Country Representative

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality. UN Women operates globally, with a mission 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 committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect, and it employs a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations it serves.

Job Overview:
The Country Representative for UN Women in Ecuador is responsible for leading and managing the Ecuador Country Office (CO) portfolio. This role involves translating UN Women's Strategic Plan into development initiatives and results that align with regional and national priorities. The Country Representative will develop, implement, and manage programs and projects, ensuring effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and donors. The position requires a strategic approach to country program planning and development, with a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment. The Country Representative will also serve as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), collaborating on programming and advocacy to integrate gender issues into UN processes. This role demands strong leadership, management skills, and the ability to advocate for gender equality at various levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the strategic country programme planning and development, including leading the design and implementation of the Country Strategic Note in consultation with stakeholders.
• Oversee the Ecuador Country Office, ensuring operational goals are met and providing guidance and support to personnel.
• Support the Resident Coordinator and serve as a member of the UN Country Team, ensuring gender issues are integrated into UN programming.
• Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums and advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Develop and manage resource mobilization strategies, establishing relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Lead knowledge management and capacity building initiatives within the office.
• Ensure the safety and security of personnel and organizational assets.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or social sciences. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A project/programme management certification such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP® is an added advantage. Candidates should have excellent program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as strong people management abilities in a multicultural environment. They must demonstrate results-oriented capabilities and the ability to develop operational plans and budgets.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in development-related fields, economics, public policy, or other social sciences is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A project/programme management certification is desirable.

Experience:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience is required, combining strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level. Candidates should have experience in gender and women's issues programming, preferably within the UN system or in developing countries. Field-based experience working with multicultural teams and leading and coaching staff in international settings is essential. Proficiency in using computers and office software, as well as experience with web-based management systems, is required.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory. Working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is desirable, as well as knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, or Russian.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves leading a team of 50 personnel, including direct reports and affiliate personnel. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, 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.