Head of Office

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda. Its mission is to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women globally. The organization combines resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates in multiple countries, including Mali, where it addresses complex issues such as insecurity, humanitarian needs, and gender inequalities. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office for UN Women in Mali is responsible for leading the Mali Country Office on an interim basis, reporting directly to the Regional Director of UN Women West and Central Africa. This role involves overseeing the development of the new Country Strategic Note (SN) for 2027-2031, ensuring it aligns with national priorities and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Head of Office will also ensure the continuity of operations during a transitional period, manage a team of up to 26 personnel, and represent UN Women in the UN Country Team (UNCT) and other relevant coordination mechanisms. The position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to engage with high-level stakeholders to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in Mali.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of the Mali Country Strategic Note (SN 2027-2031), ensuring it reflects national priorities and meets UN Women's programming standards.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to the Country Office team, ensuring continuity of program delivery and compliance with UN Women's policies.
• Manage the performance and development of the Country Office team, promoting a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Represent UN Women in the UN Country Team and relevant coordination mechanisms, ensuring gender issues are integrated into UN system work.
• Maintain strategic partnerships with government counterparts and donors, ensuring timely reporting and resource mobilization.
• Oversee safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security compliance for personnel and assets, serving on the Security Management Team.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Regional Director to ensure the efficient functioning of the Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or other social science fields. 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 advantage. Candidates should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation, particularly in gender and women's issues programming at the international level, preferably within the UN system.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or other social science fields is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A project/programme management certification is an added advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at both national and international levels. Experience in gender and women's issues programming at the international level is required, along with field-based experience working with multicultural teams and leading staff. Experience in developing strategic planning documents such as a Country Strategic Note or UNSDCF is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in French and English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage in diverse international contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role, and candidates should be prepared for a leadership position during a transitional period. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, and all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and all personnel are expected to adhere to the organization's policies and standards of conduct.