Normative and Coordination Specialist

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 is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) supports 25 countries across the region, including both presence and non-presence countries. Under the overall guidance of the Regional Coordination & Normative Specialist (P4), the Coordination and Normative Officer will provide technical and operational support to strengthen inter-agency coordination, support normative processes, and enhance gender mainstreaming efforts in the region.

The Officer will play a supporting role in advancing the regional coordination portfolio, particularly by assisting in implementation and follow-up of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard, normative intergovernmental initiatives, UNSDCF processes, gender parity efforts, and capacity building

Key Functions and Accountabilities

Coordination and Technical Support to inter-agency processes

• Support Country Offices (COs) and Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) on integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) into UNSDCF processes, joint programmes, and pooled financing mechanisms.
• Support the Regional Coordination & Normative Specialist in preparing inputs for regional coordination mechanisms (e.g., PSG, RCP, GTGs).
• Prepare background notes, summaries, and preparatory materials to inform inter-agency decision-making.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Accountability

• Collect, consolidate, and verify data for regional coordination reporting.
• Prepare draft inputs for Executive Board submissions, regional analyses, and donor reporting.
• Maintain and update reporting tools, ensuring accuracy of coordination indicators (UNCT-SWAP, GEM, parity dashboards, UN INFO)
• Provide logistical and technical support for the roll-out and follow-up of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard, including monitoring action plan implementation
• Support COs and Gender Theme Groups (GTGs) in using UNCT-SWAP and GEM data for programming, advocacy, and tracking progress.

Normative and Intergovernmental Processes

• Support COs and GTGs in using UNCT-SWAP and GEM data for programming and advocacy.
• Track implementation progress and draft periodic updates.
• Participate in and provide support to joint inter-agency UN planning processes and similar exercises;
• Prepare briefing materials for the CO/MCO on issues to be discussed in the UN and other events and meetings;
• Support the Regional Coordination and Normative Specialist in preparing regional gender dynamics and opportunities analysis among others to advise Resident Coordinator (RC)s and the UN Country Teams (UNCT)

Contribute to normative and intergovernmental processes

• Support the preparation of regional inputs for global normative processes, including CSW, CEDAW reviews, Beijing+30, and SDG monitoring.
• Liaise with regional stakeholders (RECs, AU, OIBCs) to align normative commitments with UN system processes.
• Draft background materials and advocacy content to inform UNCT and inter-agency discussions.

Knowledge management and capacity development

• Document lessons learned and compile good practices on coordination and gender mainstreaming for knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of guidance materials, toolkits, and training resources.
• Facilitate peer-learning exchanges and capacity-building activities for COs, RCOs, and partners.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for workshops, trainings, and regional learning events.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The NOC will report directly to the Regional Coordination & Normative Specialist (P4) and work in close collaboration with other team members in the regional coordination portfolio, as well as with selected CO and RCO staff. Performance will be evaluated based on the UN Women Performance Management and Development system.

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 understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Familiarity with the UN system and coordination mechanisms.
• Ability to collect, organize, and analyze data.
• Strong drafting and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools.

Recruitment Qualifications

Education And Certification:

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in international development, public administration, public policy, or other relevant social science 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 (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage

Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience working with inter-agency coordination and strategic programme planning processes is required.
• Experience in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes is required.
• Experience working in gender equality and women’s rights at the international level is desirable.
• Experience working in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs is desirable.
• Experience with gender mainstreaming tools (e.g., UNCT-SWAP, GEM, gender parity) is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English required; 
• Knowledge of French or another UN language is an asset.

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.