Purpose of the job: 

UNICEF Afghanistan has secured resources to implement an 18-month project (2024-2025) that will focus on supporting women and girls’ access to quality health nutrition and education services in the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. In addition to supporting health workers to understand gender barriers to access to health the project mainly focuses on addressing gender inequality and other gender-related barriers that affect women adolescents, children, and persons’ access to health, nutrition, and education services. This intervention will be implemented across 34 Provinces of Afghanistan.

In addition, UNICEF Afghanistan will be implementing a new gender equality strategic framework that focuses on the capacity strengthening of frontline workers, securing continued access by women and girls to services, and protecting space for women and girls including delivering services with and for women and

girls. UNICEF Afghanistan is therefore hiring a Programme Officer (Gender) to support the implementation of these interventions, in particular supporting gender integration capacity strengthening and implementation in Health, Nutrition, and Education, but also across other UNICEF programme sectors as necessary.

The Programme Officer will support the implementation of gender, SEA/SH and GBV interventions under the WB/ADB programs, supporting coordination with all key participating sectors, including Health, Nutrition, Education and Child Protection.

Under the direct supervision of the Gender Programme Specialist, the Programme Officer (Gender)will provide professional technical assistance and support the gender section to effectively implement interventions that address key gendered barriers in UNICEF programs and that promote safe access to services by women and children and gender quality. In addition, provide support to programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis, and progress reporting, in support of programme goals and objectives.

How can you make a difference?

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Contribute to country programs by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of “lessons learned” and other corporate-level databases.

Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance. Participate in the preparation of, and making professional contribution to, the preparation of programme reports required for the management.

2. Programme Development and Management

Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyze country-level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programs and projects. Draft or prepare program work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal program documentation, and new approaches, methods, and practices for supervisors. In particular, the Programme Officer (Gender) will:

• Support with the overall implementation of the gender, GBV, and PSEA component of the World Bank (WB)/Asian Development Bank (ADB) project, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on the World Bank/ADB project.
• Support UNICEF program sectors including Health, Nutrition, Education, WASH, and Polio to ensure the implementation of the UNICEF Gender Action Plan as a critical cross-cutting issue, with adolescent girls targeted priorities for 2024-2025, ensuring that UNICEF can deliver services with and for women and girls.
• Coordinate with sectoral counterparts and implementing partner staff to develop and implement gender activities in Afghanistan including rolling plans and training to targeted sectoral frontline workers in Health, Nutrition, Education, and WASH among others.
• Support the implementation of the UNICEF Gender Action Plan and targeted gender interventions including coordinating with CP to support GBV risk mitigation and response in Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces; conducting safety audits, working with men and boys to promote gender equality in Afghanistan and capacity building across all these areas.
• Work with sectoral colleagues (CP, Nutrition, Health, Wash, Social Behaviour Change) to ensure effective culturally sensitive interventions targeting women, adolescent girls, and their families on gender equality, information GBV prevention, and available GBV services.

3. Optimum Use of Program Funds

Monitors programme implementation progress and compliance.  Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Plans and Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.
• Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major program evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer, and others to improve the efficiency and quality of program delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports promptly, as required.
• Act as the focal point for planning, monitoring, and reporting activities on behalf of the Gender Unit in coordination with the PMD team, including country office work planning, monitoring, and reporting (monthly, mid-year, and annual) and donor reporting.

5.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Support a rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Contribute to coherence, synergy, and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to program planning and design.

Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfillment of the rights of children and women.

6.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

• Provide implementing partners with technical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programs for capacity building and program sustainability.
• Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners by identifying these partners and partnerships and providing continuous support, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.
• Provide support to roll out of capacity building of UNICEF sectoral counterparts and frontline workers in Health, Education, Nutrition and WASH to address key gendered barriers to access including mainstreaming of GBV risk mitigation.

7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Analyze program-related issues and policies from a children’s and women’s rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on program/project status and implementation, and movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate program data.

• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.  Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored, and liquidated under the program budget allotments (PBA).
• Maintain close collaboration with CO, Regional and HQ teams for overall coordination.
• Support the Gender Unit to coordinate with key Clusters including Gender Thematic Working Group (GTG), the PSEA Inter-Agency Network, and the GBV/ CP Sub-clusters for evidence generation, analysis, strategies, and lesson learning.
• Provide professional support in the provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy, and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by the UNICEF program.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Gender, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional work experience in project management and development relevant to gender integration in areas of Health, Education, Nutrition, and WASH sectors
• Experience of working in GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response – previous experience in GBV risk mitigation in areas of UNICEF Programming is an advantage.
• Substantive knowledge of the UNICEF Gender Action Plan and practical experience in gender analysis and integration in key UNICEF programs such as Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection and WASH is an asset.
• Experience in adolescent girls programming is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience with the design and delivery of gender and GBV-sensitive programming including developing and utilizing context-specific GBV and adolescent programming tools and guidance is an asset.
• Knowledge of results-based program management experience with a focus on project planning and capacity building is an asset.
• Experience in program and/or technical assistance with the UN System or with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank or similar development partners/donors, will be an added advantage.
• Development Bank or similar development partners/donors will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of UNICEF Programming cycles including planning and reporting procedures is an asset.
• Field experience is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.