Deputy Country Representative

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM, which focused on gender equality. UN Women operates in numerous countries, providing technical assistance to national partners, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Its mission is 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. The organization is guided by its strategic plans and frameworks, including the Country Strategic Note 2026-2027 and the UN Women Global Strategic Plan (2026-2029), aiming to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Country Representative will report directly to the Country Representative of the South Africa Country Office and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Country Office. This role involves significant contributions to the design, implementation, management, and oversight of the country programme, ensuring that operations support the effective and efficient delivery of results as outlined in UN Women’s Strategic Plan and the Country Office plans. The Deputy Country Representative will manage the programme team, oversee the preparation of implementation progress reports, and provide advisory support on strategic directions. The position also entails representing UN Women in UN system coordination and facilitating partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. The incumbent will play a crucial role in advocating for women's rights and gender equality, managing personnel, and ensuring compliance with UN Women’s policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the programme team, including finalizing the team’s annual workplan and overseeing the process of programme conceptualization, planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Lead the preparation of programme implementation progress reports and identify areas for action or decision by the Country Representative.
• Provide advisory and specialized technical support on the strategic direction of the office, including policy document development and strategic papers.
• Represent UN Women in UN system coordination, focusing on programming and collaboration with the UN Country Team.
• Provide technical support in creating strategic partnerships and resource mobilization strategies, establishing relations with government, partners, stakeholders, and donors.
• Advocate for UN Women in various events and meetings, developing and implementing advocacy strategies.
• Facilitate knowledge management and capacity building by collecting and sharing lessons learned and overseeing training activities.
• Manage personnel under supervision, providing direction, guidance, and performance feedback, and ensuring a conducive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international development, public administration, public policy, or other relevant social science fields is required.
• 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 (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) is an added advantage.
• Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills are essential.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to create an enabling work environment are required.
• Strong analytical skills and knowledge of Results Based Management and the UN system are necessary.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to synthesize program performance data are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in international development, public administration, public policy, or other relevant social science fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Additionally, a project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® would be considered an advantage.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development programmes, with a strong focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment at the international level. Experience in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds, or Programmes is preferred. Field-based experience working with multi-cultural teams is required, along with experience in leading and coaching staff in international settings. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and experience with web-based management systems are necessary. Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves leading a team of 8 personnel, including direct supervision of team leads in relevant thematic areas such as Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE), Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Governance. The incumbent will also supervise the Monitoring and Reporting and Coordination unit. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment, training, and promotion are based on qualifications and competence, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or other factors. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.