Project Support Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, dedicated to developing and upholding standards that create an environment where every woman and girl can exercise their human rights and reach their full potential. Established as part of the United Nations, UN Women works with advocates and decision-makers across various sectors to promote gender equality. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, 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.

Job Overview:
The Project Support Officer role at UN Women involves providing essential program support for the effective management of UN Women programs in the Country Office/Regional Office. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including program and operations teams, UN Women HQ staff, government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, and civil society organizations. The officer will contribute to design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, formulation, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring that UN Women programs are delivered effectively. This role is crucial for analyzing results achieved during program implementation and supporting the application of appropriate systems and procedures. The Project Support Officer will report to the Program Specialist on Women Peace and Security and will play a vital role in ensuring successful program implementation under the portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supports program implementation by compiling background information for program formulation, drafting project documents, work plans, budgets, and proposals on implementation arrangements.
• Provides operational support for program activities, ensuring effective communication and information flow among partners.
• Assists in monitoring and evaluation by compiling monitoring information to prepare progress reports and elaborating periodic reports for all funding sources.
• Monitors the application and disbursement of funds transferred to partners.
• Aids in knowledge building and sharing by assisting in the development and conduct of training sessions and participating in training for operations/projects staff.
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Provides inputs to advocacy, knowledge building, and communication efforts, including technical inputs to background documents, briefs, and presentations related to Women, Peace and Security.
• Supports the organization of advocacy activities, campaign events, trainings, workshops, and the development of knowledge management products.
• Performs 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 and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and demonstrate a commitment to UN Women’s mission. Proficiency in project management and monitoring and evaluation techniques is essential. Additionally, candidates should have a good grasp of financial management principles and practices, as well as the ability to analyze and synthesize information effectively.

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 area would be an advantage, as it demonstrates a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in program support, project management, or a related field. Experience working with international organizations, particularly in the context of gender equality and women's rights, is highly desirable. Familiarity with UN systems and procedures is a plus, as it indicates an understanding of the operational environment in which UN Women functions.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of UN Women. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Sierra Leone would be an asset, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is a volunteer role under the UN Volunteers program, which may involve a contract duration that is typically determined by the specific project needs. The role is full-time and may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate different time zones and stakeholder availability. Volunteers should be prepared for living conditions that may vary significantly between urban and rural areas, with Freetown being more developed compared to rural duty stations. Compensation and benefits are provided according to the UN Volunteers Conditions of Service, which include allowances for living expenses, travel, and other necessary support.