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 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 has a significant presence in Syria, where it has been working for many years to strengthen women's participation in the political process and provide humanitarian support to women and girls in need. The organization has established an office in Damascus to advance its triple mandate in cooperation with Syrian authorities and relevant commissions, ensuring that gender equality commitments are translated into concrete results on the ground.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Specialist at UN Women plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across the organization's mandate areas. This position involves providing strategic leadership and technical program support, as well as leading advocacy, coordination, and technical support efforts directed at the Syrian government and other stakeholders. The Specialist is responsible for establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships and ensuring effective coordination with government entities, UN system partners, and civil society organizations to advance national gender equality priorities. The role requires high-quality technical support and strategic guidance to strengthen gender-responsive programming and policy engagement across UN Women's work in Syria. The Specialist will oversee programmatic development, advise on project initiatives, and ensure compliance with program goals and results-based indicators. Additionally, the position involves monitoring and reporting on program implementation, managing budgets, and leading a team of technical personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Management Specialist include overseeing programmatic development for the Syria Office, advising on the design and formulation of program/project initiatives, reviewing ongoing projects and providing feedback, and ensuring alignment of project budgets with logical frameworks. The Specialist will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on program implementation, conducting performance reviews, and ensuring capacity development of personnel. Establishing and maintaining relationships with government partners and stakeholders is essential for achieving collaboration and resource mobilization. The Specialist will lead knowledge-building efforts, synthesize best practices, and represent UN Women in UN system coordination. Additional responsibilities include preparing technical reports, conducting audits, and developing training on results-based management.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender. 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 considered an added advantage. Candidates must possess at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, including design, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and donor reporting. Experience in gender-related areas and familiarity with UN coordination and policy analysis are required. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages, as well as experience with web-based management systems, is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender. 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 would be an added advantage, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The Programme Management Specialist should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, which includes program design, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and donor reporting. Experience in gender-related areas is essential, and familiarity with the Syrian context or the Arab States region is desirable. Candidates should also have experience in UN coordination, program, and policy analysis, as well as in leading and coaching staff in international settings. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages is required, along with experience in handling web-based management systems and modern ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud.

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

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Damascus, Syria, and involves managing a team of three technical personnel. The role requires a commitment to UN Women’s values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives. 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.