Job Description

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.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), adopted unanimously in October 2000, underscores the critical role of women’s equal participation and full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security. Since then, seven additional resolutions have been adopted, further strengthening the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

UN Women works to advance women’s engagement in peace and security by promoting the effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting of global commitments on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. These commitments are outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action and in Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2122 (2013), and 2242 (2015), as well as in relevant Presidential Statements and UN accountability frameworks. The resolutions on sustaining peace (S/RES/2282 and A/RES/70/262) emphasize a comprehensive approach to peacebuilding that strengthens capacities for peace across all stages of the conflict cycle. In this context, UN Women supports efforts to build the capacity of actors engaged in inclusive peacebuilding and national dialogue processes, with the goal of enhancing women’s participation, influence, and gender-equality outcomes.

The Federal Government of Somalia has demonstrated strong commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as an integral part of its broader state-building and peace consolidation efforts. In January 2023, the Government launched its first National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (2022–2026), developed through an inclusive process led by the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development (MoFHRD) in collaboration with federal member states, civil society organizations, and development partners.

The NAP provides a strategic framework to enhance women’s participation and leadership in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, protection, and recovery processes. It is aligned with the National Development Plan, the National Gender Policy, and the National Reconciliation Framework, underscoring the Government’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment as key drivers of peace and sustainable development.

While notable progress has been made in promoting women’s representation and engagement in governance and peace structures, significant challenges persist. These include ongoing insecurity, limited institutional capacity, weak coordination among WPS actors at federal and state levels, and social and cultural barriers that constrain women’s full participation in decision-making and access to justice and protection mechanisms.

In this context where the 2nd National Action Plan is being developed, continued technical and programmatic support is essential to strengthen coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the WPS agenda, enhance institutional accountability, and ensure the meaningful participation and protection of women and girls across peacebuilding and governance processes at both national and state levels.

Reporting to the Country Program Manager, the WPS Specialist exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and technical support to the Women, Peace and Security Program interventions under the WPS portfolio. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women HQ and ESARO staff, UN partners, Government officials, Development Partners and civil society ensuring successful implementation of the overall portfolio.

Manage the implementation and management of the Women Peace and Security programme

• Provide strategic guidance in the design and adaptation of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) programming, ensuring coherence with national peacebuilding priorities and the UN Women Global Strategic Plan.

• Lead or contribute to conflict and gender analyses to inform programme design, risk mitigation, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Ensure alignment of WPS interventions with ongoing efforts in governance, humanitarian response, and development programming.

• Ensure day-to-day administration of the Women, Peace and Security project to ensure that the workplan for 2026-2027 is timely implemented at the Federal level and Federal Member states. 

• Develop annual workplans

• Develop terms of reference and supervision of consultants who will be working towards programme delivery.

• Support the recruitment and supervision of national staff recruited under the WPS portfolio.

• Coordinate and work closely with the WPS project staff and focal persons at the UN Mission, UN Agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the FGS and FMS levels and contribute to building synergy and smooth implementation including the Technical Working Group at National and subnational level

• Provide technical advice to UN, Government and CSOs partners on Women Peace and Security;

• Prepare project financial and budget variance report; Participate in the Project Steering Committee, project review and/or evaluation meetings as per the guidance of the country program manager.

• Oversee the management and monitoring of Implementing Partners (IPs) and IP Agreements, including ensuring compliance and timely updates in systems such as PGAMS

• Follow up on IP audit findings in line with the new PMR policy requirements.

Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme:

• Manage the process of monitoring the programme/ project implementation of activities and finances using results-based management tools;

• Analyze project progress against the Results and Resources Framework (RRF) and develop mechanisms to ensure that the project remains on track.

• Support the onboarding processes of Implementing Partners including review, evaluation, capacity assessment, submission to LPAC/RPAC/GPAC and contracting.

• Undertake missions to all Federal Member State project locations on a quarterly basis.

• Ensure midterm and end term evaluations are undertaken in accordance with the Project Documents;

• Coordinate and review the inputs from the UN, Government and CSOs partners in relation to the WPS portfolio, consolidate and finalize the donor reports;

• Provide project updates and inputs to the UN Women Quarterly, Annual and other donor reports;

• Build, manage, and expand relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the Women Peace and Security programme; respond to any potential problems;

• Organize and provide guidance to staff and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators and donor requirements of the project.

• Ensure all interventions adhere to “Do No Harm” principles and integrate conflict-sensitive approaches.

•  Identify and monitor programmatic, political, and operational risks, recommending mitigation measures in coordination with relevant partners.

• Uphold UN Women’s standards on safeguarding, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies:

• Identify and lead the development of new programming and partnership opportunities that advance women’s leadership and protection in peacebuilding and governance.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies;

• Foster strategic relationships with parliamentarians, traditional leaders, and national authorities to advance WPS priorities and promote women’s participation in decision-making.

• Finalize relevant documentation on donor proposals and develop potential opportunities for resource mobilization;

• Analyze and research information on donors, finalize substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost sharing.

• Provide coordination support to establishment and Coordinate the PBF WPS CSOs Reference Groups, development partners and other related forums, convene meetings, minute taking and follow-up on action points;

• Organize periodic consultations with key stakeholders, women leaders, women CSOs, human rights experts and UN partners to gather inputs, as necessary.

• Organize technical level discussions with government and other national stakeholders

• Strengthen linkages between the WPS agenda and complementary thematic areas, including Security Sector Reform (SSR), climate security, governance, and women’s economic empowerment.

• Promote integrated approaches that address the interconnections between peace, gender equality, and sustainable development within Somalia’s evolving context.

Contribute technically to  inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for the Women Peace and Security in Somalia:

• Provide substantive technical support to the Country Program Manager on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending meetings, events, and participating in groups and committees;

• Coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and CSOs to ensure the projects’ capacity development programme is harmonized and aligned with the WPS agenda and other in-country efforts;

• Take part in technical and review meetings of the UNCF Results Group 1 on Transformative Governance .

Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts of Women Peace and Security programme

• Develop and implement communication and advocacy messages and contribute inputs to strategies on key gender and protection concerns.

• Support the development of policy briefs, communication materials, and advocacy tools to influence WPS-related policy processes.

• Provide support to the development and implementation of strategies of advocacy campaigns and communication activities related to WPS programme;

• Lead the coordination of stakeholders’ engagement in organizing meetings, communicating with partners and maintaining smooth flow of information within UN Women and partners;

• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide project improvement and strategy planning;

• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies on WPS.

• Prepare and finalize Newsletter, web-write-up focusing on results, output and outcomes;

• Undertake needs assessment and implement and oversee capacity building on Women Peace and Security.

• Capture and disseminate lessons learned and best practices to strengthen the WPS knowledge base.

• Contribute to regional and global WPS learning exchanges, ensuring Somalia’s experiences inform broader UN Women programming.

• Develop tools, briefs, and reports to enhance organizational learning and evidence-based advocacy

Cross-Thematic Integration

• Strengthen linkages between the WPS agenda and complementary thematic areas, including Security Sector Reform (SSR), climate security, governance, and women’s economic empowerment.

• Promote integrated approaches that address the interconnections between peace, gender equality, and sustainable development using the HDP nexus within Somalia’s evolving context.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: the incumbent leads a team of 7, which includes 1 direct report (1 NPSA Programme Assistant), as well as 6 affiliate personnel (seconded to the partners). 

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;

• 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 in Women Peace and Security;

• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;

• Strong networking skills;

• Ability to negotiate and interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising;

• Knowledge of post-conflict context is an asset

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 Women Peace and Security in post conflict setting is required.

• 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

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language is 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.)

How to apply

https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/32183

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.