Programme Management Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. 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 has a significant presence in multiple countries, working through various regional and country offices to implement its strategic goals and initiatives. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Specialist plays a crucial role within the UN Women Programme Support Management Unit (PSMU), which is responsible for providing corporate advisory services and direct support for project and programme development and implementation. The specialist will support the organization's efforts in professionalizing project and programme management standards, practices, and capacities. This includes overseeing the implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures related to the project lifecycle, managing project submissions in the Performance and Results Integrated System for Management (PRISM), supporting donor reporting, and facilitating joint programming efforts. The role requires a strong understanding of UN Women’s strategic goals and the ability to coordinate effectively with various stakeholders to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. The specialist will also contribute to knowledge management by identifying best practices and lessons learned, ensuring that these insights are disseminated appropriately across the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Management Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing technical support in the implementation of UN Women’s programming policies and procedures related to the project lifecycle.
• Developing guidance documents and tools to support the implementation of these policies and procedures.
• Monitoring the implementation of programming policies and procedures, including social and environmental standards, and generating reports to inform progress.
• Coordinating and leading capacity-building efforts on programming policies and procedures.
• Supporting revisions and updates to relevant programming policies, procedures, and guidance documents.
• Managing project concept notes and submissions in PRISM for appraisal and approval.
• Acting as the main GPAC Secretariat focal point, reviewing submissions of concept notes, project documents, amendments, and extensions, and coordinating appraisal processes.
• Providing technical support for joint programming lifecycle coordination and monitoring.
• Leading capacity-building efforts on donor reporting and supporting the review and update of internal systems and procedures related to donor reporting. 1
• Monitoring the implementation of Strategic Note Direct Financing (SNDF) guidance and supporting the development of relevant procedures. 1
• Identifying and documenting best practices and lessons learned for knowledge management purposes. 1
• Performing other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political/Development Studies, 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. Certifications such as PRINCE2® Practitioner, Project Management Professional (PMP®), and Managing Successful Programmes (MSP®) Practitioner are considered assets. Candidates must demonstrate strong coordination and analytical skills, organizational skills, and effective communication abilities, both written and verbal. They should also possess the ability to design, implement, monitor, and report on projects and programmes, develop operational plans and budgets, and synthesize project performance data to inform management decisions.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political/Development Studies. A first-level university degree may be accepted in combination with additional qualifying experience. Relevant certifications in project management are advantageous.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, and coordination support is required. Candidates should have international development experience, preferably with a focus on programme and project management related to gender equality. Technical experience in donor reporting, UN joint programmes management, and knowledge of social and environmental standards is also essential. Experience in project oversight and coordination, as well as familiarity with ERP systems for project management, is required. Prior experience within the UN system is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN official working language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time, and while the specific contract duration is not mentioned, candidates should be prepared for a role that may involve international recruitment. UN Women emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. It is important for applicants to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.