Background

UNIFEM is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in Afghanistan.  Staff and consultants of UNIFEM Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized.  Respect for diversity and human dignity is required, as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues and partners.
UNIFEM's Women, Peace & Governance Unit aims to build the capacity of and strengthen opportunities for Afghan women to mobilize as political actors of change as a means of demanding accountability by state and non-state actors on the implementation of gender equality commitments, including provisions of women's full and meaningful participation in peace and governance processes at the community, sub-national and national levels. The Unit operates within the framework of UN SCR 1325, CEDAW, the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
Under the direct supervision of the UNIFEM Chief Technical Specialist, and in consultation with the Deputy Country Director (DCD), the Women, Peace & Governance Unit Manager serves as a member of the senior management team, with oversight responsibilities for all aspects of Women, Peace & Governance Unit programming and operations, including providing strategic direction, fiscal oversight, resource mobilization, and policy setting.  The post serves as a key advisor to the Country Director and DCD on policy and programming pertaining to the Unit's mandate and on matters of organizational integrity with the aim of ensuring: (i) compliance with UNIFEM and UNDP policies and regulations; (ii) effective systems to support programme delivery and growth; (iii) accountability to organizational values and principles; and (iv) and enabling workplace environment in which staff potential is maximized.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Direction.

The Unit Manager will establish policy and practices to ensure the sound management and staff oversight of the Unit; to effectively meet programme obligations and client expectations; and to facilitate a workplace environment of mutual accountability, recognition, and respect. The manager will set priorities and determine the strategic direction of the Unit, identifying opportunities for productive interventions in order for the Unit to meet its mandate.

Resource Mobilization.

The Unit Manager will, in consultation and coordination with senior management, proactively seek and respond to opportunities for resource mobilization for the Women, Peace & Governance Unit.

Management and Supervision.

The Unit manager will directly supervise and appropriately delegate areas of responsibility to the deputy unit manager and unit operations staff, and provide general guidance to the unit management team, including international consultants. 

Peace and Governance Policy Development.

The Unit Manger advises senior management on his/her programmatic area of women, peace, and governance and their implications for achieving the government's and UNIFEM's gender commitments. The Unit Manager participates in various national policy dialogues on the inclusion of women in peace processes and their specific perspectives and needs in post conflict recovery, reconstruction, and public policy.

Programme Design and Delivery:

The Unit Manger will take the lead in providing substantive technical inputs into program development, through vision, conceptualization and design and oversees the Unit's annual planning process.

Leadership.

The Unit Manager is responsible for providing leadership and direction within the Unit. He/she creates an organizational culture of accountability, responsibility, capacity building and quality of services through leadership, encouraging a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation. He/she also ensures that there exists a clearly understood and implemented chain of authority and accountability within the Unit.

Financial Management.

The Unit Manager provides financial oversight for the Unit's expenditures, including ensuring a steady and adequate supply of funds for programme activities. He/she follows up with the Unit Deputy to ensure all programme funds are spent in accordance with donor agreements and financial reporting requirements.

Partnership and Networking.

The Unit Manager serves as UNIFEM's key advocate in the field of women, peace and governance, articulating its messages through practical policy solutions and linking women's grass roots advocacy work to the national policy level. She/he is responsible for developing strategic partnerships and strengthening linkages with NGOs, donors, UN agencies, government institutions, private sector, civil society and community grass roots organizations for the implementation of the Unit's strategic plan. He/she will ensure UNIFEM's contribution to the UN's strategic planning processes in relation to women, peace and governance and will foster knowledge networks in this field.

Key Results:

The Unit Manager will lead strategic and targeted advocacy interventions in public policy making lead cutting edge initiatives and interventions to ensure relevant policy serves to strengthen women's meaningful participation in the peace and development processes of the country.

Competencies

Core Values and Ethics:
  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and able to work in a multi-national environment;
  • Support the Organization’s corporate goal;
  • Comply with UNIFEM rules, regulations and code of conduct;
  • Demonstrate integrity.
Teamwork
  • Build effective client relationships and partnerships;
  • Interact with all levels of staff in the organization;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Build and share knowledge;
  • Provide guidance and support to others;
  • Apply existing knowledge to work;
  • Make valuable practice contributions.
Communication
  • Excellent oral and written skills;
  • Listen actively and respond effectively.
Task Management
  • Plan, prioritize and deliver a variety of tasks on time;
  • Exercise sound judgment/analysis;
  • Develop creative solutions.
Learning
  • Promote learning environment in the office;
  • Provide constructive coaching and feedback for others.
Technical/Functional
  • In-depth knowledge of program management and implementation;
  • Knowledge of UNIFEM business, operations and programming cycle (preferred) .

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 
  • Masters degree or equivalent in governance, international development, public policy, or other relevant social sciences, with focus on gender issues.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years progressively relevant professional work experience in programme design and management in the areas of governance, women’s decision-making roles in governance and/or post-conflict peace processes, with two years at managerial level.
  • Technical experience in gender analysis and monitoring and evaluation with participatory approaches.
  • Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments;
  • A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations;
  • A proven history of leadership, management and staff supervision through a style of mutual accountability and professional development;
  • Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact, and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles, implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds;
  • Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UNIFEM;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially in professional English.
  • Experience in the area of advocacy and policy analysis as it impacts women’s decision making roles, ideally in a post conflict setting
  • An understanding of the social, cultural, and political context of Afghanistan and its relation to gender is preferable
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in spoken and written English; 
  • Written and spoken skills in Dari or Pashto will be an advantage.  

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UNIFEM Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UNIFEM P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.