UN Women: Programme Coordination Analyst Gender and Push Forward, NPSA9, Istanbul, Türkiye - Istanbul, Türkiye

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.

The UN Women ECARO implements the Strategic Note (SN) 2026–2029, which identifies the growing backlash against gender equality, shrinking civic space and anti-rights mobilization as key regional challenges affecting democratic governance and women's rights. In response, ECARO developed the Push Forward Strategy as a regional strategic framework to strengthen institutional coherence, advance evidence-based programming and policy engagement.

The implementation of the Push Forward Strategy is reflected across the Strategic Note outcomes and outputs and through the 2026–2027 Biannual Work Plan. Its implementation is supported through the Government of Denmark-funded regional programme Women's Increased Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies, which contributes to strengthening gender-responsive governance, advancing women's leadership and participation in decision-making, and promoting the meaningful participation of women and girls, including those from marginalized groups, in democratic governance and peacebuilding processes across the region.

The position is located within the Programme Team of the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and contributes to the implementation of the Push Forward Strategy and the Denmark-funded regional programme. The incumbent reports to the Regional Gender and Good Governance Specialist who serves as the Programme Manager, with matrix supervision provided by the Regional Director / Deputy Regional Director, to guide on overall strategy implementation and ensure strategic alignment with ECARO priorities. The position works in close collaboration with ECARO programme teams, Country Offices, Headquarters and external partners to support coherent implementation of the Push Forward Strategy and related regional initiatives.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

1. Contribute technically to the implementation and further development of the ECARO Push Forward Strategy

• Serve as the Regional Office focal point for the implementation of the ECARO Push Forward Strategy, coordinating its implementation, providing technical coordination and substantive guidance across the Regional Office and Country Offices and ensuring coherence and strategic alignment across programmes and portfolios.
• Analyze emerging trends, implementation needs and programme priorities related to backlash against gender equality and identify strategic opportunities and appropriate approaches to strengthen the implementation and further development of the Push Forward Strategy.
• Maintain the ECARO Push Forward Task Force and facilitate coordination with Headquarters, UNCTs, GTGs, Country Offices and relevant regional teams to ensure coherent implementation and alignment with corporate priorities, guidance and initiatives related to backlash against gender equality.
• Identify implementation priorities and strategic opportunities, provide technical support and guidance for the integration of the Push Forward Strategy into annual workplans and programme implementation, and monitor progress against agreed priorities and deliverables.
• Monitor progress of implementation of activities and provide substantive inputs to the preparation of donor and UN Women reports.

2. Provide substantive inputs to building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies linked to the Push Forward Strategy

• Identify and assess potential partnership and resource mobilization opportunities related to the implementation and further development of the Push Forward Strategy and provide substantive inputs to resource mobilization concept notes and proposals.
• Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, briefing notes, speeches analytical inputs and strategic background material.
• Participate in donor meetings and public information events, as requested.

3. Support knowledge management and institutional learning under the implementation of Push Forward Strategy

• Prepare and synthesize analytical evidence, background documents, policy briefs, presentations and other knowledge products related to backlash against gender equality and the implementation of the ECARO Push Forward Strategy.
• Maintain and regularly update the regional repository of analytical products, tools, guidance, good practices and other knowledge resources related to backlash and the Push Forward Strategy.
• Identify, synthesize and disseminate relevant regional and global analyses, policy developments and knowledge products to ECARO teams and Country Offices.
• Prepare regional webinars, trainings, workshops, learning events and other knowledge-sharing initiatives to promote exchange of experiences and good practices.
• Synthesize lessons learned, promising practices and emerging approaches to inform regional programming, policy engagement and institutional learning.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge management methodologies, tools and learning products to strengthen institutional capacity and support the implementation of the ECARO PushForward Strategy.

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

5. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent might supervise an intern and time/task-bound 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:

• Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Good knowledge of Results Based Management
• Strong analytical and research skills, with ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into practical guidance.
• Excellent writing and knowledge management skills, including developing, adapting, and disseminating tools, briefs, guidance, and learning materials.
• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations
• Good knowledge of gender equality, women’s rights, gender backlash, anti-rights mobilization, civic space dynamics, and democratic resilience.
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, law, human rights, gender equality, management, social sciences or other related areas 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 2 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in managing complex and multi-component programme interventions with national partners, preferably related to thematic area, is required.
• Experience in the field of gender equality, women’s rights, gender backlash, anti-rights mobilization, civic space dynamics, and democratic resilience is required.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in 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 (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

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.