Programme Associate, Gender

The Position:

The Programme Associate, Gender, position is located in the Country Office of UNFPA in Lilongwe, Malawi. Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, Gender/GBV, the Associate is responsible for providing high-quality services and day-to-day support for a range of programme functions. This includes advancing the programme development issues, as well as managing general administrative tasks such as event coordination, communications, drafting, stakeholder management, and external relations. All duties are performed in compliance with relevant rules, guidelines, processes, and procedures.

The Associate is responsible for providing substantive programme support in terms of IP management, quality assurance, budgeting/FACE etc. in ensuring the success of its activities. S/He also ensures effective delivery of financial & administration services, transparent utilization of financial resources and supports the management of the unit. S/He analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of programme, administration and financial issues.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

All staff of UNFPA Malawi will contribute towards achieving the objectives of 9th Country Programme Document (Malawi CPD [2024-2028]) which responds to the Malawi 2063 Vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2024-2028 among others and to accelerate progress towards the three UNFPA strategic plan outcomes.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Associate, Gender, collaborates closely with other Programme and Project staff to exchange information and ensure the consistent delivery of the Unit’s work. The Associate also provides comprehensive support to the programme units, including technical assistance to the overall efforts of the programme team in the country. S/He also works in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders to ensure effective support to the programme unit as well as IPs.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff, external partners and counterparts in support of administrative programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track. S/He leads efforts in providing programme, administrative and financial support to the programme and technical team, including data and research to support the overall work of the programme team in the country. Additionally, the Associate also works with the Administrative and Finance teams to ensure seamless support for the programme.

You would be responsible for:

The Programme Associate Gender, will be responsible for:

A. Supporting Programmes in the CO and with IPs

• Support the gender team in providing technical guidance to partners and stakeholders on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Contribute to the preparation of projects and programmes in the unit and with IPs.
• Intensively work with IPs on promotion of effective community participation in Programme planning and implementation.
• Assist IPs and community volunteers to understand Programme objectives and provides inputs for local Programme components in accordance with agreed upon procedures.
• Facilitate the participation of targeted groups in community planning events to represent community needs and ideas.
• Provide support to build capacity of local NGOs, service providers and volunteers and other key partners in the programme and support follow up actions.
• Assist in the coordination between the various units and projects developing or working to ensure proper mainstreaming.
• Assist in the identification, systematization and reporting of good/promising practices and lessons learnt on programmes.
• Coordinate with IPs on the timely submission of projects and financial reports on projects, including the review and finalization of inputs on reports.
• Monitor the overall expenditure targets among IPs against allocations of funds.
• Assist IPs in preparing request of Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures (FACE) and follow up on implementing procedures to ensure timely submission of all financial and progress reports.
• Assist in monitoring projects’ expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with approved budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels.
• Maintain and update partners and project files, including project progress reports, work plans and budgets in compliance with UNFPA policies and procedures.
• Ensure that corporate procurement management policies and strategies are adequately applied by IPs in project implementation.
• Develop briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations for the programme team.
• Assist the programme team in providing support and advice to the CO on programme matters.

B. Research and Knowledge Management Sharing Support

• Perform research assistance duties for the programme unit.
• Provide communication support and assist in the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns on gender equality and women’s rights for UNFPA, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor the implementation of gender programmes, ensuring activities are on track and aligned with UNFPA’s goals.
• Produce monthly reports on the status of related programmes or projects in UNFPA Malawi CO and with IPs.
• Gather and analyze feedback from programme participants and stakeholders to inform ongoing and future activities.
• Record and distribute key knowledge pieces and materials in a timely manner to clients and stakeholders.
• Correctly project UNFPA rules, policy positions, etc. on programme matters in all activities.

C. Gender Programme Support 

• Support the implementation of gender-related initiatives, contributing to UNFPA’s mission to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Provide input to the development of gender strategies and action plans at the country level, ensuring alignment with national policies, UNFPA’s strategic plan, and international frameworks such as CEDAW and the SDGs.
• Assist in managing budgets for gender programmes, ensuring the effective and efficient use of financial resources.
• Assist in creating content for publications, websites, and social media to promote gender issues and UNFPA’s work in this area.
• Share meeting invitations, take notes and finalize meeting minutes, and support in the presentations.

D. General Support 

• Stand-in for other team members on selected functions as may be required.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Completed secondary level/ high school education is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Gender, Women empowerment or related field, project/programme management, public health, or relevant social science discipline is desired.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 6 years of relevant experience in programmes management or related fields is desirable
• Experience in Gender and Youth project/programme management in private, CBO/NGO, national and/or international organizations
• Previous experience in the UN system is an advantage
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Computer literacy – Word, Excel, Power-point, etc.
• Good knowledge of ERP systems
• Good writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

Languages: 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another UN Official Language, an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Programmes/Projects Management and Support
• Understanding of Adolescents & Youth empowerment, Youth Mainstreaming, Demographic Dividend Issues
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Managing information and workflow
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking
• Managing operational processes
• Job knowledge / technical expertise
• Proficiency in current office software applications; good basic knowledge of Project Management dashboard and software.

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.