Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth, Kampala, Uganda, P-4

The Position:

The Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth leads the Gender Equality and Youth Development Unit (GEYD) unit of UNPFA Uganda Country Office while delivering on the mainstreaming of Gender and Youth Development issues across UNFPA Uganda programmes. S/he will  substantively contribute to the UNFPA implementation, coordination and monitoring of programme activities across the country in the areas of GEYD including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), gender and population issues in both humanitarian and development settings. 

The Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth will support UNFPA Uganda in ensuring that women, adolescents, youth and the most marginalized populations are empowered to exercise their full sexual and reproductive rights in a safe and enabling environment free from gender-based violence and harmful practices through gender transformative, intersectional approaches. S/he will contribute to UNFPA Uganda’s new Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2021 to 2025 specifically to advance results on Gender, Gender- Based Violence (GBV), FGM, Ending Child Marriage and Adolescents and Youth in line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework of Uganda (2021 to 2025).   

The incumbent will be based in Kampala. Under the overall guidance of the  Representative, s/he shall work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Deputy Representative and in close coordination with the SRHR team leader, the Integrated Field Support Coordinator and the International Operations Manager.

The Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth will supervise a team of national and international staff, including the ASRH focal Point,, focusing on normative work in gender and youth transformative policy and programming strategies to implement human rights-based, integrated, context-specific, evidence-based, innovative and gender transformative approaches to address harmful social norms, discrimination and other causes of marginalization including for persons with disabilities.

The Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth will ensure close coordination and partnership with other UN entities operating in Uganda, as well as with international and national partners and civil society organizations on issues related to the promotion of gender equality, prevention of GBV and harmful practices (FGM and ECM) and promotion of women, adolescent and youth’s empowerment. He/she will strengthen GBV and youth programming across the humanitarian-development nexus and ensure an integrated approach between sexual and reproductive health and rights and GBV for women and young people

S/he will work under the overall guidance of the Representative and will be directly supervised by the Deputy Representative. 

Job Purpose:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Programme Coordinator Gender and Youth will act as a coordinator for the Gender, GBV and Youth programmes of UNFPA Uganda Country Office with the responsibility to develop and effectively manage programmes and related staff. The incumbent will develop strengthened capacities to formulate and implement multi-sectoral, rights-based policies and interventions that prevent and mitigate the impact of GBV and other harmful practices. The coordinator  will also be responsible for the provision of technical and advisory services to support youth activities in the country office, with special attention to the UN Youth Development flagship programme.

S/he will supervise a team of national and international staff, focusing on normative work in gender and youth transformative policy and programming strategies to implement human rights-based, integrated, context-specific, evidence-based, innovative and gender transformative approaches to address harmful social norms, discrimination and other causes of marginalization including for persons with disabilities.

The Programme Coordinator will ensure close coordination and partnership with other UN entities operating in Uganda, as well as with international and national partners and civil society organizations on issues related to the promotion of gender equality, prevention of GBV and harmful practices (FGM and ECM) and promotion of women, adolescent and youth’s empowerment. He/she will strengthen GBV and youth programming across the humanitarian-development nexus and ensure an integrated approach between sexual and reproductive health and rights and GBV for women and young people. As the focal officer responsible for supporting government and development partners towards realizing Uganda’s demographic dividends, the Programme Coordinator advises on national youth policy issues; mainstreaming youth and gender issues into development programmes; and supporting capacity building initiatives for youth and gender institutions in the country. 

S/he will work to keep development issues of interest to UNFPA high on the agenda of Government/s and of the Development Partners, optimize the allocation of resources, create synergies, influence policies and improve consistency and effectiveness of UNFPA’s work in the country within a framework of integrated delivery of a SRHR/GBV/HIV/YD rights package.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Masters Degree degree in health, population, demography, development, law and/or other related social science field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible relevant professional experience, including experience on design, implementation, monitoring and management of GBV and Youth development programmes. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Gender Equality and GBV Guiding Principles, survivor-centered approach, latest evidence, research, global guidelines and good practices on prevention and response to gender-based violence. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Youth Development Programming including adolescents reproductive health, youth mainstreaming, positive youth development approaches, youth policy development and implementation, and institutional strengthening. 
• Demonstrated experience in leading capacity building initiatives in gender and youth development. 
• Experience in utilizing the following internationals tools: Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming; Essential Services Package for women and girls subject to violence; Inter-Agency GBV Case Management Guidelines; GBV Information Management System; IASC GBV Guidelines; GBV Coordination Handbook; RESPECT Framework for GBV prevention; WHO manual for Health Managers: Strengthening health systems to respond to women subjected to intimate partner violence or sexual violence ; WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching GBV in Emergencies; and the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. 
• Experience in evidence informed policy advocacy for GBV prevention and response and development of national actions plans to address GBV. 
• Experience in effectively leading diversified team of experts and coordinating with government counterparts, international and local NGOs and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes
• Experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes;
• Excellent communication skills and experience with management of staff in multi-locations. 
• A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in Uganda will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated ability to work in and lead a team 

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French is desirable.