Senior Programme Manager [Women in Counter-Terrorism and Security Expert] – Retainer

Position description

UNOCT was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandate across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

In April 2022, UNOCT and the European Union launched the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility (the Facility), with the overall objective to provide rapid and flexible support to Member States in building their capacities to detect, prevent, counter, investigate and respond to evolving terrorist threat, while ensuring respect for international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law and refugee law as well as the rule of law. The Facility delivers three types of activities: a) advisory and mentoring support through the deployment of experts, in a number of thematic areas determined by Member States’ requests; b) training activities or workshops; and c) limited provision of light, non-lethal equipment. It operates according to the following principles: 1) it is demand-driven, based on official requests from a Member State; and 2) it is complementary to other UN and EU support. Support delivered by the Facility takes in consideration the recommendations from the assessment visits conducted by the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee, through its Executive Directorate (CTED).

Since 1 January 2022, UNOCT has a functioning Human Rights and Gender Section (HRGS), with the purpose of providing technical assistance, oversight and quality assurance across the Office’s policy, coordination and programmatic functions. UNOCT work on gender is guided by the Gender Mainstreaming Policy and Action Plan (approved in January 2022).

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding – including in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

By leveraging our ollective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners – including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies – to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

Our thematic focus spans climate action and energy, health, peace and security, sustainable development, and humanitarian action, supporting high-impact initiatives across critical global priorities.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

About the Group

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

Job Specific Context

To support the Facility, UNOPS has established a roster of specialists (the Roster), members of which deliver assistance across the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, depending on the specific need and context of the requesting Member States or regional organizations. Duration of the assignment depends on the tasks and deliverables assigned.

This position at UNOPS is designed to support the activities of the Facility. The candidate selected for this role will become UNOPS personnel under its full responsibility. The incumbent will work closely with other experts from the Roster for the duration of his contract and will undertake short-term assignments, with possible field deployments, depending on the needs of the Facility or of the requesting Member States.

Role Purpose

Support the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility by providing strategic and technical guidance to requesting Member States on strengthening the full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation and representation of women in operational and policy roles in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism (CT/PCVE).

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the supervision of the Director of GPO, and working closely with the Senior Programme Management Officer of the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility in UNOCT and the Gender Unit in the Human Rights and Gender Section of UNOCT, the Women in Counter-terrorism Expert will be expected to perform various activities including:

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to requesting Member States on strengthening the full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation and representation of women in operational and policy roles in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism (CT/PCVE) within government, including, intelligence, law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary, and CT/PCVE policy and coordination bodies;
• Provide expert advice to requesting Member States on the development and conduct of context-specific analysis of the barriers preventing the full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation and representation of women in operational and policy CT/PCVE roles withing government, and in formulating context-relevant measures to remove or mitigate these barriers;
• Deliver capacity-building activities to strengthen the full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation and representation of women in operational and policy CT/PCVE roles withing government, such as revisions of human resource management policies and procedures, to address identified barriers and enable equitable access for women;
• Provide high level advisory and mentoring services to governmental officials from requesting Member States to strengthen advance the full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation and representation of women in operational and policy CT/PCVE roles within government;
• Prepare a variety of high-quality, written substantive outputs, including analyses, presentations, training materials, summary reports, related to their assignments.

Qualifications

Required

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent), preferably in Security, International Law, International Relations, Public Administration, or another relevant field with ten (10) years of relevant experience is required; Or
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with twelve (12) years of relevant experience is required.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience within government in the field of CT/PCVE, public safety or national security;
• Within these 10 years, at least five (5) years of experience related to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the context of CT/PCVE is required;
• Experience as a mid to senior level leader within intelligence, law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary, or public safety and national security policy and coordination bodies is required;
• Demonstrated, practical experience in strengthening the representation and participation of women within intelligence, law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary, or public safety and national security policy and coordination bodies is required.

Desired

• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering capacity building activities related to strengthen the representation and participation of women in government CT/PCVE roles, designing and providing technical assistance to a range of audiences in this field, including to senior government officials, would be an asset;
• Experience working in diverse country contexts would be an asset.

Application instructions

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