UN Women: Technical Specialist: Integrated Programming and Coordination, Home-Based, International Consultant

Background:

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 has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has five key programme priorities: (1) Integrated Programming and Localization, (2) Women’s movement building through core grant making; 3) Policy and Research; 4) Economic Resilience and Private Sector and 5) Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. UN Women Afghanistan operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices located in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.

UN Women Afghanistan Country Office operates in a highly constrained and rapidly evolving context. The Country Office’s programming is shaped by political, economic, humanitarian, and protection-related developments, as well as by the capacities and risks facing women’s organizations and implementing partners. Within this setting, the Integrated services portfolio plays a critical role in supporting women and girls through EVAW programming, essential protection services and humanitarian programming, coordination with civil society organizations, and quality oversight of implementing partners.

Following recent organizational restructuring and funding reductions, the Integrated Services team requires short-term coordination support for six months. The assignment will prioritize closure of partner agreements, onboarding and implementation readiness of new partners, coordination of key thematic initiatives including the 16 Days of Activism, technical follow-up on gender-based violence (GBV) and psychosocial support (PSS), and programme quality assessments. The support will help maintain business continuity and ensure timely, compliant, and results-focused delivery. The objective of the consultancy is to provide time-bound programme coordination and technical support to the Integrated Programming and Localization Unit, with particular attention to partner closure and onboarding, thematic coordination, programme quality assurance, and completion of priority programme management actions.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Integrated Programming and Localization Programme Manager, and in close coordination with relevant programme, operations, Sub-Office, and partner personnel, the Programme Coordinator will:

1- Provide Advisory Support and Technical Programme Guidance for the Integrated Programme Unit

• 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;
• Lead the design of the Localization Workflow
• 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.
• Supports the development of the Integrated Programming Strategy
• Facilitate effective information flow, communication and coordination across the unit and between Sub-Offices and other ACO units and pillars; and

2- Manage capacity development to project/programme partners 

• Provide technical support and advisory services to responsible parties and civil society partners on programme implementation, compliance, and quality standards.
• Design and deliver targeted coaching, mentoring, and capacity-building support to partners in areas such as results-based management, reporting, service quality, safeguarding, and survivor-centered programming.
• Support the design and rollout of calls for proposals, partner selection processes, partner onboarding, and implementation readiness.
• Conduct performance assessment of the current Programme partners to inform partner prioritization and selection for 2027
• Advise on engagement with women-led organizations, women activists, shelters, and relevant coordination platforms, including the Afghan Shelter Network where relevant.

3- Coordinate partner agreement closure and onboarding

• Lead the review of partner agreements due for closure and establish priorities, timelines and accountabilities for completing all 2026 outstanding actions.
• Oversee the completion of narrative, financial, programmatic, compliance, asset, refund and documentation requirements for partner agreement closure.
• Analyze closure bottlenecks and risks and recommend timely corrective or escalation measures.
• Coordinate closure actions across programme, finance, operations, Sub-Offices and responsible partners and ensure that decisions and follow-up actions are properly documented.
• Manage the programmatic onboarding of newly selected responsible partners and amendments, including orientation, risk review, workplan finalization, compliance readiness and implementation planning for Q4 2026 and Q1 2027.

4- Coordinate thematic programme priorities

• Lead the planning and coordination of the 16 Days of Activism across programme teams, Sub-Offices and responsible partners, ensuring coherence, timely implementation and consolidated reporting.
• Facilitate collaboration among UN Women teams, responsible partners and relevant stakeholders to strengthen coherence across thematic interventions.
• Provide technical oversight and coordination for GBV and PSS interventions, including essential services, referral pathways, safeguarding and survivor-centred approaches.
• Identify thematic implementation gaps, emerging risks and opportunities and recommend appropriate programmatic responses.
• Represent the Integrated Programming and Localization Unit in relevant technical discussions and coordination mechanisms, including GBV, protection and mental health and psychosocial support forums, as delegated by the Programme Manager. 

5- Manage knowledge building efforts

• Manage the process of identifying and synthesizing of best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the Programme and contribute to their global dissemination.
• Finalize lessons learned and communication products on ACO work in prisons, Drug Treatment and Male engagement efforts

 6- Strengthen monitoring, reporting, and programme coordination

• Monitor priority actions, results, risks, and delivery timelines and recommend timely corrective action where required.
• Review and Finalise  the EU Report and supporting documents
• Prepare and consolidate briefing notes, progress summaries, management updates, presentations, donor inputs, and other programme documentation.
• Coordinate regular follow-up with programme teams, Sub-Offices, operations colleagues, and partners to resolve implementation issues and maintain a clear record of decisions and actions.
• Document lessons learned, good practices, recurring gaps, and recommendations to support programme improvement and handover.

 7- Build partnerships and provide support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Develop and implement partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;
• Lead coordination with Sub-Offices to support the development of  a standard Integrated Programme Proposal to be adapted per various funding opportunities
• Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for resource mobilization and cost sharing;
• Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UN Women, country needs and donors’ priorities and develop the relevant partnerships. 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel                                                                

This consultancy is primarily home-based. The consultant is expected to work closely with the Afghanistan Country Office team and maintain availability during Afghanistan working hours as required for coordination. Travel to Kabul may be required for strategic planning, coordination, training, or programme review purposes, subject to security conditions, organizational approval, and availability of funds.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them.
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management.
• Good knowledge of UN programme management systems.

IV. Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Public Health, 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.

Experience:

• 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, Public Health and livelihoods is required
• Experience in an international organization 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.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable;
• knowledge of Dari or Pashto desirable 

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.