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.
About the Programme
UN Women's vision for economic empowerment is based on three basic criteria and are firmly rooted in the realization of economic rights of women: transformation, participation and impact. Women must be able to transform their own lives and their communities and societies and markets or economic activities in which they participate, they have to participate in the processes and areas that affect their economic independence (labor market, markets products and services and such global markets) linkages, and they must be able to make an impact in their homes, in their community and on legislation and policies that affect their economic independence. The portfolio has the following key priority areas
Decent work and Entrepreneurship.
Gender responsive Macro-Economics
Women’s Climate Action in the Blue and Green economies
Reporting to Programme Management Specialist, the WEE Programme Specialist exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under their 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Design and develop programme strategies in the area of Women Economic Empowerment
Design and formulate programme/ project proposals and initiatives;
Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue and other documents related to Women Economic Empowerment
Manage the implementation and management of the Women Economic Empowerment 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 personnel and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;
Organize Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings, as needed.
Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme/ project
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.
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 Economic Empowerment programme; 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.
Manage the people and financial resources of the Women Economic Empowerment programme
Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
Supervise Programme Associate; Mentor and coach personnel and conduct performance assessments;
Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary.
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.
Contribute to inter-agency coordination on Women Economic Empowerment to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in the country
Provide technical support to the Representative and Programme Management 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.
Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts
Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to the Women Economic Empowerment;
Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to Women Economic Empowerment 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 Economic Empowerment;
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
Required Skills and Experience
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
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 Women Economic Empowerment;
Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset;
Experience working in the UN System is an asset;
Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.
Fluency in English and Chichewa is required;
Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset;
