1. 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 works to support women’s engagement in peace and security to promote improved implementation, and monitoring and reporting of global commitments on women and peace and security, including as set out in Beijing Platform for Action and in Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2122 (2013) and 2242 (2015), relevant Statements by the President of the Security Council, as well as related accountability frameworks established by the UN system. The UN Women works to strengthen the capacity of actors engaged in inclusive peacebuilding and national dialogue processes to enhance women’s participation and influence and to secure gender-equality outcomes. 

At the regional level, UN Women works to drive forward the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Europe and Central Asia. This includes support to regional bodies and civil society organizations, collaboration with UN agencies and support to UN Women’s country offices. Regional work includes support to the implementation of regional and National Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security, regional dialogue work on inclusive peace and mediation processes.

UN Women in Europe and Central Asia supports projects that increase women’s participation and influence in decision-making to prevent and resolve conflicts, as well as engender humanitarian response. We promote gender perspectives in policy development and work to strengthen the protection of women affected by crisis and/or conflict. We amplify calls for accountability and advance the status of women in post-conflict/crisis settings. UN Women’s larger regional level work aims to ensure proper monitoring and oversight, build regional networking and knowledge sharing, and document best country-level practices.

Reporting to the Regional Peace, Security and Humanitarian Specialist, the Programme Specialist exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under the WPS and Humanitarian Action portfolio. The Programme Specialist 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.

2. Functions

a. Design and develop programme strategies in the area of Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action

• Design and formulate programme/ project proposals and initiatives;
• Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action.

b. Manage the implementation and management of the Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action programme

• Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
• Manage the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams;
• Manage the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;
• Organize Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed.

c. Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance. Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives
• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action; respond to any potential problems;
• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners.

d. Manage the monitoring and reporting of the regional programmes/ projects

• Manage the monitoring of programme/ project implementation and finances using results based management tools;
• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions;
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
• Contribute to office donor and UN Women reports.

e. Manage the people and financial resources of the Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action programme

• Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
• Supervise UNV WPS Specialist and programme interns;
• Mentor and coach staff and conduct performance assessments;
• Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary.

f. Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization;
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

g. Contribute to inter-agency coordination on Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in Europe and Central Asia Region

• Provide technical support to the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director and the WPS and Humanitarian Action Specialist, on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees as needed;
• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts.

h. Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action;
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action as necessary;
• Develop advocacy strategies and oversee their implementation;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide programme improvement and strategy planning;
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action.

3. Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality programme design and inputs to Strategic Note
• Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget and workplans, and in line with all UN Women operational rules and regulations, including security
• Timely and quality monitoring and evaluation of programmes
• Relations with partners and stakeholders
• Quality reports and timely submission
• Regular communication with other agencies and partners
• Quality of advocacy and communication initiatives

4. 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:

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills

• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Strong knowledge of Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies

5. Recruitment 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 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Technical experience in gender equality, women, peace and security and gender in humanitarian action;
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset;
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
• Proven track record in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming is an asset;
• Knowledge management and communications experience is an asset;
• Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.