Specialist, Leadership and Decision-Making Section

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda, with the mission to promote gender equality and empower women globally. It combines the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates in multiple countries, working with various partners and stakeholders to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men. The organization emphasizes women's leadership and decision-making as a key driver for legislative and policy outcomes, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, and organizational needs.

Job Overview:
The Specialist in the Leadership and Decision-Making Section (LDM) will play a crucial role in managing global technical support and guiding the implementation of UN Women's Strategic Plan Impact

• This position involves overseeing the implementation of the UN Women-Sida Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF3) component focused on women's political participation. The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring corporate policy coherence and compliance with corporate goals while managing global advocacy initiatives. The role requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including UN coordination, donor engagement, and partnership building. The Specialist will also oversee the effectiveness of programs through results-based management and ensure optimal use of funds in preparation for program closure. This position demands a proactive approach to support the Section Chief in driving successful implementation of the Strategic Plan by operationalizing the programming framework for women's leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Specialist will oversee LDM's corporate processes and institutional strengthening, ensuring program effectiveness through results-based management. Key responsibilities include managing the implementation of the SPF3 component on women's political participation, providing periodic narrative progress reports, and advising on actions needed for optimal fund utilization. The Specialist will monitor the implementation of the HQ global technical support on Strategic Plan Impact Area 1, ensuring adherence to delivery rates and resource utilization. They will prepare work plans and budgets, act as a thematic focal point for annual peer reviews, and provide technical assistance to country offices and national partners. The role also involves managing the SPF3 seed funding mechanism, reviewing country office funding proposals, and liaising with thematic advisors to support program development. Additionally, the Specialist will oversee resource partnerships, donor relations, and mobilization efforts, ensuring timely contributions to corporate policy documents and strategic papers. The Specialist will represent the team in internal and external meetings related to global reporting and corporate processes on LDM.

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. A Bachelor's 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 relevant international working experience with increasing managerial responsibilities in gender equality and international development. Candidates should have experience in designing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development programs, particularly in women's political participation. Experience coordinating with government agencies and donors, as well as working within the UN System, is essential. Leadership and team management experience is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender equality and women's empowerment in various contexts.

Experience:
The Specialist should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant international working experience, demonstrating increasing managerial responsibilities in gender equality and international development. This experience should encompass design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs, particularly those focused on women's political participation. Candidates should also have experience in coordinating and liaising with government agencies and donors, as well as a background in the UN System. Leadership experience in managing teams is advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is home-based, and international candidates are responsible for holding a valid work permit for their home-based location throughout the duration of their assignment. UN Women emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. It is essential for applicants to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.