Programme Specialist

The Programme Specialist provides technical and programme management support for the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects under the Integrated Programming Unit in UN Women Afghanistan. The role involves coordinating project planning and implementation, providing technical support to partners, strengthening partner management, and ensuring quality assurance and results-based management.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Skills

• Project Management
• Program Development
• Strategic Planning
• Change Management
• Proposal Writing
• Report Writing
• Gender Equality Programming
• EVAW Programming
• GIHA Programming
• Livelihood Programming
• Office Applications
• Spreadsheet Management
• Database Management
• Web-based Management Systems
• ERP Systems
• Oracle Cloud
• Finance Management
• Budget Management
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Bilateral Funding
• Multilateral Funding Mechanisms

Languages

English