International Consultant, WPS at UN Women

Role

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 Ethiopia’s Strategic Note 2026-2030 aims to fully operationalize the Humanitarian Development and Peace nexus. The Women Peace and Security (WPS) sub-thematic area is mainly expected to be a driving force to implement the soon to be launched first ever National Action Plan for the UNSCR 1325 as well as providing strategic insights and capacities to ensure that the major peacebuilding frameworks such as the Transitional justice , National Dialogue , DDR and others effectively work for women and girls as active participants and beneficiaries .

The National International Consultant , WPS position will work as part of the Women Peace Security and Humanitarian Action team with operational interface with other country programme priorities such as normative support and data , Women’s leadership and participation in decision making , Women’s economic empowerment and ending violence against women and girls and in close collaboration with partners from UN System , Development partners , Government and Civil Society Organizations .

Reporting to Deputy Country Representative with overall guidance from Country Representative, the International Consultant WPS exercises overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing UN Women interventions under WPS portfolio including resource mobilization for Humanitarian Development and Peace Nexus .

The International Consultant works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team, UN Women Regional office , HQ staff, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UN Women programme implementation under WPS portfolio.

Design and develop programme strategies in the area of Women Peace and Security

• 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 and regional states levels .
• Develop annual workplans
• Coordinate and work closely with the WPS project staff and focal persons from other UN Agencies through the Peace and Governance UNSCDF Result Group
• Provide technical advice to UN, Government and CSOs partners on Women Peace and Security.
• Prepare project financial and budget variance report; Participate in the WPS Projects Steering Committees, project reviews and/or evaluation meetings as per the guidance from the immediate Supervisor and the Country Representative.
• Oversee the management and monitoring of Implementing Partners (IPs) Agreements, including ensuring compliance and timely updates in the systems designed for that effect.
• Follow up on IP audit findings in line with the relevant policy requirements.

Manage the implementation and management of the WPS programme

• Finalize the annual workplan and budget and manage their implementation;
• Manage the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams;
• Manage the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
• Provide guidance to personnel and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators;

Manage technical assistance and capacity development to project/programme partners

• Manage the implementation of technical advice and guidance. Develop and implement technical tools, and initiatives
• Build and manage relationships with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the WPS programme; respond to any potential problems;
• Identify capacity building needs of partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training and capacity development initiatives to partners.

Manage the monitoring and reporting of the programme/ project

• In close collaboration with the WPS National Programme Officer and the Programme Associate WPSHA
• Manage the monitoring of programme/ project implementation and finances using results-based management tools;
• Oversee field missions and review reports on monitoring missions;
• Write quarterly reports and donor reports, focusing on results, output and outcomes;
• Contribute to office donor and UN Women reports.

Manage the people and financial resources of the WPS programme

• Manage the programme budget and draft financial reports;
• Supervise Programme Officer, Programme Associate (under matrix management with GiHA Specialist) and potential Technical Specialists , consultants;
• Mentor and coach personnel and conduct performance assessments.
• Oversee recruitment processes, as necessary.

Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies

• Lead the implementation of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies for WPS and its nexus with Humanitarian Action ;
• Finalize relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization for WPSHA ;
• 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 WPS to achieve coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes with other partners in the country

• Provide technical support to the Representative and Deputy Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by attending Results Group and specific WPS related meetings, 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.

Manage advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

• Develop and review background documents, briefs and presentations related to WPS ;
• Represent UN Women in meetings and policy dialogues on issues related to WPS 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 [thematic area].

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 International Consultant WPS leads a team of 2 personnel including one direct report (Programme Officer) and one Programme Associate on matrix management basis. The team directly reporting to the incumbent may expand with additional support staff and consultants.

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
• 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 of Women Peace and Security (WPS) programming
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies

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 conflict and post conflict setting and the nexus between WPS and Humanitarian Action 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
• The use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• 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.)

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.