Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to the vision of equality as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. The organization focuses on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving gender equality as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women operates globally, with its India Country Office based in New Delhi, working to accelerate gender equality and women's empowerment through strategic partnerships, technical and policy advisory services, and advocacy with various stakeholders including governmental, inter-governmental, and civil society partners. The organization is committed to leading and coordinating the UN system's work on gender equality, ensuring accountability for results across its initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist plays a crucial role in the effective management of UN Women programs within the Country Office. Reporting to the Deputy Representative, the specialist is responsible for providing substantive inputs to the design, formulation, implementation, and evaluation of programs. This position requires close collaboration with the program and operations team, UN Women HQ personnel, government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UN Women programs. The specialist will contribute technically to the development of program strategies, coordinate the annual workplan and budget process, and provide technical support to project/program partners. The role also involves monitoring results achieved during implementation and ensuring the appropriate application of systems and procedures, with a focus on enhancing program delivery and outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute technically to the development of program strategies across all portfolios, including coordinating and providing substantive inputs to the design and formulation of program/project proposals and initiatives.
• Lead coordination groups on cross-cutting issues within programs and regularly convene quarterly team visioning processes to ensure timely implementation and problem-solving in delivery and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
• Oversee and manage three state offices, including staff, budget, program planning, reporting, resource mobilization, and communications.
• Provide substantive technical support to the implementation and management of UN Women’s programs in the country, including coordinating the annual workplan and budget process.
• Lead the coordination of calls for proposals, organize technical review committees, and assess partner capacities.
• Monitor timely submission of financial and narrative reports from implementing partners and manage the country office's M&E framework.
• Provide technical inputs and capacity development to project/program partners, maintaining relationships with national partners to support program implementation and expansion.
• Build staff capacity and monitor progress of implementation using results-based management tools, drafting reports on monitoring missions and program results.
• Coordinate budget implementation and make necessary budget realignments or revisions, building capacity of country office staff in budgeting programs. 1
• Contribute to resource mobilization strategies and prepare relevant documentation for donor meetings and public information events. 1
• Ensure linkage of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) with corresponding Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research (MER) Plans, overseeing the delivery of the country office's M&E framework. 1
• Coordinate internal and external reporting requirements, ensuring relevant evaluation findings are incorporated into program reporting.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in development program/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building.
• Experience in program implementation and management is an asset, as is experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development. Alternatively, 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 is considered an added advantage.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in development program/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building. Experience in program implementation and management is highly valued, as well as experience in coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN official working language is considered an asset, and proficiency in other Indian languages, particularly Hindi, is also advantageous.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves significant responsibilities in program management and coordination. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring a respectful environment for all employees. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.