Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Programme Specialist

Organizational Context

UNFPA's mission is to ensure every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The agency promotes gender equality and empowers women, girls, and young people. Working in over 150 countries, UNFPA provides access to sexual and reproductive health services, aiming to end unmet needs for family planning, preventable maternal deaths, and gender-based violence by 2030. This role supports UNFPA Sierra Leone's GBV initiatives.

Job Purpose

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Programme Specialist will support UNFPA Sierra Leone's ongoing work in advocacy, policy formulation, implementation, and accountability related to GBV. The role involves ensuring the effective implementation of the Essential Services Package for women and girls experiencing violence at national and district levels. This includes collaborating with multi-sectoral government institutions and civil society organizations, particularly youth and women's groups. The specialist will also foster strategic partnerships and contribute to funding proposals to advance UNFPA's GBV cooperation in Sierra Leone, aligning with the agency's broader goals of ending unmet needs for family planning, preventable maternal death, and harmful practices.

Responsibilities

The GBV Programme Specialist, reporting to the UNFPA Representative, will provide technical leadership and coordination for GBV prevention and response interventions, ensuring alignment with UNFPA Minimum Standards. This includes supporting multi-sectoral approaches across health, psychosocial, and legal frameworks, and spearheading girls' empowerment programming. The role involves facilitating technical assistance, strategic advocacy, and coordination with UN agencies, government ministries, NGOs, and civil society. The specialist will champion evidence-based advocacy and resource mobilization efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls and harmful practices, developing results frameworks and theories of change. Additionally, the incumbent will assist in conceptualizing and rolling out community-level programs to dismantle negative social norms perpetuating GBV and build the capacity of adolescent girls. Operational adaptability and performance of other assigned duties are also expected.

Work Experience

Requires 3 years of progressively responsible experience in gender equality, gender mainstreaming, human rights, and/or women's empowerment programming, preferably in contexts with strong customary law and patriarchal norms. Experience in development programming focused on gender equality, GBV, or girls' empowerment is essential. Prior experience in developing countries and knowledge of rights-based approaches are assets. Good knowledge of advocacy for gender equality and girls' empowerment is required.

Skills

Core competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Empowering Others, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, and Working in Teams. Technical expertise areas include Gender, Women's Rights, Human Rights, Communication, Advocacy, and Public Information.

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