Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Women’s participation in decision-making is one of UN Women’s primary areas of work, recognizing the role of women’s leadership in strong and stable democratic processes and inclusive societies. It is covered under the Entity’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 Impact Area 1 – Women’s leadership and decision-making: “Women lead and equally participate in decision-making processes at all levels”; and across three Systemic Outcomes of the Strategic Plan: Outcome 1 on Protect and advance normative frameworks, laws and policies for women’s and girls’ rights, Outcome 2 on Strengthen institutions to drive accountability, through financing, data and practices that support gender equality; and Outcome 3 on Support women’s agency and access to quality services, resources and assets. 

The Leadership and Decision-Making (LDM) section manages the women’s political participation component of the Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) between UN Women, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It includes a global component and a direct funding mechanism for Country and Regional Offices with an average of 15 countries supported annually. The programme is entering the last year of its third phase of implementation, while discussions on a fourth phase will take place. The LDM Section also manages implementation of the European Union funded Women and Youth Democratic Engagement Programme (WYDE) 2024-2027.

Reporting to the LDM Section Chief a.i., and the SPF Policy Specialist, the Programme Associate works with and provides support to the members of the LDM team in the implementation of programmes consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Programme Associate contributes to financial management and programme implementation including providing necessary operational, administrative and programmatic support. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Policy Specialist managing the SPFIII programme component on LDM, other members of the LDM team, programme and projects’ staff in Country Offices supported, and corporate teams as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information. 

This temporary appointment position will be for a duration of 364 days.  Whereas an external candidate will be offered a temporary appointment, subject to release agreements, staff members in UN Women may be administered as a temporary assignment and staff members in the UN Common system may be administered under a loan arrangement.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the management of LDM Section’s programmes:
• Provide administrative support in monitoring budget preparation and the finances of programmes/projects; including the finalization of FACE forms; 
• Provide administrative support and inputs to the preparation of programme budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements. 
• Provide technical guidance to the country offices supported through SPF on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances. 
• Prepare information for the preparation of the SPFIII programme closure, audit of projects/programmes, and support implementation of audit recommendations.   
• Identify sources, and gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers. 

  Provide administrative support for the financial management of the Programme Unit:

• Create projects in Quantum system, prepare budget revisions and GLJE requests to ensure smooth transfer of funds supported by the SPFIII component on WPP, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of the SPFIII projects. 
• Backstop the WYDE Women’s Leadership project in coordination with the WYDE Project Team based in Brussels as needed.
• Review financial reports; prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects. 
• Process payment for consultants; 
• Maintain internal expenditures control system, post transactions in Quantum system. 
• Create requisitions in Quantum system for development projects; register good receipts in Quantum system. 
• Assist in the preparation and follow up of cost-recovery bills in Quantum system. 

Provide administrative support to the LDM Section:

• Undertake all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization for meetings, workshops, events, and missions. 
• Make travel arrangements for the LDM Section including travel requisitions and claims.  
• Prepare public information materials and briefing packets.
• Liaise with other units in HQ on administrative issues as needed.  
• Provide guidance and training to Programme Assistants as needed

  Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization:

• Support preparation of cost-sharing and other agreements; follow up on contributions within the LDM Section team resource mobilization efforts. 
• Organize, compile and process information from donors, and programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Good knowledge of programme management; 
• Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;  
• Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats; 
• Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow;  
• Strong financial and budgeting skills; 
• Strong IT skills. 

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and Certification:       

•              Completion of secondary education is required. 

•              Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration is an asset. 

Experience:        

•              At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/support; 

•              Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages is required; 

•              Experience in supporting a team is required. 

•              Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable; 

Languages:         

•              Fluency in English is required. 

•              Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.