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.

UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has five key programme priorities: (1) Integrated Programming and Localization, (2) Women’s movement building through core grant making; 3) Policy and Research; 4) Economic Resilience and Women’s Empowerment and 5) Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. UN Women Afghanistan operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices located in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.

Since 2021, UN Women has been implementing targeted for women, by women’ programming approaches to address the needs of Afghan women and girls in thematic areas of protection, livelihoods and basic assistance. Through these, UN Women, in partnership with women civil society organizations  has piloted programming models of service delivers through dedicated women only spaces. Based on good practices and lessons learns over the year, this position will bring together the different thematic areas of programming to provide community level integrated services across the nexus. She/he will work in close collaboration with the UN Women programme and operations team in Afghanistan, and relevant UN Women staff in the Regional Office (Bangkok) and HQ (New York), as well as other key stakeholders - including UN partners, civil society and international partners - to ensure successful implementation of planned results.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, the Programme Manager will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership for effective and successful implementation of the pillar on integrated programming and localization across the UN Women’s operations in Afghanistan.

The Programme Manager will lead a team of Programme Specialist NOC, Programme Analyst NOB, Programme Associate G7 and will directly supervise the 5 Heads of sub-offices.

IV. Key Functions and Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership and Integrated Programme Development

1. Provide strategic leadership for integrated programming ensuring alignment with the ACO Strategic Note and programme review recommendations.
2. Lead the design and formulation of integrated programme strategies, concept notes and project proposals, in line with the UN Women Afghanistan Strategic Note (2025-27) and anchored in the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (2025-27)
3. Lead and manage innovative approaches that promote area-based and nexus programming that respond to local priorities
4. Advance partnerships with women led/women focused organisations and ensure centrality of Afghan women’s agency, access and participation across the programming priorities.

• Programme Management and Quality Assurance

1. Oversee implementation of integrated programmes, ensuring timely delivery against approved workplans, budgets, and results frameworks.
2. Ensure strong application of Results-Based Management (RBM), risk management, and adaptive programming in a dynamic and evolving operational context.
3. Oversee monitoring of the Unit’s activities and finances using results-based management tools.
4. Prepare high quality donor reports and contribute to UN Women reporting (quarterly, annual, etc.).
5. Develop knowledge-sharing mechanisms within UN Women to promote integration and localization.
6. Set up and manage an integrated structure within the ACO to ensure coherent and integrated programming.

• Manage the people and financial resources of the Integrated Programming and Localization Unit portfolio:

1. Provide managerial direction, guidance and leadership to staff and provide performance feedback and coaching to staff under supervision.
2. Manage the ACO’s sub-office footprint through direct supervision of heads of sub-offices, including through developing sub-office strategies, ensuring regular field missions, meetings across relevant units with sub-offices to advance localization 
3. Develop and manage the Unit’s budget and finalize financial reports in collaboration with the Operations team.
4. Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators.
5. Oversee recruitment and staff onboarding processes, as necessary

• Technical Oversight and Capacity Development

1. Provide high-level technical guidance to programme teams and partners on integrated approaches to programming , including focus on prevention and response to violence against women, income generating and livelihood for women, durable solutions and gender-responsive humanitarian action.
2. Ensure technical coherence and complementarity across thematic interventions and sub-office portfolios.
3. Oversee and support capacity development initiatives for national partners, particularly women-led civil society organizations.
4. Oversee and support capacity building of Sub-offices.

• Partnerships, Resource Mobilization, and Donor Engagement

1. Build, manage, and expand relationships with strategic partners (UN, International community and women CSOs and women leaders) to support implementation and expansion of UN Women’s integrated programming portfolio.In close coordination with ACO Management and the Partnerships Unit, advise and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies for integrated programming.
2. In close coordination with ACO Management and the Partnerships Unit, advise and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies for integrated programming.
3. Provide technical support and advice in developing of knowledge products and advocacy messaging to highlight impact of integrating programming and amplify the leadership of women CSOs to achieve these. 
4. Strengthen strategic relationships with donors, UN agencies, humanitarian coordination structures, and civil society partners.
5. Identify funding opportunities, prepare donor briefs, and contribute to resource mobilization and donor reporting efforts.

• Inter-Agency Coordination and Representation

1. Represent UN Women in relevant inter-agency forums related to integrated programming, as delegated.
2. Ensure strong linkages with relevant mechanisms of the  aid coordination architecture, especially on Gender, Protection and Durable Solutions for programmatic delivery at national and sub-national levels.
3. Participate and create opportunities for outreach and engagement with stakeholders, including UN, civil society, Members States and the De facto Authorities 
4. Provide policy advice and substantive inputs to the design, formulation and finalization of strategic country programme/project proposals and joint initiatives to advancing integrated programming and localization agenda.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads an integrated programme team, including direct supervision of Programme Specialists/Analysts NOC, and NOB, as well as Programme Associate G7), and supervise the 5 head of Sub-offices.

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:

• Demonstrated expertise in integrated programme design and management across humanitarian and development contexts
• Ability to develop detailed programming and operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them 
• Strong technical knowledge of gender equality programming in EVAW, GIHA and/on livelihoods
• Excellent knowledge of Results Based Management
• Strong writing skills and ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong management and organization skills and ability to pay close attention to detail;
• Proven ability to manage complex partnerships and multi-donor portfolios
• Strong leadership, change management, and coordination skills
• Ability to operate effectively in high-risk, politically sensitive environments

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender studies, social sciences, international development, humanitarian action, human rights, 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 (e.g., PMP) would be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme design, implementation, and management at national and/or international levels is required.
• Demonstrated experience across at least two of the following areas: WEE, EVAW, and/or GiHA is required.
• Experience in leading/managing a team is required 
• Experience managing integrated or nexus programmes in complex or humanitarian settings is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is desirable.
• Experience working with the UN system 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.