UN Women Project Support Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, established to develop and uphold standards that create an environment where every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and reach her full potential. The organization acts as a trusted partner for advocates and decision-makers across various sectors, leading efforts to achieve gender equality. UN Women operates globally, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action worldwide, providing strong leadership in support of Member States' priorities and building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. The National UN Volunteer Expert will be embedded within the Country Office of UN Women Sierra Leone, specifically working under the Women, Peace, and Security Section, which focuses on strengthening women's leadership and participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Job Overview:
The UN Women Project Support Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of key initiatives under the Country Office portfolio. This position is designed to address systemic barriers to gender equality by supporting female peacebuilders, enhancing legal frameworks against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and building the resilience of women-led community organizations. The officer will contribute technically to the development of programme strategies in Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action, providing technical inputs to the design and formulation of programme/project proposals and initiatives. The role requires a proactive approach to ensure that gender perspectives are integrated into security sector reforms and disaster risk reduction frameworks, aligning with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and Sierra Leone's National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. The officer will serve as a core technical and operational resource, bridging policy advocacy with grassroots community impact, and will be expected to monitor and report on programme activities, results, and indicators, ensuring effective implementation and management of the Women, Peace and Security programme.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute technically to the development of programme strategies in Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action by providing inputs to the design and formulation of programme/project proposals.
• Provide technical support to the implementation and management of the Women, Peace and Security programme, including coordinating and monitoring programme activities and reviewing financial and narrative reports from implementing partners.
• Offer technical assistance and capacity development support to project/programme partners, identifying opportunities for capacity building and facilitating training as needed.
• Monitor progress on programme activities, results, and indicators, providing inputs to quarterly and donor reports.
• Support project budget management by monitoring budget implementation and providing inputs to financial reports.
• Contribute to building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies, analyzing information and maintaining databases.
• Provide technical inputs to inter-agency coordination on Women, Peace and Security to ensure coherence and alignment with other partners.
• Support advocacy, knowledge building, and communication efforts by providing technical inputs to background documents and organizing advocacy activities.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong understanding of gender equality issues, particularly in the context of Women, Peace, and Security. Candidates should possess excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. A demonstrated commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment is essential, along with experience in project management and capacity building. Familiarity with UN policies and procedures related to gender equality and human rights is highly desirable. Candidates should also have strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in social sciences, international relations, gender studies, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline would be an advantage. Candidates should have a solid understanding of gender issues and the ability to apply this knowledge in practical settings.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in project management, particularly in areas related to gender equality, Women, Peace, and Security, or humanitarian action. Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is preferred, as is experience in capacity building and training.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Sierra Leone would be an asset, enhancing communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a National UN Volunteer role, which may involve a commitment to a specific duration. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared for the challenges of working in a dynamic and culturally rich environment. The cost of living in Sierra Leone varies, with Freetown being relatively expensive compared to rural areas. Volunteers should be adaptable and culturally aware, as living conditions may involve limited comfort and physical hardship, particularly in rural duty stations. The organization provides benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station, and candidates are encouraged to review the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information.