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.
In support of Syria’s political process under Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and in line with the UN Security Council's landmark resolution 1325 (2000), which enshrines the essential role of women in securing and maintaining peace, UN Women has been bolstering Syrian women’s leadership in peace-making since 2013. This has included logistical and substantive support to the work of the Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) in close collaboration with the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria (OSE), support to Syrian civil society, research and advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights, as well as coordination activities on women, peace and security issues in the context of Syria.
This work is done under the UN Women Syria Programme which receives generous support from the Governments of Finland, the Netherlands, and Norway as well as the European Union under a separate funding stream.
Reporting to the Syria, Women, Peace, and Security Programme Manager, the Programme Specialist supports the planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under their portfolio, with a particular focus on strengthening women’s full, effective and meaningful participation in the UN-led political process as well as building strategic partnerships and networking between actors working on women, peace and security in the context of Syria. As needed, the Policy Specialist will also support the civil society, research, and communications-related programme development, including on knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, and resource mobilization. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women ROAS and HQ staff, UN partners, multi and bilateral 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, peace, and security in the context of Syria
Design and formulate programme/ project proposals and initiatives with a particular focus on women’s full, effective and meaningful participation in Syria’s political process and coordination;
Draft inputs to strategy documents, briefs, policy dialogue, knowledge products, publications, and other documents related to women, peace, and security in the context of Syria;
Provide technical inputs to programme proposals, including by Syrian civil society actors;
Provide advice on contextualizing/ localizing programme documents, strategies, and knowledge products.
Manage the implementation of the Syria Women, Peace and Security Programme, particularly work related to the Women’s Advisory Board and Syrian women’s civil society actors
Contribute to the annual work plan and budget and support programme implementation, particularly for the political process and coordination workstreams;
Contribute to the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams;
Review the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
Provide substantive 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 technical assistance and capacity development for project/programme partners
Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance; develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives;
Build and manage relationships with Syrian and international partners to support the implementation and expansion of the Syria Women, Peace and Security Programme; respond to any potential problems;
Identify the capacity-building needs of Syrian partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training, and capacity development initiatives to partners.
Contribute to the monitoring and reporting of the programme/ project
Contribute to the monitoring of programme/ project implementation and finances using results-based management tools;
Oversee field missions, particularly Women’s Advisory Board meetings, and draft/review reports on monitoring missions;
Contribute to office, donor, and UN Women reports.
Manage human and financial resources of the Syria Women, Peace and Security Programme
Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
As needed, supervise administrative and junior staff; mentor and coach personnel and conduct performance assessments;
Manage 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, peace, and security issues pertaining to Syria to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners working on Syria
Provide technical support to the Regional Women, Peace and Security Advisor, and Syria Programme Manager on inter-agency coordination-related activities by attending and organizing meetings, and 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.
Design and implement advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts
Develop and review background documents, briefs, and presentations related to women, peace, and security in the context of Syria;
Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to women, peace, and security in the context of Syria 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, peace, and security in the context of Syria.
Key Performance Indicators
Timely and quality programme design and inputs to Strategic Note;
Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget and work plans, 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.
