Programme Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in promoting gender equality. UN Women operates globally, with a focus on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. The organization has been active in Afghanistan for two decades, addressing the unique challenges faced by Afghan women and girls amidst one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises. UN Women Afghanistan has five key programme priorities: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s movement building, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Private Sector, and Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. The organization operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices in Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar, employing a dedicated team focused on supporting Afghan women and girls in their pursuit of rights and opportunities.

Job Overview:
The Programme Coordinator position is crucial for supporting the coordination and implementation of UN Women’s humanitarian and long-term programmes in the western region of Afghanistan. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Head of the UN Women Herat Sub-Office, focusing on coordinating programme implementation, monitoring project progress, and engaging with various stakeholders, including government offices, humanitarian actors, and donors. The role emphasizes the importance of integrating the distinct needs and rights of women and girls into humanitarian and resilience programming. The Programme Coordinator will also be responsible for ensuring effective collaboration with partners, fostering women's meaningful participation, and enhancing the quality and accountability of programme implementation. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by women and girls in Afghanistan, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are prioritized in all programme activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting and enhancing coordination across the western region of Afghanistan, ensuring efficient collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinating the establishment and operationalization of Multi-Purpose Women Centers (MPWCs) in the Western Region, considering the evolving operational context and restrictions affecting women and girls.
• Preparing and consolidating annual workplans, narrative progress reports, and expenditure status reports in compliance with UN Women standards.
• Supporting the Head of the Herat Sub-Office in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting in collaboration with implementing partners.
• Maintaining comprehensive programme documentation, including records of project implementation, risks, challenges, lessons learned, and key milestones.
• Monitoring the allocation and disbursement of funds to implementing partners and ensuring financial compliance.
• Identifying partner capacity gaps and planning capacity-building initiatives.
• Supporting the effective implementation and coordination of programme activities across the Western Region, ensuring alignment with approved workplans.
• Engaging with civil society organizations and providing technical guidance and training. 1
• Contributing to resource mobilization initiatives and representing the Herat Sub-Office in various coordination forums and meetings.

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. 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. Candidates must demonstrate strong coordination and facilitation skills, strategic thinking, negotiation and advocacy abilities, and adaptability in high-pressure environments. A commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience. A project/programme management certification is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
At least 2 years of progressively responsible work experience in development programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building is required. Experience in humanitarian settings and familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms is desirable. Candidates should have a proven ability to work in complex humanitarian contexts, particularly within Afghanistan's unique landscape, and experience collaborating with UN agencies, NGOs, and donor agencies is advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto is desirable, as it would facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time, in-person consultancy based in Herat, with expected travel to provinces. The consultant will work during standard working hours in Afghanistan, from Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Kabul time. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to 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.