector on women’s economic empowerment is essential, along with knowledge of women’s economic empowerment in the Arab States. Experience in capacity building for government stakeholders, private sector partners, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) is desirable, as is experience working with the UN.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as economics, sustainable development, or social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be considered. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender-responsive private sector development and economic empowerment initiatives.

Experience:
The role demands a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, particularly in the development and implementation of gender-focused programmes within the private sector. Candidates should have a proven track record of working across at least four countries in the Arab States region, demonstrating a deep understanding of the local context and challenges related to women's economic empowerment. Experience in providing advisory support to private sector entities and engaging with various stakeholders is critical for success in this position.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this role, as effective communication in both languages is essential for engaging with diverse stakeholders in the region. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's ability to collaborate with international partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a broader initiative aimed at increasing women's employment in the Arab States by 5% before 203

• The role is full-time and involves significant collaboration with various stakeholders, including governments, private sector partners, and civil society organizations. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants are encouraged to provide complete information in their application to avoid disqualification.