Policy Specialist Ending Violence Against Women
Organizational Context
UN Women's West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) in Dakar, Senegal, supports mandate implementation for country offices. The office focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment, analyzing regional trends, coordinating activities, and managing knowledge to inform policy and advocacy. The Ending Violence against Women Policy Specialist provides high-level technical advice and support to regional and country offices.
Job Purpose
The Ending Violence against Women Policy Specialist oversees and provides high-level technical advice and support to UN Women country and regional offices on Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) programming. This role involves capacity building for Country Offices (CO), establishing and strengthening partnerships, and facilitating internal coordination to ensure program delivery and policy implementation. The specialist will also coordinate UN Women WCARO's engagement in initiatives like Spotlight and link EVAW work with broader UN reform efforts. The position includes supervising the EVAW unit staff.
Responsibilities
The role involves managing the development and implementation of integrated strategies for technical assistance, policy advocacy, and program support for Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) within the region. This includes overseeing the development of regional program documents and ensuring their contextualization and proper monitoring. The specialist will lead capacity-building initiatives for Country Office teams and partners, providing technical policy advice. Key responsibilities also include establishing and strengthening strategic partnerships with stakeholders, donors, and international actors, producing regular updates, and managing the EVAW resource mobilization strategy. Furthermore, the role entails leading the design of EVAW initiatives, developing knowledge products, and managing knowledge building and sharing within the organization. The incumbent supervises a team of four personnel.
Work Experience
Requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing EVAW programs and advocacy, preferably in developing countries. Experience in program and policy analysis, strategic planning, and building partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society is essential. Experience with the UN system and in West and Central Africa is desirable.
Skills
Excellent knowledge of Ending Violence against Women, strong regional knowledge, excellent networking skills, ability to interact with donors, analyze trends and opportunities, perform policy research, advocate and provide policy advice, excellent analytical skills, ability to write policy papers, and excellent knowledge of program development, implementation, and results-based management.