Program Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is 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 on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization 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. UN Women has been active in Afghanistan since 2002, addressing the complex humanitarian crisis that has emerged due to decades of conflict, poverty, and natural disasters, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has a significant presence in Afghanistan, with five Sub-Offices located in various provinces, and is involved in inter-agency initiatives to promote gender-responsive humanitarian action.

Job Overview:
The Program Coordinator position is crucial for enhancing coordination across all humanitarian projects in Afghanistan, ensuring effective collaboration with partners and stakeholders while integrating gender-responsive approaches into humanitarian responses. The consultant will provide strategic oversight and facilitate inter-agency collaboration, reporting to the GIHA Programme Manager. The role requires an initial four-week mission to Kabul for in-person coordination with stakeholders, onboarding, and administrative setup. The consultant will work from home but is expected to align with the working hours in Afghanistan. The position demands a proactive approach to ensure that humanitarian projects align with UN Women’s Humanitarian Response Strategy and Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Response Plan, while also monitoring project timelines and facilitating learning and adaptive management practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for facilitating inter-agency coordination efforts with various partners, including IOM, STFA Twinning Project, Durable Solutions, UNOPS, AWAAZ, and AHF. They will strengthen collaboration with UN agencies, humanitarian clusters, NGOs, and donors to promote gender-responsive humanitarian action. The consultant will represent UN Women in humanitarian coordination forums and inter-agency meetings as required. They will ensure that humanitarian projects align with UN Women’s Humanitarian Response Strategy and monitor project timelines for efficient implementation. The consultant will support partners in applying Results-Based Management approaches, provide technical support for logframe development, and ensure adherence to accountability mechanisms. They will also lead donor reporting and develop periodic progress reports, situation analyses, and policy briefs on gender dimensions of humanitarian action. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical assistance to partners on gender in humanitarian action and organize training sessions on gender-sensitive humanitarian response.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. 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. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of gender issues and humanitarian contexts, particularly in Afghanistan.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or international development is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may also be acceptable. A project/programme management certification would enhance a candidate's profile.

Experience:
At least 2 years of progressively responsible work experience in development programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building is required. Experience in humanitarian settings and familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms is an asset. Candidates with experience working with UN agencies, humanitarian clusters, NGOs, and donor agencies will be preferred. Proven ability to navigate complex humanitarian contexts and an understanding of Afghanistan’s humanitarian landscape are also valuable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Dari or Pashto is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time home-based consultancy position, with an initial four-week mission to Afghanistan. The consultant is expected to work during standard working hours in Afghanistan (Sunday – Thursday, 9:00 – 17:00 Kabul time). The role requires a commitment to UN Women’s values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.