Technical Lead and Programme 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. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda, which aimed to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization 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. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on various initiatives to promote gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Technical Lead and Programme Management Specialist position is integral to the EU-funded programme 'Support to Women’s Employment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region through Gender-Responsive Private Sector Development.' This role is part of the broader UN Women-led Surging Women’s Employment Flagship Initiative (SWEI), which aims to increase women's employment in the Arab States region by 5% by 203

• The incumbent will provide technical leadership and programme management, ensuring the development of employment generation strategies, policies, and programmes that promote women's employment through private sector growth in the Green, STEM, and Care Economy sectors. The position requires independent analysis to inform policy recommendations and oversight of national and regional programme implementation, ensuring alignment with SWEI priorities. The role also involves building strategic partnerships and leading resource mobilization efforts for programme sustainability and expansion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for providing overall technical and operational leadership for the EU-funded programme, ensuring alignment with SWEI’s strategic goals. Key responsibilities include managing the day-to-day implementation of the programme, overseeing partnerships with the EU and International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and leading change management processes to adapt programme strategies based on contextual shifts and stakeholder feedback. The Technical Lead will also independently review and provide technical guidance on programme strategies, work plans, budgets, and knowledge products, ensuring they are evidence-based, gender-responsive, and results-oriented. Regular programme reviews will be conducted to provide real-time technical support for implementation challenges. The incumbent will serve as the primary technical focal point for the EU delegation and other key partners, representing UN Women in technical discussions and negotiations. Additionally, the role involves leading the development and implementation of a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system for the programme, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to stakeholders, and conceptualizing high-quality knowledge products to contribute to global evidence on women’s employment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, Gender, 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 project/programme management certification is desirable. The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, including design, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building. Experience in managing EU projects is essential, along with experience in gender-related areas and developing employment generation activities. Candidates should have experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, and program development in sectors such as the green economy and trade-oriented programs. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages, as well as experience with web-based management systems, is required.

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. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience. A project/programme management certification is considered an asset.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, which includes programme design, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building. Candidates must have experience managing EU-funded projects and should ideally have worked in gender-related areas. Experience in developing and implementing employment generation activities is crucial, as is experience in program development within sectors like the green economy and trade-oriented programs. Familiarity with office software and web-based management systems is also necessary.

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

Additional Notes:
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may involve providing technical guidance to consultants, interns, or implementing partners. The role is expected to operate with minimal supervision and requires significant independent professional judgment. UN Women emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs.