UNFPA Opens Recruitment for Programme Specialist Role in Addis Ababa to Strengthen Africa’s Response to Violence Against Women and Girls

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced a new vacancy for a Programme Specialist (P-3 level) under the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) 2.0, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The position is a fixed-term, full-time role with a one-year contract (renewable) and is open for applications until 14 July 2026.

This strategic role is embedded within the African Union Commission (AUC) and focuses on accelerating efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG), harmful practices, and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across the African continent.

About the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP 2.0)

The Spotlight Initiative is a major global partnership launched in 2017 with over $500 million in European Union funding, making it one of the largest coordinated efforts to end violence against women and girls worldwide.

The SIARP 2.0 phase builds on earlier achievements (SIARP 1.0) and brings together:

African Union Commission (AUC)
United Nations agencies (UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women)
Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
Civil society organizations
European Union partners

The programme focuses on systemic, long-term transformation through legal reform, prevention, survivor services, and institutional strengthening across Africa.

Key Programme Focus Areas

SIARP 2.0 is structured around four core outcomes:

Strengthening legal and policy frameworks to eliminate VAWG and harmful practices
Promoting prevention strategies and shifting discriminatory gender norms
Expanding access to survivor-centered, multi-sectoral support services
Strengthening women’s rights organizations and youth-led advocacy networks

The initiative also emphasizes data systems, accountability mechanisms, and regional policy harmonization aligned with international human rights standards.

Role Overview: Programme Specialist (UNFPA – SIARP 2.0)

The Programme Specialist will provide high-level technical and strategic support to the African Union Commission, working closely with UNFPA and regional partners to ensure coordinated implementation of the programme.

This role plays a critical function in aligning regional policy frameworks with global standards on gender equality, human rights, and public health.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Coordination and Policy Alignment

Ensuring coherent implementation of SIARP 2.0 across partners and institutions
Supporting harmonization of regional policies with international frameworks
Coordinating collaboration between UN agencies, AUC, RECs, and civil society
Identifying implementation challenges and developing solutions

Capacity Building and Technical Support

Providing technical assistance to programme partners
Designing training materials and capacity-building workshops
Supporting monitoring frameworks and performance indicators
Strengthening institutional capacity for gender equality programming

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

Strengthening engagement with youth groups, religious leaders, and civil society
Supporting women- and youth-led accountability mechanisms
Coordinating with the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG)
Enhancing collaboration between governments, donors, and regional institutions

Advocacy, Communication, and Knowledge Management

Supporting development of communication strategies and monitoring tools
Contributing to evaluations, reporting systems, and programme documentation
Coordinating knowledge-sharing across partners and regional platforms
Managing advocacy materials and public communications
Supporting digital innovation for data and advocacy efforts

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must hold advanced academic and professional credentials aligned with international development and gender equality programming.

Education

Master’s degree in one of the following or related fields:
- International Development or Relations
- Public Administration or Public Policy
- Gender Studies
- Public Health
- Sociology, Economics, or Demography
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Communication or Statistics

Professional Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in:
- Gender equality programming
- Violence against women and girls (VAWG) prevention
- Multi-stakeholder programme coordination
- Policy advocacy and research
Experience working in Africa or with African institutions is highly desirable
Strong background in UN systems, African Union processes, or donor-funded programmes is an asset

Core Competencies

The role requires strong leadership and analytical capabilities, including:

Strategic thinking and results-based management
Strong communication and negotiation skills
Ability to lead multi-stakeholder partnerships
Programme planning and coordination expertise
Advocacy and policy influence skills
Commitment to human rights and feminist principles
Team leadership and cross-cultural collaboration

Additional attributes include integrity, accountability, adaptability, and commitment to gender equality and inclusion.

Languages

English: Required
French: Desirable

Compensation and Work Environment

The position offers:

Competitive UN salary package (P-3 level)
Health insurance and standard UN benefits
Fixed-term contract with potential extension
Work embedded within a high-level continental policy environment

UNFPA emphasizes an inclusive and equitable workplace, encouraging applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented communities.

Application Deadline and Timeline

Application deadline: 14 July 2026
Contract duration: 1 year (with possibility of extension)
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Vacancy type: Fixed-term, rotational role

Significance of the Role

The Programme Specialist position represents a key leadership opportunity within one of Africa’s most important regional initiatives addressing gender-based violence and harmful practices.

By supporting coordination between the African Union Commission, UN agencies, and civil society partners, the role contributes directly to:

Strengthening regional legal and policy frameworks
Improving survivor-centered service delivery systems
Advancing gender equality and human rights protections
Expanding accountability mechanisms for governments and institutions
Supporting long-term social and institutional transformation

Call to Action

The UNFPA Programme Specialist role under SIARP 2.0 is a high-impact position at the intersection of policy, human rights, and regional development. It offers experienced professionals an opportunity to contribute to continent-wide efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls while strengthening institutional collaboration across Africa’s major governance and development systems.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.