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.ย
In Liberia, UN Women contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) (2026โ2030), which aligns with the Governmentโs ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and is organized around three outcomes: human capital development, governance, and inclusive economic growth and climate action. Sixteen UN agencies, including four non-resident agencies, support this collective effort. UN Women Liberiaโs new Strategic Note (SN) (2026โ2030) sets out its contribution to all three outcomes, focusing on strengthened gender-responsive laws and policies, accountable and inclusive institutions, and empowered women and girls across four impact areas: womenโs leadership and decision-making; womenโs economic empowerment; women and girls free from violence; and women, peace and security.
Building on its normative and coordination mandates, UN Women supports national institutions to apply global gender equality standards and translate these commitments into laws, policies, and institutional practices. It strengthens the UN systemโs performance on gender equality through UNCT-SWAP requirements, enhances gender analysis across joint planning processes, and ensures gender-responsive indicators, targets, and financial tracking are integrated throughout the UNSDCF. UN Women also works with national institutions and womenโs rights organizations to reinforce gender coordination mechanisms, promote coherent action on GEWE, and improve monitoring of national and international normative commitments. Through this role, UN Women helps ensure that gender equality priorities are fully reflected in national planning, policy development, and UN joint programming, and that womenโs rights organizations have stronger influence in decision-making spaces
The Country Representative operates in a matrix management model, primarily accountable and reporting to the relevant UN Women Regional Director on UN Women-specific mandates, activities and results. Additionally, as a UNCT member, under the Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) of the UN development and resident coordinator system, the Country Representative has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator for periodically reporting on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, formerly UNDAF).The Regional Director conducts the performance review of the Country Representative whilst seeking inputs from the RC on the Country Representativeโs contributions as a UNCT member.
The Country Representative is responsible for leading and managing the Liberia Country Office (CO) portfolio and for translating the UN Women's Strategic Plan (SP) in line with regional and national priorities, into development initiatives and results by developing, implementing and managing programmes and projects under the Liberia CO; and developing effective partnerships with Government counterparts, UN system agencies and organizations, civil society organizations, and with bilateral and non-traditional donors in order to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN reform, and mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.
Key Functions and Accountabilities :ย
Manage the strategic country programme planning and development
Develop and implement strategic direction of the country; Lead the implementation of the new Country Strategic Note (2026-2030) in close consultation and collaborationย with the government, civil society, donors, UN system partners and the Regional Director, Resident Coordinator in the country and other national development stakeholders and partners, taking into account national priorities , the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF;ย Provide substantive advice to the Executive Director, Regional Director and Senior Management on the regional strategy, direction and planning of programmes and projects;ย Manage and ensure the quality of results-based and rights-based programming for the CO; Finalize the annual work plan and budget; Lead the monitoring of the results-based management approach to programme planning and design. Define and assert accountability for UN Womenโ results and its ability to operate as a nimble, innovative and enterprising thought leader, programme and business partner capable of taking and managing risks.Lead Enterprise Risk Management and Organizational Resilience
Establish and maintain the CO's risk management framework in alignment with UN Women's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) policy and institutional risk appetite Lead regular risk assessments covering programmatic, operational, financial, reputational, fraud, safeguarding, and security risks; ensure risks are identified, assessed, monitored and mitigated Chair or designate the Country Office Risk Focal Point; ensure risk register is regularly updated and escalated to Regional Office as appropriate Integrate risk considerations into strategic planning, programme design, partner due diligence, and resource allocation decisions Ensure implementation of internal control frameworks and compliance with UN Women's policies on fraud prevention, anti-corruption, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) Oversee business continuity planning and organizational resilience measures to ensure programme continuity during crises or disruptions Monitor external risk factors (political, economic, social, environmental) that may impact programme delivery and organizational operations; develop mitigation strategies Ensure adequate risk transfer mechanisms (insurance, contractual protections) are in place for major programmes and partnershipsManage the Liberia Country Office
Lead the office in the delivery of operational goals; Finalize the annual work plan and budget; and oversee the implementation, including providing direction, guidance and technical support; Establish internal control environment and tone-at-the-top for risk awareness and compliance culture Review and approve high-risk transactions, partnerships, and programmatic decisions Oversee and approve programme work plans and monitor the overall progress and compliance of the CO; Manage the preparation of UN Women mandated country reports; Manage the audit review process including timely response to audit reports; oversee implementation of audit recommendations and corrective action plans; ensure systematic tracking and closure of audit findings; proactively address recurring or systemic control weaknesses Provide managerial direction, guidance and leadership. Ensure effective workforce planning and timely recruitments; Manage the performance of personnel under their supervision; provide ongoing performance and career development feedback, timely completion of performance assessments and coaching;ย Ensure that personnel are familiar with and follow UN Womenโs regulations and rules, policies and procedures in the Policy, Procedures and Guidance Framework (PPG); Ensure personnel are aware in particular or of UN Womenโs standards of conduct including but not limited to policies and procedures on preventing, reporting and addressing misconduct, Fraud and Corruption, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and abuse of authority, Protection from retaliation, and ensure mechanisms are in place to support personnel in this regard.ย Promote teamwork to ensure harmonization, linkages, collaboration and synergy; Ensure a respectful, inclusive safe and healthy work environment for personnel.Provide support to the Resident Coordination and serve as a member of UN Country Teamย
Serve as member of the UN Country Team (UNCT)ย under the strategic guidance and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC)/Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), collaborate on and lead as needed UNCT programming and advocacy to ensure gender equality and womenโs empowerment issues are fully integrated into UN programming processes, including the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) planning, budgeting, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through UN results groups and respective joint workplans, and in anย enhanced response to national partners; Partner with RC and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, collaboration, planning, cooperation, and harmonization of programming, advocacy, common services, and operations; Facilitate joint programming and promote UN competencies to advance gender equality and womenโs human rights; report to the UN RC on these issues as required Actively engage in regular UNCT consultations and decision-making processes Actively engage in and contribute to UNCT strategic communications that advance UN system efforts and collective results to promote Agenda 2030, including for national goals and priorities for sustainable development to generate positive public support and ownership Ensure UN Womenโs active participation in UN system thematic and other working groups, includingย the Gender Thematic Group, to establish effective networks and keep abreast of ongoing debates and thinking on development Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF development planning and agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.ย Ensure enhanced accountability of the UNCT on gender mainstreaming and works for with the RC andย on the implement the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Participate in RC and UNCT membersโ performance appraisal, as requestedย Represent UN Women and lead advocacy strategiesย
Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums, public information/relations events and key meetings, participate in policy dialogue; discuss policy initiatives, report on progress achieved and/or present policy papers/ideas; Build relations and partnerships with high level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies and NGOs; and participate in regional, country and other critical meetings and events; Lead and support advocacy for gender equality and womenโs empowerment to ensure UN support towards realization of the national plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality.Create and maintain strategic partnerships and manage resource mobilization strategies
Lead the development of resource mobilization strategies and manage the implementation of resource mobilization strategies, plans, and efforts; Conduct due diligence on potential partners to assess reputational, financial, and operational risks prior to engagement Establish and maintain relationships with government, partners, stakeholders, private sector and donors to achieve active collaboration, cooperation and alliances on programme development and implementation and resource mobilization; Finalize donor reports, and negotiate and/or approve cost-sharing agreements with donors; Establish reporting accountability framework to ensure that donors are duly informed on a timely basis.Lead knowledge management, innovation and capacity building
Manage the development and implementation on the CO communication plans, based on UN Womenโs communication strategy; Promote critical thinking and implementation of innovation and best practices in the CO Promote learning and development by providing opportunities for training and capacity guiding to enhance the competencies/productivity of personnel; Lead the production of knowledge products.Oversee safety, security and well-being of personnel, programmes and organizational assets
Maintain and update CO security strategy, plan, and measures to ensure full compliance with UN security policies, procedures and requirements. Serve as member of the Security Management team (SMT) and undertake relevant security and crisis management training. Guide and influence decisions and standards related to security of personnel, premises and assets Oversee the implementation of the Security Mainstreaming & Compliance and Business Continuity Management and Organizational Resilience requirementsย Ensure all personnel are made fully aware of safety and security procedures and policies and undertake mandatory trainingThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads a team of 36, which includes 10 direct reports ย (4 IP staff, 2 GS staff, 1 NO staff as well as 3 affiliate personnel (PSA and consultants)).ย
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
Functional Competencies:
Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills Excellent people management skills in a multicultural environment; ability to deal with individuals from all backgrounds Results-oriented; Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on themย Ability to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all Leading, developing and empowering people Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and interact with high level decision makers Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment in country Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking Strong knowledge of UN system Ability to envision and lead the strategic direction for UN Women in the country Excellent networking skills Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies Excellent diplomatic and written and verbal communication skills Strong risk assessment and mitigation skills; ability to balance risk-taking for innovation with prudent safeguards Knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks and internal control systems Ability to make sound judgments on risk tolerance in complex, ambiguous environments Understanding of fraud indicators and prevention mechanismsRecruitment Qualifications
Education and certification:ย
Master's degree or equivalent in development related disciplines, economics or public policy or other social science fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A project/programme management certification (such as PMPยฎ, PRINCE2ยฎ, or MSPยฎ) would be an added advantage.Experience:ย
At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level is required. Experience in gender and womenโs issues programming, at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes or UN Mission is required. Field based experience working with multi-cultural teams is required. Experience leading and coaching staff in international settings is required. Experience implementing risk management frameworks, internal controls, or enterprise risk management systems in international development or UN context is required. Demonstrated experience managing organizational risks including programmatic, financial, reputational, and safeguarding risks is required. Experience responding to audit findings and implementing control improvements is desirable. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).Statements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.
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