Protection 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 globally. It consolidates the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates 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 worldwide, leveraging its expertise to coordinate UN efforts in various sectors including peace, security, and disaster risk reduction.

Job Overview:
The Protection Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting UN Women and UN Action's initiatives to translate the agenda on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) from policy into actionable practices. This position involves enhancing the participation and inclusion of women in peace processes at local, national, and regional levels. The incumbent will work closely with the Policy Specialist for Rule of Law and Transitional Justice and the Coordinator of UN Action, dedicating 60% of their time to UN Action’s Secretariat and 40% to UN Women’s Peace, Security, and Resilience team. The role requires leading the implementation of knowledge-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of practitioners dealing with CRSV globally, particularly in priority countries identified in the Secretary-General’s annual report.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee knowledge development and dissemination on conflict-related sexual violence by designing and executing knowledge-building activities under UN Action’s workplan, updating strategies, and supporting coordination efforts.
• Facilitate collaborations between UN Action and UN Women to advance coordinated responses to CRSV at both HQ and country levels, providing timely advice and resources as needed.
• Lead research and analysis on CRSV-related issues, including mapping and developing knowledge products, and supporting thematic research to deepen understanding of protection issues.
• Perform additional duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in gender, protection, rule of law, policy research, and gender analysis is required. Experience in women, peace, and security, particularly related to protection and rule of law, is essential, as is familiarity with UN mechanisms on CRSV and protection issues.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have additional qualifying experience, demonstrating the importance of both formal education and practical experience in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas related to gender, protection, and rule of law, with a strong emphasis on policy research and gender analysis. Candidates should have experience working within the framework of women, peace, and security, particularly in relation to protection and rule of law, as well as familiarity with UN and intergovernmental mechanisms addressing conflict-related sexual violence.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves a significant commitment to both UN Women and UN Action initiatives. Candidates should be prepared for a rigorous selection process, including background checks and verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs.