Policy Specialist, Protection

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's efforts towards gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, advocating for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, and works to empower women as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Policy Specialist, Protection will play a crucial role in supporting UN Women’s initiatives on gender-responsive protection, particularly in conflict and crisis settings. This position involves contributing to the development and implementation of policies that address protection challenges affecting women and girls, including issues related to conflict-related sexual violence, the safety of women human rights defenders, and the protection of civilians. The Policy Specialist will work closely with various UN Women offices and partners to ensure that gender-responsive approaches are integrated into protection policies and programming. The role requires a strong understanding of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the ability to engage with inter-agency mechanisms to advocate for gender-responsive protection strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance and program support to headquarters, regional, and country offices, ensuring quality assurance on protection and WPS-related policies and programming.
• Contribute to policy development and implementation on gender-responsive protection initiatives, including conflict-related sexual violence and the protection of civilians.
• Liaise with relevant UN Women sections to strengthen coherence across various protection-related initiatives.
• Organize high-level events to raise awareness of protection issues and advocate for gender-responsive approaches.
• Represent UN Women in inter-agency and international protection mechanisms, providing technical and coordination support.
• Contribute to the coordination of the Peace, Security and Resilience Section’s work on Women Human Rights Defenders and reprisals, supporting UN Country Teams in strengthening coordination mechanisms.
• Perform other duties as required to ensure the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree (or equivalent) in development-related disciplines, gender issues, economics, political science, human rights, law, or other social science fields relevant to rule of law and protection. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality and gender-responsive protection, with a strong background in the WPS agenda.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as development, gender studies, political science, human rights, or law. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience, emphasizing the importance of both formal education and practical experience in the field.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of professional experience in gender equality and gender-responsive protection, with a focus on the WPS agenda. Candidates should have experience in developing and implementing protection programs at various levels, as well as participating in coordination mechanisms related to protection and WPS issues. Experience in policy development concerning women human rights defenders and preventing reprisals is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, while fluency in French is highly desirable. Proficiency in another UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage in diverse international contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position does not involve direct supervision of personnel but may require providing guidance and quality assurance to junior staff. The role is full-time and may involve international collaboration, reflecting UN Women’s commitment to addressing global gender issues. Candidates should be prepared for rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and expects all personnel to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.