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.

Job Description
Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates UN system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action worldwide. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

In Bolivia, the Country Office (CO) focuses on key strategic priorities, including combating gender‑based violence, enhancing women's economic empowerment, and increasing women's participation in leadership and decision‑making processes. These priorities align with the national policies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. The CO works collaboratively with governmental and non‑governmental organizations to implement programmes that have a tangible impact on the lives of women and girls.

UN Women in Bolivia is working to empower indigenous and rural women by promoting their political leadership, economic autonomy, and the prevention of violence.

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 Representative’s contributions as a UNCT member.

The Country Representative is responsible for leading and managing the Bolivia 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 Bolivia 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 Accountability

Manage the strategic country programme planning and development in Bolivia

Develop and implement strategic direction of the country

Lead the design, planning, formulation, preparation and development of the Country Strategic Note in close consultation and collaboration with the government, civil society, donors, UN system partners and the Regional Director, Resident and/or Humanitarian 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

Provide substantive advice to the Executive Director, Regional Director and Senior Management on the regional strategy, direction and planning of programmes and projects

Develop a comprehensive agenda to strengthen the rights of indigenous women, focusing on their political autonomy, economic empowerment, and access to justice through a culturally relevant approach

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

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 partnerships

Manage the Bolivia 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

Ensure that personnel are familiar with and follow UN Women’s regulations and rules, policies and procedures in the Policy, Procedures and Guidance Framework (PPG); ensure personnel are aware in particular of UN Women’s 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

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 Team

Serve as member of the UN Country Team (UNCT) 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 women’s 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 an 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 women’s 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 Women’s active participation in UN system thematic and other working groups 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

Ensure enhanced accountability of the UNCT on gender mainstreaming and works for with the RC and on the implement the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard

Participate in RC and UNCT members’ performance appraisal, as requested

Represent UN Women and lead advocacy strategies

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 women’s 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 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 Women’s 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 requirements

Ensure all personnel are made fully aware of safety and security procedures and policies and undertake mandatory training

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

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

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 them

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 mechanisms

Recruitment qualifications
Education and Certifications

An advanced university degree (Master's 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 PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage

Experience

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 women's 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

Languages

Fluency in English and Spanish is required

Working knowledge of French or Portuguese is an asset

Knowledge of another UN language (Russian, Chinese, Arabic) is an asset

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, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

Zero‑tolerance policy
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 to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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.)

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📌 UN Women- Country Representative,La Paz, Bolivia,FTA (Madrid)
🏢 Talent
📍 Madrid