State Manager

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and empower women. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and works towards eliminating discrimination against women and girls. UN Women operates in 13 states across India, with offices in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and focuses on various priority areas including women's leadership, ending violence against women, enhancing economic empowerment, and integrating gender equality into national planning and budgeting.

Job Overview:
The State Manager position at UN Women is a pivotal role that involves overseeing the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of programs specifically for the Madhya Pradesh State Office. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Deputy Representative and will be responsible for managing programmatic development in alignment with UN Women India’s Strategic Note. This includes providing overall program advisory support, guiding the development of the state office, and offering technical support for the design and formulation of program/project initiatives. The State Manager will also be tasked with reviewing project strategies, ensuring compliance with UN Women’s goals, and managing the quality control of programs. Additionally, the role requires building partnerships and supporting resource mobilization strategies, as well as managing knowledge building efforts to disseminate best practices and lessons learned.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the State Manager include:

• Managing the development and implementation of programs for the Madhya Pradesh State Office, ensuring alignment with UN Women’s strategic goals.
• Providing technical support for program planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Reviewing and evaluating project proposals and overseeing the preparation of donor proposals and reports.
• Drafting policy documents and strategic papers for the development and presentation of policy positions.
• Establishing program monitoring standards and managing the monitoring of results frameworks and performance indicators.
• Leading a team of 3-5 personnel, conducting staff performance reviews, and ensuring capacity development.
• Developing and implementing partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.
• Managing knowledge building efforts and synthesizing best practices related to program implementation.
• Performing other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender. 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 considered an added advantage. Candidates should possess strong program formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills, as well as the ability to develop operational plans and budgets.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification is a plus.

Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in program management is required. This includes experience in program design, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building. Experience in gender-related areas is desirable, as well as experience in setting priorities, budgets, work plans, and leading teams effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Hindi is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official Indian language is considered desirable, enhancing the ability to communicate with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves supervisory responsibilities. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment practices are free from discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.