Programme Specialist - Gender, Peace and Social Cohesion [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health and livelihoods.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

Programme implementation is overseen by the Deputy Resident Representative for Programme with support from the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) which serves as the independent internal quality assurance mechanism separate from project design and implementation. The main priorities of this unit are to ensure quality programme design, effective Results Based Management, Programme coherence, appropriate application of social and environment safeguards, compliance with corporate policies and procedures throughout the programme cycle, and proper programme financial management. PMSU works in close collaboration with the country office Operations on efficiency and compliance related to delivery, finance and audits.

The Head of PMSU oversees a Capacity Building Team that provides integrated programme and project‑level technical expertise in the areas of Social and Environmental Standards (SES), gender equality and women’s empowerment, and Cash‑Based Interventions (CBI). The team supports risk‑informed programme and project design, quality assurance, and the monitoring of effective implementation. The Capacity Building Team comprises the Programme Specialist – Social and Environmental Standards and Accountability, the Programme Specialist – Gender, Peace and Social Cohesion, and the Programme Specialist – Cash-Based Programming and Resilience. The post of Programme Specialist – Gender, Peace and Social Cohesion falls within this Capacity Building Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Quality and Coherence for Advancing Gender and Peace Outcomes.

• Review and validate programme and project documentation (e.g. concept notes/proposals, project documents and revisions, and ToRs) for alignment, coherence and compliance with UNDP Strategic Plan, UNDP Gender Equality Strategy, Country Office Gender Action Plan, and relevant Social and Environmental Standards (SES) programming principles.
• Assess the internal coherence of the gender analysis, including the alignment of indicators, targets, risks, and assumptions related to gender equality and peace outcomes.
• Provide technical quality assurance and advisory support to ensure programme portfolio consistently delivers outcome‑level results on gender equality, social cohesion and peacebuilding.
• Lead and institutionalize structured quality reviews of Gender Marker application, gender‑related and safeguard risks (including GBV/SEA), and partner delivery performance related to gender equality, peace, and social cohesion.
• Support programme teams to design and implement interventions that achieve strong or transformative gender equality results (GEN2 and GEN3), where feasible, with measurable improvements contributing to peace and social cohesion.
• Consolidate and validate outcome‑level evidence on contribution to women’s economic empowerment, social cohesion and peacebuilding to inform management decision‑making and corporate reporting.

Lead Gender Mainstreaming in ABADEI Interventions from Design and Planning to Implementation and Monitoring.

• Provides technical leadership and advisory support to ensure gender-responsive planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Maintains regular engagement with UNDP’s responsible parties and other programme counterparts to ensure monitoring of programmes' progress and effectiveness and achievement of results.
• Conducts analysis and research of the gender dimension in political, social and economic situation and collaborates in preparation/revision of programme documents, AWP and other documents.
• Facilitates assessment of the country’s policies and their impact on women’s economic empowerment, social cohesion and SDG design
• Designs and formulates gender components of Area-Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI) interventions, translating gender priorities into local interventions and ensuring coordination and networking with clients, stakeholders and programme partners.
• Conducts training and capacity building on gender equality for UNDP staff, responsible parties, and other programme counterparts.
• Monitor and report on gender indicators to inform progress tracking, learning, and results reporting.

Provision of Strategic Direction and Policy Advice to Support the Development of Women’s Economic Empowerment, Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding Initiatives.

• Works closely with UN agency counterparts to strengthen UNDP’s positioning in the gender equality and women’s empowerment space by providing technical contribution and substantive inputs to inter‑agency coordination platforms and technical working groups on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) and Women, Peace and Security (WPS), fostering coherent and complementary UN system approaches.
• Provide strategic advice and policy‑oriented inputs to guide Country Office engagement on women’s economic empowerment, social cohesion and peacebuilding, ensuring alignment with UNDP corporate priorities, UNDP Transitional Country Programme Strategy (TCPS), and UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA).
• Translate field‑level evidence, evaluations, project reports, lessons learned, and data into policy analysis and strategic briefs to inform senior management decision‑making and programme direction.
• Provide substantive technical and policy advice on gender equality, social cohesion, and peacebuilding to support resource mobilization efforts, including preparation of technical inputs for donor engagement and programme design narratives, aligned with donor priorities.
• Provide strategic advice to senior management on gender‑ and peace‑related risks, opportunities, and adaptive pathways in Afghanistan’s complex operating environment.

Provide Guidance and Support to Mainstream Gender Equality across Programmes and Operations within the Office.

• Provide strategic and operational guidance to ensure the systematic mainstreaming of gender equality across programmes and operations, in line with UNDP corporate policies and adapted to Afghanistan’s local context.
• Support programme and operations teams to apply gender‑responsive budgeting, procurement, contracting and partner engagement, through technical guidance and quality assurance,
• Provide Partner Capacity Assessment on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and the integration of PSEA and safeguard requirements in Terms of Reference, Calls for Proposals and relevant agreements.
• Provide PSEAH support to the senior management of the office including prepare compliance report on an annual basis.
• Ensure accountability and credibility in the application of the Gender Marker, and support continuous quality improvement across projects.
• Provide technical and advisory support to the Country Office in relation to audits, evaluations, compliance reviews, and management actions on gender equality, peace, social inclusion, PSEA, and safeguards.

Facilitate Knowledge and Capacity Building, Knowledge Sharing, and Advocacy.

• Facilitate documentation and dissemination of good practices, innovations and lessons learned on gender‑responsive, peace‑sensitive and socially cohesive programming.
• Develop and support the use of context‑specific tools, guidance notes, training modules and checklists to strengthen staff and partner capacity in gender equality, PSEA and social cohesion.
• Support internal learning platforms, communities of practice and cross‑team coordination mechanisms to strengthen institutional learning and delivery coherence.
• Contribute to advocacy and communication efforts by preparing evidence‑based briefs, stories of change and talking points that elevate women’s voices and demonstrate UNDP’s contribution to women’s economic empowerment, social cohesion and peacebuilding.
• Promote peer learning and South–South exchange by linking Afghanistan’s experience with relevant crisis-affected settings.

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

Institutional Arrangement: The Programme Specialist – Gender, Peace and Social Cohesion will work under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) with matrix reporting to the Project Manager (ABADEI). The incumbent will supervise two personnel (NPSA6).

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
• People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies Cross-Functional Competencies

• Business Direction & Strategy
  • System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
  • Business Management Technical Competencies
    • Results-based Management Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
    • Monitoring & Evaluation Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
    • Risk Management Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
    • 2030 Agenda: Prosperity
      • Inclusive Growth Women's economic empowerment
      • 2030 Agenda: People Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA Min. Education requirements Min. years of relevant work experience Required skills Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section Required Language(s) Professional Certificates Equal opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. Right to select multiple candidates UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Use of AI by candidates Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert. #LI-DNI
        • Gender Gender Equality Seal for Development
        • Gender Women, Peace and Security
        • Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Gender Studies or in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Political Sciences or related field is required or,
        • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.
        • Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional work experience in the design, quality assurance, management, and/or technical advisory support of programmes on gender equality, women’s empowerment, peacebuilding and social cohesion in international development organizations and/or bilateral development agencies.
        • Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender, peacebuilding and social cohesion into programming across sectors.
        • Demonstrated experience in designing gender equality indicators, monitoring gender equality achievements, and reporting on gender equality results for development projects.
        • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web-based management systems.
        • Demonstrated experience in providing capacity-building on gender equality, PSEA, and social cohesion for UNDP staff, implementing partners, responsible parties, and other programme counterparts.
        • Demonstrated experience working in crisis/post-crisis settings.
        • Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations.
        • Knowledge of Results-Based Management methodologies
        • Fluency in English is required.
        • N/A