Programme Specialist, Gender and Social Norms

This vacancy selection is subject to funding. 

The Position:

The Programme Specialist is the technical adviser on UNFPA’s normative mandate and advises on project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks. You will lead the programme team in Moldova and  the gender team in Ukraine and collaborate with the Country Offices’ operations and administrative support staff.

Due to the cross-border nature of the function, you will report to the UNFPA Representative Moldova with a matrix reporting line to the Resident Representative in Ukraine.

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

The incumbent will lead the day-to-day management of the Gender & Social Norms programme and ensure close and effective communication and collaboration between Ukraine and Moldova Country Offices. Working within both a Country Office (CO) and Moldova-Ukraine cross-border activities, you will ensure the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of gender and social norms with a strong focus on UNFPA’s normative agenda.

Employing your programme management experience, you will oversee the work of the programme team as well as consultants, advisors, and experts. You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate. This role requires a dynamic individual capable of ensuring efficient resource allocation, transparent reporting, and adherence to UNFPA policies, ultimately guaranteeing the effective management of all activities within the challenging context of the Moldova-Ukraine cross-border operations.
 

You would be responsible for:

• In collaboration with Government counterparts, NGOs and other partners, develop the design and implementation of the country programmes normative content and its component projects, aligning with Government priorities and UNFPA programme policies and procedures. This involves policy work, advocating for legislation amendments for TFGBV and the inclusion of men and boys interventions in national strategic programs on GBV prevention.
• Delivering achievement of programme results by ensuring appropriate policies are applied and monitoring and oversight mechanisms are established and implemented.  This includes addressing social norms for GBV prevention through VAW/VAC research, tackling TFGBV in CSE, delivering TFGBV training for youth and adults, and countering gendered disinformation.
• Analysing the political, social and economic environment relevant to UNFPA programme activities, recommending and pursuing opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention.  This includes promoting positive masculinities through initiatives like Tato Schools/Father’s club, Boys on the Move, and interventions for parents of boys for gender-responsive parenting/education programs.
• Assessing implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution, and ensuring their integration. This involves advocacy on addressing gender-based discrimination and stereotypes and improving CSO capacity to respond. You will also address the unequal distribution of unpaid care work by working with the private and public sectors on FFW and childcare availability.
• Responsible for  project implementation; establishing partnerships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project outputs. This includes addressing issues around skills and opportunities by supporting older women with flexible training and employment opportunities, improving access to employment for women with disabilities, and developing flexible skill programs.
• Ensuring effective knowledge management strategies are implemented by the programme team incorporating crucial areas of case management, VILNA/Safe Spaces work, linking GBV and SRH in multi-sectoral responses, women-led social cohesion initiatives, evidence-based behavioral change initiatives on harmful gender norms, supporting/influencing demographic resilience, and promoting data and evidence-based policy-making.
• Contribute and participate  in advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts of the CO, by ensuring preparation of relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related meetings and public events.
   

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced degree in human rights, communication, population, demography and/or other related social science discipline.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and gender and human rights activities; of which three (3) years of international experience is required.
• Experience in programme/ project management including experience coordinating large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project and implementing partners; 
• Proven experience in coordinating/managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and  consultants;
• Experience in policy advice with documented results in drafting and implementing legislation; 
• Field experience is required; 
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.
   

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programme
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
   

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment
  
  
   

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.