Sub-Office Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an entity of the United Nations established in July 2010, with a mission to promote gender equality and empower women globally. 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. UN Women operates in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, where it has been active for two decades, focusing on the unique vulnerabilities faced by Afghan women and girls amidst ongoing humanitarian crises. The organization has a significant presence in Afghanistan, with its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices in various provinces, including Kandahar. UN Women’s programming is informed by a thorough analysis of the political, economic, and humanitarian landscape, ensuring that its initiatives are aligned with the needs of Afghan women and girls. The organization is committed to safeguarding and strengthening Afghan women's organizations as vital actors in the protection of women's rights and gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Sub-Office Coordinator will play a crucial role in supporting the Women’s Civil Society Unit and coordinating operational and programmatic issues related to civil society organization (CSO) partners in the Kandahar province. This position involves working under the guidance of the Programme Manager and Sub-Office Head, with daily supervision from the Programme Analyst-Field Coordination. The coordinator will be responsible for overseeing grantmaking processes, providing technical assistance and capacity development support to partners, monitoring project implementation, and contributing to advocacy and knowledge-building efforts. The role requires a proactive approach to ensure that projects align with UN Women’s guidelines and effectively address the challenges faced by women in the region. The coordinator will also engage in knowledge management and support the organization of events and activities that promote the objectives of the Women’s Civil Society Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate Grantmaking for the WCSO Unit at the Sub-Office level: This includes disseminating Calls for Proposals to potential civil society partners, providing technical reviews and scoring of applicants, and coordinating the grantmaking process with relevant actors, including UN agencies. The coordinator will oversee due diligence and capacity assessments for shortlisted applicants and support the operationalization of grants, ensuring all necessary documentation is finalized.
• Provide Technical Assistance and Capacity Development Support: The coordinator will facilitate technical support to partners, ensuring successful project implementation in compliance with UN Women’s guidelines. This includes organizing training, workshops, and mentorship activities for partners.
• Oversee WCSO Unit Partner Monitoring & Reporting: The coordinator will monitor project implementation, travel to project sites, and ensure alignment with approved project documents. They will review partner reports and provide technical inputs for UN Women reports.
• Provide inputs to Advocacy, Knowledge Building, and Communication efforts: This involves contributing to background documents, organizing advocacy activities, and supporting knowledge management initiatives. The coordinator will also assist with events and donor missions as required.
• Perform 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 social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, 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. A project/programme management certification, such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®, is considered an added advantage. Candidates should possess strong technical skills in monitoring and project implementation oversight, as well as well-developed communication, leadership, and team-building abilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, or international development. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A project/programme management certification is a plus.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in development programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building is required. Experience working with civil society organizations and issues related to women's rights is desirable, as is familiarity with the United Nations System.

Languages:
Fluency in Dari or Pashto is required, along with a working knowledge of English. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and is expected to be full-time. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and harassment. 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.