Programme Support Consultant, Home-Based, International Consultant (Re-Opening) job at UN Women

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.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. The consultant will be reporting to Title, and will be supported by Title, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has five key programme priorities: (1) Integrated Programming and Localization, (2) Women’s movement building through core grant making; 3) Policy and Research; 4) Economic Resilience and Private Sector and 5) Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. UN Women Afghanistan operates through its main office in Kabul and five sub-offices located in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.

The Women’s Civil Society programme responds to this urgent situation. It aims to safeguard and strengthen Afghan women’s organizations as essential actors for the protection of women’s rights, gender equality and access to livelihoods. The project is fully aligned with the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (2023–2027) and the UN Women Afghanistan Strategic Note (2023–2027), contributing to the joint priorities on Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods and Social Cohesion, Inclusion, Gender Equality, Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the WCSO Programme Manager, the Programme Support Consultant will provide operational support and guidance ensuring compliance, effectiveness, transparency, and integrity. The consultant works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and sub-office teams in the Regional Office and UN Women Afghanistan Office on daily operations functions.

“Please note that this is a re-opening of a previously advertised position. Candidates who have already applied will still be considered and do not need to reapply”

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

The consultant will work under supervision of the WCSO Programme Manager of UN Women Afghanistan to ensure delivery of following tasks.

Coordinate Operational Support for the overall WCSO Programme

• Support oversight of annual budget for the programme including tracking expenditures and reconciliation of budget lines with actual expenditures.
• Implement and oversee the project/award creation, budget set up and mapping between Quantum and RMS activities.
• Run report data in Quantum and implement revisions as needed with ACO Finance support.
• Provide substantive inputs to the management of programme financial resources while exercising proper financial controls.
• Provide input and administrative assistance on all major funding initiatives and problem-solving challenges to achieve the goals of the WCSO Project, including targeted financial results (delivery rates)
• Maintain and update financial trackers for the overall programme and provide a monthly snapshot to the Programme Manager.
• Develop and present financial, budgetary operational status reports to stakeholders.
• Support preparation for internal and external audits as needed.

Operational Support for Financial Management of WCSO Partners

• Support the processing and tracking of WCSO partners installments in compliance with UN Women Financial Rules and Regulations, ensuring timely disbursement of funds.
• Support in maintaining and updating financial trackers for partners installments and expenditure monitoring.
• Participate in the financial verification of final reports of WCSO partners and assist in closing grants, including reconciliation of expenditure and final balances.
• Assist in the coordination of financial data across WCSO partner agreements to support reporting requirements
• Review and verify accuracy and relevancy of the grantee utilization plans, supporting documents, and other financial reports;

Mentorship to WCSO Programme Unit on Operations.

• Train staff and mentor them on financial management and operational support regarding partner management.
• Provide any other support as requested by the supervisor.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This consultancy is home-based assignment which will start from 1 February – 31 July 2026. The consultant will provide remote support to the WCSO Programme Unit as stipulated in the Scope of Work. The consultant may be requested to travel to UN Women Afghanistan or other location for official trainings/missions. Travel Authorization and arrangement will be managed by UN Women Afghanistan Country Office in compliant with The Duty Travel Policy

• Support oversight of annual budget for the programme including tracking expenditures and reconciliation of budget lines with actual expenditures.
• Implement and oversee the project/award creation, budget set up and mapping between Quantum and RMS activities.
• Run report data in Quantum and implement revisions as needed with ACO Finance support.
• Provide substantive inputs to the management of programme financial resources while exercising proper financial controls.
• Provide input and administrative assistance on all major funding initiatives and problem-solving challenges to achieve the goals of the WCSO Project, including targeted financial results (delivery rates)
• Maintain and update financial trackers for the overall programme and provide a monthly snapshot to the Programme Manager.
• Develop and present financial, budgetary operational status reports to stakeholders.
• Support preparation for internal and external audits as needed.
• Support the processing and tracking of WCSO partners installments in compliance with UN Women Financial Rules and Regulations, ensuring timely disbursement of funds.
• Support in maintaining and updating financial trackers for partners installments and expenditure monitoring.
• Participate in the financial verification of final reports of WCSO partners and assist in closing grants, including reconciliation of expenditure and final balances.
• Assist in the coordination of financial data across WCSO partner agreements to support reporting requirements
• Review and verify accuracy and relevancy of the grantee utilization plans, supporting documents, and other financial reports;
• Train staff and mentor them on financial management and operational support regarding partner management.
• Provide any other support as requested by the supervisor.

• Master's Degree - 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 4 year(s) experience
• Fluency in English is required
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset