About the Organization
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the organization works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, ensuring that women and men participate as equal partners and beneficiaries in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security. By placing women’s rights at the center of its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates the UN system’s work to ensure that commitments to gender equality translate into tangible actions worldwide.
In Ethiopia, the UN Women Country Office is implementing a Five-year Strategic Note for 2026-2030 that addresses the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus. The office focuses on empowering women and young people to enjoy equitable opportunities and ensuring they benefit from inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic development. A key coordination priority is placing “Gender In Humanitarian Action” (GiHA) at the center of the Humanitarian Programming Cycle, promoting the leadership of women’s organizations in decision-making and planning.
The organization prides itself on a culture of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. UN Women seeks to build effective partnerships with civil society, government agencies, and the private sector to amplify the voices of those most affected by crisis. The work is driven by the goal of realizing the full potential of all women and girls in Ethiopia, particularly those traditionally left behind.
Professional growth at UN Women is facilitated through exposure to complex multi-sectoral environments and high-level inter-agency coordination. Staff members are encouraged to innovate and lead in their areas of expertise, contributing to global and national policy shifts. The organization provides a platform for specialists to influence the humanitarian system’s commitment to upholding the dignity of women and girls in crisis settings.
UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourages women and underrepresented groups to apply. The entity maintains a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with UN values, including sexual exploitation and harassment, ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for all personnel.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The Gender In Humanitarian Action (GiHA) Specialist holds a vital role in ensuring that the Ethiopia Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) effectively responds to the specific needs of women and girls. By providing regular gender-focused technical assistance and leading coordination mandates, the incumbent ensures that humanitarian interventions are not gender-blind but are instead inclusive and responsive. This role is essential for integrating humanitarian action across all thematic pillars of the UN Women Ethiopia Strategic Note.
In a “day-in-the-life” context, the Specialist leads the GiHA Working Group alongside OCHA and represents UN Women in high-level forums such as the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG). This work involves constant collaboration with local women-led organizations to ensure their meaningful participation in humanitarian planning. Through these actions, the Specialist acts as a strategic bridge between international standards and localized humanitarian response.
The career development opportunities for this role are significant, as it involves providing leadership to the Women Peace Security and Humanitarian Action (WPSHA) team. The incumbent will mentor personnel, supervise team members, and influence resource mobilization strategies that bridge the gap between humanitarian aid and long-term peacebuilding. Success in this role directly translates to improved accountability for affected populations and stronger protection mechanisms.
Strategic impact is achieved through the development of data-driven knowledge products, such as policy briefs and gender analyses, that inform the national Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP). By producing sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data (SADDD), the Specialist ensures that the most vulnerable populations are visible in sectoral planning. This evidence-based approach drives systemic changes in how aid is distributed and managed.
Ultimately, this position is a driving force behind UN Women’s operational mandate in emergency response. It empowers the incumbent to scale up life-saving commodities and services while building resilience against future shocks. By ensuring that gender financing is prioritized within humanitarian funding mechanisms, the Specialist secures a sustainable future for gender-responsive programming in Ethiopia.
Job Positions and Requirements
Gender In Humanitarian Action Specialist (NPSA-10)
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent in gender, international relations, international development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, or other social science fields. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience: At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in project design, implementation, and monitoring. Technical experience in Women Peace and Security in conflict/post-conflict settings and the WPS-Humanitarian nexus is required.
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Salary: Per Scale (NPSA-10).
No. Required: 1.
Employment Type and Compensation
This position is offered under a National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) as a full-time role. The initial contract duration is eight months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. This category of employment is designed for high-level technical specialists who contribute to the strategic objectives of the UN Women country office.
Compensation is growth-oriented and competitive, following the established UN salary scales for national personnel in Ethiopia. Beyond the base salary, personnel benefit from working within a values-based organization that prioritizes work-life balance and professional integrity. UN Women provides a collaborative environment where technical expertise is recognized as a primary driver of organizational success.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should navigate to the official UN Women or UNDP jobs portal to submit their application. The application process requires the completion of a detailed online form covering education and employment history. It is vital that all sections are filled out completely, as incomplete forms may lead to disqualification from the selection process.
Please note that scanned certificates or physical attachments are NOT required during the initial application phase. Applicants should focus on accurately representing their qualifications and experience within the text fields of the application form. Documentation of academic credentials and employment history will be verified during the background check phase for selected candidates only.
Original documents and academic certificates will be required for physical verification during the interview or final selection stage. UN Women conducts rigorous reference checks to ensure all personnel adhere to the standards of conduct expected of United Nations staff. Candidates should be prepared to provide additional information for background checks if requested.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment, which may include written tests and competency-based interviews. Due to the high volume of applications, the organization is unable to provide individual status updates to all applicants. The recruitment timeline typically involves a review period followed by contact within a few weeks of the deadline.
The primary channel for application is the online portal provided in the job identification link. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process due to a disability, please include this information in your application.
Application Deadline
May 20, 2026