Job title: Programme Assistant in Gender and Human Rights
Company: United Nations
Job description: Details:Mission and objectives:UNDP is the United Nations largest agency with a mandate to eradicate poverty, through sustainable and inclusive human development. UNDP has been in Nigeria since the country became independent in 1960 providing capacity building and policy development support to the Federal Government of Nigeria in areas of Governance & Peace Building, Inclusive growth, and Sustainable Development.
UNDP continues to support the government in the implementation of development interventions aimed at meeting medium to long term goals enshrined in National and Subnational development plans as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. The goal of UNDP is to improve the lives of the people of Nigeria, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and to ensure a future that offers equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. UNDP works in partnership with the federal Government of Nigeria, development partners, UN agencies, civil society and local communities to help identify local solutions to meet global and national development challenges through a range of interventions that combine UNDP’s expertise and comparative advantage in the areas of Governance & Peace Building, Inclusive growth and Sustainable Development.Context:The UNDP Gender and Human Rights Unit is configured to respond to Nigeria’s challenges in the area of gender equality and women empowerment. The commitment of the Nigerian government to address these issues is affirmed in the Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda of the Government. These priorities are being addressed in the 7th Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and UNDP (2009-2013). They have also been confirmed by the Common Country Assessment for Nigeria within the current United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The policy thrust includes improving governance, security, law and order; consolidating the democratic process; engendering more efficient and effective use of resources; addressing the root causes of corruption and strengthening accountability and transparency in governance. This UNV assignment is part of the UNDP Nigeria Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls. The Initiative is focused on promoting the empowerment of women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence. The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to the issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Task description:Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, Gender and Human Rights, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
i. Support the Gender and Human Rights programming unit with the implementation of the project’s activities in accordance with the annual work plan and towards achieving the project outputs and outcomes.
ii. Assist with regular follow up with national experts and consultants and civil society groups or think tanks involved in the implementation of project activities, including revision of their deliverables and results.
iii. Participate in providing support to UNDP implementing partners/responsible parties,
carrying specific activities within the project.
iv. Give inputs to quarterly progress reports and contribute to the drafting of annual and bi-annual project reports.
v. Support the Project team to prepare and organize workshops, training and meetings with partners and key stakeholders.
vi. Assist in the documentation and reporting on programme activities, writing meeting minutes, mission and training reports
vii. Support research to inform preparation of talking points, concept notes and other documentation viii. Support the development of news stories and briefs for the website and newsletters, and the production of advocacy materials
viii. Assist the UNDP Country Office (CO) in developing a Gender Equality Strategy, and provide support to mainstream gender in projects across all units in the CO. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.Requirements:Demonstrated interest and/or experience in Human Rights, Gender, and Development, including project management in development.Competencies and values:☒ Adaptability and Flexibility
☒ Building Trust
☒ Client Orientation
☒ Commitment and Motivation
☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning
☒ Communication
☒ CreativityArea(s) of expertise:
- Development programmes
- Community development
- Social work
Required education level:Bachelor degree or equivalentOther information: Visa process: Volunteers are responsible for applying for an STR visa in their country with supporting documentation from the recruiting UN Agency and the visa is regularised upon arrival of the volunteer at the duty station. The process lasts between a few weeks to three months.The assignment will take place in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which is the capital city of Nigeria. Abuja is classified as a C duty station, reflecting moderate living conditions with essential amenities available. As the political and administrative center of Nigeria, Abuja is home to government institutions, embassies, and international organizations. The city is well-planned, featuring good road networks, modern infrastructure, and relatively stable electricity and water supply compared to other parts of the country. Abuja offers various housing options, ranging from apartments to houses, and residents have access to a variety of supermarkets, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Nigeria, with a population of approximately 184 million people, is the most populous country in Africa, accounting for 47% of West Africa’s population. It is home to one of the largest youth populations globally. Nigeria is a political federation consisting of 36 autonomous states and a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society. With its abundance of natural resources, Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil exporter and holds the continent’s largest natural gas reserves. The country is inhabited by over 500 ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba—the three largest groups—and over 500 languages are spoken. English is the official language.
Despite its resources, Nigeria faces significant challenges, including terrorist threats in the northeast, inter-communal violence across the middle belt, and insurgency in the Delta region. Underlying these security issues are high levels of poverty, unemployment, a growing population of frustrated youth, and environmental challenges such as the degradation of natural resources and climate stressors. In Abuja, the primary security concern is terrorism, along with general crime. UN staff are advised to reside only in assessed hotels, the list of which is available through Agency Security Focal Points.The currency used in Nigeria is the Nigerian Naira (currency code NGN, symbol ₦). As this is an international UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials.
Expected salary:
Location: Abuja, FCT
Job date: Sun, 15 Jun 2025 04:15:07 GMT
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