Programme Specialist, Gender and Human Rights

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and human rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization aims to achieve three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's mission is to promote the rights of women and girls and to ensure their access to reproductive health services, contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist, Gender and Human Rights will oversee the formulation and evaluation of gender and human rights projects, lead the gender and human rights programme team, and collaborate with the Country Office’s operations and administrative support staff. Reporting to the Deputy Representative, the specialist will play a crucial role in implementing UNFPA's 8th Country Programme (2023-2027) in Ghana, which aligns with national, regional, and global priorities. This position requires a strong commitment to advancing gender equality and human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations such as women and young people. The specialist will engage in policy dialogue, provide technical leadership, and ensure the integration of gender and human rights issues into national development agendas. The role also involves advocacy and resource mobilization to secure funding for gender equality initiatives and to promote UNFPA's contributions to national development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Policy Dialogue and Technical Leadership: Oversee UNFPA's positioning on gender equality and women's rights within national development agendas. Engage in policy dialogue with government and development partners to incorporate women's needs and rights into national policies. Promote awareness of the ICPD Programme of Action in high-level meetings. Analyze policy developments affecting gender equality and prepare recommendations. Facilitate gender and human rights analyses to address emerging issues. Represent UNFPA in technical forums and provide leadership on gender equality and women's rights.
• Advocacy and Resource Mobilization: Advocate for increased budgetary allocations for gender equality and women's rights. Collect and analyze data for advocacy efforts. Contribute to communication materials promoting gender equality. Identify funding opportunities and develop innovative proposals. Maintain partnerships with donors and keep them updated on implementation.
• Programme Management and Coordination: Lead the formulation of gender and human rights components of the country programme. Provide guidance on programme implementation and monitoring. Collaborate with government and NGOs to ensure alignment with national priorities. Promote gender mainstreaming and social norms change strategies.
• Knowledge Management: Document knowledge on gender and human rights issues and share best practices. Participate in communities of practice and support gender mainstreaming in all programme approaches. Carry out additional duties as required by UNFPA leadership.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Human Rights, Law, Public Policy, Development Studies, or related fields. They should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing gender and/or human rights programmes at an advisory or managerial level. Demonstrable technical expertise in gender equality, including knowledge of gender-based violence and harmful practices, is essential. Candidates should have strong understanding of women's rights and gender equality dimensions in policy formulation and implementation. Proven experience in coordinating teams and liaising with government counterparts, NGOs, and UN agencies is required. Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, and communication skills are necessary, along with the ability to work independently and in diverse teams.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Human Rights, Law, Public Policy, Development Studies, or related disciplines is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively address gender and human rights issues within the context of UNFPA's mission and objectives.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience at the advisory or managerial level in managing gender and/or human rights programmes. This experience should include technical expertise in gender equality, coordination with various stakeholders, and the ability to navigate complex development environments. Field experience is considered an asset, as is prior experience within the UN system.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable, as it can enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. The role is based in Accra, Ghana, and is part of UNFPA's commitment to promoting gender equality and human rights within the framework of its strategic plan. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to report any fraudulent notices or offers.