IMPORTANT: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Finland and is addressed exclusively to nationals of Finland.

Organisational Context

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.

In Malawi, women constitute 50.6% of the population and are estimated to produce 80 percent of the food and constitute 70 percent of the labour force, but work predominantly in low income earning activities in the agricultural sector. While data on land ownership remains scarce, it is estimated that women own only 17 per cent of documented land in the country. Often inheritance of land and financial assets are divided between men in a family, despite a 2016 bill recognizing women’s customary land rights. Women are also underrepresented in the private sector, where, in 2019, they made up just 26 per cent of the workforce. The private sector also lacks a gender coordination mechanism and does not appear to have clearly implemented gender policies, often meaning workplaces are unsafe and not inclusive of women’s leadership. Women also face barriers accessing financial services, widely unused in Malawi, often requiring collateral, which women are unlikely to own, and prior business experience, which women are unlikely to have. 

UN Women Malawi focuses on different themes to promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Malawi. Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) is one of the thematic areas implemented whose Goal is to ensure that women have Income security, Decent Work and Economic Autonomy. In line with the 2024-2028 strategic note, the WEE portfolio focuses on Skills Development for girls and women in different sectors including digitalization and ICT, application of Women Empowerment Principles, Entrepreneurship, Care Work and Enabling policy environment for Women Economic Empowerment. The agriculture domain is one of the areas of focus for UN Women Malawi where our programming is focusing on accelerating employment creation and social protection through integrated agriculture value chain development.

About the Position; Reporting to Programme Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment, the Programme Analyst contributes to the effective management of UN Women WEE programmes in the CO by providing substantive inputs to programme design, formulation, implementation and evaluation. The Programme Analyst guides and facilitates the delivery of UN Women WEE program by monitoring results achieved during implementation and ensuring appropriate application of systems and procedures and develops enhancements if necessary. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women HQ staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation under portfolio.

JPO Programme Components

Supervisor: Programme Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment: 

Content and methodology of supervision: Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with the direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and supervisor 

Evaluation: The Performance Management and Development (PMD) tool will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the JPO’s performance. 

Training components:
• Participation in a 2 week UN Women Induction Course in New York
• UN Women mandatory online training courses
• Access to online training and learning resources of the Learning Management System to develop management skills as well as knowledge in specific technical areas in line with the individual learning plan developed annually with the supervisor
• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide Learning components: On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have strong understanding of effectively working to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment with multiple stakeholders and be able to manage programme development and implementation. 

In addition to strengthening of UN Women competencies skills set, in particular those listed below, the JPO will also learn/acquire some of the following:
• Skills to analyze policies and plans from a gender equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment perspective
• Programme planning and management skills
• Skills to advocate and communicate clearly
• Skills to work collaboratively across agencies to achieve better results
• Skills to work effectively in a culturally diversity

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Good knowledge of Results Based Management
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations
• Good analytical skills
• Good knowledge of Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising

Functions

Contribute technically to the development of programme strategies in the WEE program

• Provide substantive inputs to the design and formulation of programme/ project proposals and initiatives;
• Identify areas for support and intervention related to the programme.

Provide substantive technical support to the implementation and management of the in joint program 

• Provide technical inputs to the annual workplan and budget; 
• Lead the implementation of programme activities;
• Lead the coordination of the call/request for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees, and capacity assessment of partners;
• Review, coordinate and monitor the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Train partners on Results Based Management and monitor implementation.

Provide technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Coordinate and provide technical support in the implementation of programme activities; Develop technical knowledge products
• Maintain relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women Economic Empowerment programme;
• Identify opportunities for capacity building of partners and facilitate technical/ programming support and trainings to partners, as needed.

Provide technical inputs to the monitoring and reporting of the programme/ project 

• Monitor progress of implementation of activities and finances using results based management tools;
• Draft reports on monitoring missions, programme results s, outputs and outcomes; 
• Provide substantive inputs to the preparation of donor and UN Women reports.

Provide substantive technical inputs to the management of people and finances of the WEE programme

• Monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/ revisions, as necessary;
• Provide substantive inputs to financial reports;

Provide substantive inputs to building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies

• Provide substantive inputs to resource mobilization strategies; analyze and maintain information and databases; 
• Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, briefing notes, speeches, and donor profiles;
• Participate in donor meetings and public information events, as delegated.

Provide technical support to inter-agency coordination on Women’s Economic Empowerment to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in the country

• Provide substantive technical support to the Representative and Head of Programmes on inter-agency coordination related activities by drafting background reports and briefs.

Provide substantive inputs to advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop background documents, briefs and presentations related to Women Economic Empowerment. 
• Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
• Coordinate the development of knowledge management methodologies, and products on Women Economic Empowerment.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality inputs to programme development
• Timely and quality implementation of Programme/Portfolio/ activities against set workplans, timelines, and budgets, in line with the Strategic Note
• Timely and quality technical assistance
• Quality and timely  inputs to reporting
• Strong relations with partners and stakeholders
• Enhanced best practices and lessons learned documented and circulated
   

Education and certifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, economics,  social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, 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 would be an added advantage
   

Experience:

• At least 2 years of paid and progressively responsible work experience in development program/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building.
• Experience in the Women’s Economic Empowerment and particularly agriculture and/or infrastructure is an asset.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Finnish or Swedish
• knowledge of any other UN language is always an asset

Nationality of candidate:

• This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Finland and is addressed exclusively to nationals of Finland.

Age of candidate:

• Maximum 32 years of age, as of 31 Dec 2026

Attachments:

• A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you're the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your Bachelor and Master degree
   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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