UN Women: Programme Coordinator, Herat, Afghanistan, National Consultant

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. 

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of chronic, poverty, climate change, economic decline, and natural disasters. Afghan women and girls face unique and amplified vulnerabilities particularly the series of restrictions and bans that restrict their access to education, health, workplaces and public spaces. In this context, it remains urgent that Afghan women and girls are provided targeted support and that they can continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the poly-crises crisis in Afghanistan.  

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 Private Sector 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.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the UN Women Herat Sub-Office, the National Programme Coordinator will support the coordination and implementation of UN Women’s humanitarian, and longer-term programmes in the western region of Afghanistan. The incumbent will coordinate programme implementation, monitor project progress and implementing partners, support initiatives that promote the meaningful participation of women and male engagement, and foster effective collaboration with the DFA, Provincial Governor Offices, relevant provincial directorates, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, implementing partners, donors, and other key stakeholders across the region.

The Programme Coordinator will provide technical and coordination support to ensure the timely and effective delivery of programme activities, strengthen coordination with government and humanitarian actors, and contribute to evidence-based planning, monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management. Through strategic coordination, results-based monitoring, and stakeholder engagement, the incumbent will help ensure that the distinct needs, priorities, and rights of women and girls are integrated across humanitarian and resilience programming, while enhancing the quality, accountability, and effectiveness of programme implementation in the western region of Afghanistan.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

The consultant will support and enhance coordination across western region Afghanistan, ensuring efficient collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

Coordinate the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Multi-Purpose Women Centers (MPWCs) Initiative

• Coordinate the establishment and operationalization of Multi-Purpose Women Centers (MPWCs) in the Western Region, taking into account the evolving operational context and restrictions affecting women and girls.
• Support assessments and analyses to inform the establishment, accessibility, and functionality of MPWCs.
• Coordinate the preparation and consolidation of annual workplans, narrative progress reports, expenditure status reports, and other donor reporting requirements in compliance with UN Women standards.
• Support the Head of the Herat Sub-Office and team in establishing and implementing processes for MPWC project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting in close collaboration with implementing partners.
• Maintain comprehensive programme documentation, including records of project implementation, risks, challenges, lessons learned, achievements, and key milestones.
• Coordinate the timely submission and quality assurance of implementing partners’ narrative and financial reports.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of monitoring plans, risk registers, lessons learned logs, monitoring reports,
• Monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to implementing partners and follow up on financial compliance and reporting requirements
• Identify partner capacity gaps for sub office to plan capacity building initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for success stories and lessons learnt in projects

Support Programme Implementation and Coordination in the Herat Sub-Office

• Support the effective implementation and coordination of programme activities across the Western Region, ensuring alignment with approved workplans and programme objectives.
• Identify institutional capacity gaps among implementing partners and coordinate capacity assessments, capacity development plans, and follow-up support.
• Coordinate partnership engagement and provide technical guidance, training, and implementation support to civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Head of the Herat Sub-Office in providing technical oversight, monitoring implementation progress, and ensuring quality assurance of partner-led interventions.
• and other

Build Partnerships and Support Resource Mobilization

• Contribute to the development and strengthening of strategic coordination with relevant DFA, civil society organizations, UN agencies, humanitarian and BHN actors, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical inputs to resource mobilization initiatives, including concept notes, project proposals, and donor engagement efforts.
• Represent the Herat Sub-Office in coordination forums, technical working groups, donor meetings, and other relevant coordination mechanisms, as delegated.
• Coordinate with implementing partners and relevant authorities to advocate for safe, equitable, and sustained access to women and girls and to facilitate the implementation of programme activities.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a full-time, in-person consultancy based in Herat, with travel to provinces. The consultant is expected to work during working hours in Afghanistan (Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Kabul time).

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:

• Coordination and Facilitation Skills – Ability to bring together multiple stakeholders and ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving – Capacity to analyze complex humanitarian challenges and provide strategic solutions.
• Negotiation and Advocacy – Ability to engage with partners, advocate for gender-responsive humanitarian action, and influence decision-making processes.
• Adaptability and Resilience – Capability to work effectively in high-pressure environments, managing competing priorities and responding to evolving humanitarian needs.

IV. Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in 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 progressively responsible work experience in development programme/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting and capacity building is required.
• Experience working in humanitarian settings and understanding of humanitarian coordination mechanisms is desirable.
• Experience working with UN agencies, humanitarian clusters, NGOs, and donor agencies isdesirable.
• Proven ability to work in complex humanitarian contexts, with an understanding of Afghanistan’s humanitarian landscape is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Dari/Pashto is desirable.

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.