Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for 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 the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality. 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 been active in Sri Lanka since 2014, working collaboratively with the government and other partners to advance gender equality and women's empowerment in the country. The organization has a strong focus on women's economic empowerment, leadership in governance, and preventing violence against women and girls, aiming to help every woman and girl achieve her full potential in a more inclusive and just society.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer will play a crucial role in the effective management of UN Women projects, providing substantive inputs to design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, implementation, and evaluation. The position involves coordinating, implementing, and monitoring assigned projects, particularly focusing on the THRIVE initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience of marginalized women in Sri Lanka. The Project Officer will support various assessments, ensure strong stakeholder coordination, and oversee the timely implementation of project activities. This role requires a proactive approach to developing capacity-building programs for women entrepreneurs and fostering partnerships with UN agencies, government institutions, and civil society. The Project Officer will also be responsible for technical and financial management, including budget oversight, compliance with UN procedures, and preparation of reports and documentation related to project outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordination and implementation of the project: Support assessments, ensure coordination with stakeholders, manage project outputs, and develop interventions to promote positive behavior change.
• Technical and financial management: Assist in budget management, coordinate contracting of project services, monitor financial reports, and conduct field visits for project evaluation.
• Strategic partnerships and advocacy: Develop partnerships with stakeholders, analyze donor information, and coordinate knowledge management strategies.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and organization. The position does not carry supervisory responsibilities but requires strong coordination and facilitation skills.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender, Women’s Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Law, Human Rights, or a related field in Social Sciences. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification is an added advantage. Candidates should have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Tamil, with the ability to prepare analytical documents. Knowledge of laws and policies related to gender equality in Sri Lanka is essential, along with strong financial and budgeting skills.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Gender, Women’s Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Law, or Human Rights is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A project/programme management certification would be beneficial.

Experience:
At least 1 year of progressively responsible work experience in providing technical inputs and implementing projects related to gender equality and women’s empowerment is required. Relevant experience in Sri Lanka in development program implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, budgeting, and donor reporting is essential. Candidates should have experience in results-based management and facilitating multi-stakeholder initiatives, as well as familiarity with the United Nations system and its coordination mechanisms.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, along with fluency in local languages (Sinhala/Tamil). Fluency in Tamil is highly desirable and will be considered an added advantage. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is also desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working within the framework of UN Women’s policies and procedures. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment practices are free from discrimination based on race, religion, gender identity, or any other basis covered by law. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process should include this information in their application.