Job Title: Programme Specialist, Gender and Human Rights (NOC)

Duty Station: Accra, Ghana
Employment Type: Full-Time (National Officer Category – NOC)
Application Deadline: 13 February 2026

Organizational Context / Company Profile

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN agency dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works with governments, civil society, and development partners to advance gender equality, protect human rights, and improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

In Ghana, UNFPA is implementing its 8th Country Programme (2023–2027), which aligns with national, regional, and global priorities, including the UNFPA Strategic Plan (2022–2025), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2022–2025), the ICPD Programme of Action, ICPD+25 commitments, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme contributes to Ghana’s national development agenda and the vision of “Ghana Beyond Aid.”

The Position

The Programme Specialist, Gender and Human Rights leads the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UNFPA Ghana’s gender equality and human rights programmes. The role oversees joint programming initiatives and contributes to national development frameworks, ensuring the integration of gender, human rights, and inclusion across UNFPA interventions.

The Programme Specialist leads the Gender and Human Rights programme team and works closely with operations and administrative colleagues in the Country Office. The position reports directly to the Deputy Representative.

Job Purpose

The Programme Specialist provides strategic leadership and technical expertise to advance gender equality, eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices, and strengthen the integration of human rights across policies and programmes. The role ensures UNFPA’s interventions are impactful, evidence-based, aligned with national priorities, and responsive to the needs of women, girls, and marginalized populations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of gender and human rights programmes and projects.

• Provide technical leadership on gender equality, gender-based violence, harmful practices, and women’s rights programming.

• Coordinate joint programming initiatives and contribute to national development and policy frameworks.

• Manage and supervise programme staff, consultants, and technical experts, ensuring high performance and accountability.

• Strengthen partnerships and coordination with government institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations, NGOs, development partners, private sector actors, and community-based organizations.

• Support advocacy, policy dialogue, and capacity-building initiatives related to gender equality and human rights.

• Ensure effective integration of gender and human rights considerations across UNFPA programmes and interventions.

• Represent UNFPA in relevant technical working groups, coordination platforms, and stakeholder engagements.

• Contribute to reporting, knowledge management, and strategic planning processes using UNFPA systems and tools.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Human Rights, Law, Public Policy, Development Studies, or a related discipline.

Knowledge & Professional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience at advisory or managerial level in managing gender and/or human rights programmes.

• Demonstrated technical expertise in gender equality, including gender-based violence and harmful practices.

• Strong understanding of women’s rights and gender equality in policy and programme formulation, implementation, and monitoring.

• Proven experience managing and coordinating teams, experts, and consultants.

• Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, development partners, and community-based organizations.

• Strong networking skills within the development and humanitarian sectors.

• Ability to communicate complex and technical issues clearly to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated political acumen, negotiation skills, and intercultural communication abilities.

• Experience working independently and effectively in culturally diverse and multidisciplinary teams.

• Field experience and prior experience within the UN system are strong assets.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience using ERP and web-based management systems such as Quantum, Quantum Plus, and PowerBI is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application by 13 February 2026.