UN Women: Programme Specialist, Kabul, Afghanistan, International PPSA, (IPSA10)

Organizational 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. 

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.

UN Women Afghanistan Country Office operates in a highly constrained and rapidly evolving context. The Country Office’s programming is shaped by political, economic, humanitarian, and protection-related developments, as well as by the capacities and risks facing women’s organizations and implementing partners. Within this setting, the Integrated Programme and Localization Portfolio plays a critical role in supporting women and girls through EVAW programming, essential protection services and humanitarian programming, coordination with civil society organizations, and quality oversight of implementing partners.

Through the Integrated Programming Unit (IPU), the Country Office is strengthening the coordination and oversight of integrated services programming and donor-funded projects. The IPU promotes standardized project management practices, facilitates technical support across Ending Violence against Women (EVAW), Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) and Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), contributes to integrated proposal development, and strengthens Programme monitoring and donor reporting. The unit works closely with Sub-Offices, Programme and operations teams, technical specialists, responsible partners and other stakeholders to support coherent, accountable and results-focused Programme delivery.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the IPU Programme Manager, the Programme Specialist provides technical and Programme management support for the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects under the Integrated Programming Unit. The Programme Specialist coordinates project planning and implementation across Programme areas and Sub-Offices; provides technical support to responsible partners; and strengthens partner management, quality assurance, results-based management, monitoring, reporting and compliance with approved results frameworks, workplans, budgets, donor requirements, and UN Women policies and procedures.

The Programme Specialist under supervision of the Programme Manager also monitors Programme performance and resource utilization, identifies implementation risks and recommends timely corrective actions, supports partnership building and integrated proposal development, contributes to resource mobilization efforts and knowledge management, and mentors national Programme personnel to strengthen consistent and effective project delivery across the IPU.

Scope of Work:

1. Provide Advisory Support and Technical Programme Guidance for the Integrated Programme Unit 

• Lead and coordinate effective project management and programme implementation, including technical advice to Sub-Offices for appropriate and efficient partner management to ensure smooth workflow and processes for results-based management;
• Manage the monitoring of project implementation, including coordination with Sub-Offices on all integrated programming initiatives to ensure adherence to implementation rates and utilization of resources to meet agreed upon targets and results;
• Analyze and ensure alignment of project documents and budgets with the Integrated Programme Unit’s workplan and overall objectives; 
• Provide technical advice on project planning, implementation and management and ensure quality assurance at Sub-Office levels. 
• Facilitate effective information flow, communication and coordination across the unit and between Sub-Offices and other ACO units and pillars; and

2. Oversee Capacity Building for the Integrated Programme Unit

• Regularly assess capacity needs of all projects under the Integrated Programme Unit and develop capacity building plan in coordination with Sub-Offices and relevant units on project and Programme management procedures, including partner management;
• Design and deliver tailored training programmes to enhance capacities on project implementation, including partner management; and
• Provide targeted support to high-visibility, high-risk projects and programmes as required, in coordination with Sub-Offices and Operations teams.
• Provide quality assurance for all Project Documents prior to approval and signing. 

3. Lead Monitoring and Reporting Function for the Unit

• Recommend and establish programme monitoring standards, criteria, and other indicators for measuring and assessing progress/results;
• Systemically undertake monitoring and quarterly project and programme implementation analysis to oversee key donor portfolios;
• Manage the monitoring of projects’ results frameworks and performance indicators;
• Coordinate the process of gathering information and preparing progress reports on implementation; prepare technical reports;
• Prepare programme team for audits and monitor implementation of audit recommendations; and

4. Manage Knowledge Building Efforts 

• Manage the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the Integrated Programme Unit and contribute to global dissemination.
• Document capacity building efforts and good practices related to project and programme management.
• Draft knowledge management products including overview of projects in coordination with Sub-Offices, Partnerships, and Communications units.
• Provide training for national personnel on programme oversight functions, results-based management, and other technical areas as required.
• Support mentorship of key national personnel.

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

• 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

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

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Functional Competencies

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting. 
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change. 
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients; focuses on impact on results for the clients and responds positively to feedback. 
• Ability to manage complexities.

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and Certifications 

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, Gender 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 (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, coordination support or change management is required. 
• Proven track record of drafting and advising on high-quality proposals, reports, strategic notes and related documents for senior officials is required. 
• International development experience preferably focused on, or strongly involved in project management and gender equality at national, regional and/or international levels is required. 
• Technical knowledge of gender equality programming in EVAW, GIHA and or livelihoods is required
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. 
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable. 
• Technical expertise in all aspects of project management including planning, financial management, budget management, risk management, communications and stakeholder engagement is desirable. 
• Experience in dealing with bilateral and multilateral funding sources is desirable. 
• Prior experience in the UN System is desirable. 

Languages Requirements 

• 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.