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.
About the Programme:
Funded by the European Union the Multi-Country Programme “Challenging Harmful Attitudes and Norms for Gender Equality” (CHANGE) will be jointly delivered by UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women in all five Central Asian countries (hereinafter the Programme). Covering 2026-2028 the Programme reinforces national responses while fostering regional and cross-border cooperation, demonstrating the EU’s critical support for sustainable and inclusive development in a diverse and evolving regional environment.
The Programme is aligned with the EU Gender Equality Action Plan (GAP) III (2021–2027), reflecting the EU’s commitment to advancing gender equality across its external action and accelerating progress toward international and Sustainable Development Goal commitments. Its strong focus on transforming social norms and advancing gender equality further positions the Programme as a direct contributor to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Programme is also aligned with UN Women strategic area of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, as well as with key results and programmatic principles of the UNSDCF 2026-2030 for Kazakhstan.
At the core of the Programme, itwill address gender-based violence (GBV) as a structural and systemic phenomenon, sustained by unequal power relations, discriminatory gender norms and entrenched social inequalities. The Programme will apply a holistic, gender-transformative approach. Through coordinated action across individual, community, institutional and policy levels, it seeks to address root causes, shift harmful norms, and promote durable structural change. This will be done with the purpose of advancing legislative reform, policy dialogue and advocacy, technical assistance in adaptation of most effective measures to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and social norm changes necessary to prevent and respond to SGBV and harmful practices.
The Overall Objective (Impact) of the Programme is to contribute to the reduction of GBV across Central Asia, aligned with SDG 5 and, specifically, Target 5.2 on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. While this long-term goal provides a clear strategic direction, it is important to recognise that reduction in GBV prevalence is influenced by a complex interplay of structural, behavioural, and systemic factors that extend beyond the direct scope and timeframe of the programme.
To achieve this overarching aim, the Programme pursues three interlinked Specific Objectives (Outcomes) that together address the structural, behavioural, and institutional drivers of gender-based violence. These objectives reflect a comprehensive approach rooted in prevention, empowerment, and systems strengthening and are the following:
Social norms increasingly reflect zero tolerance for GBV Civil society organisations more effectively prevent and respond to GBV through strengthened coordination, capacity, and advocacy Women have increased economic empowerment and access to sustainable livelihoodsUNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women will be each responsible for implementing the specific programme’s outputs and activities and delivering the results as per the programme Theory of Change and Results and Resources Framework (RRF). All participating UN agencies will ensure close coordination with other UN Agencies during the implementation of this Programme.
UN Women will lead the Outcome related to Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) to enhance their capacity, coordination and collective voice and enable more effective prevention and response to GBV across the region.
In addition, collaboration with the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence, supported by the Government of Kazakhstan and coordinated by UN Women, will enable the programme to leverage regional expertise and networks. This will strengthen advocacy, knowledge exchange, and the sustainability of GBV prevention and response efforts across Central Asia. UN Women CHANGE Programme team will work closely with the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Knowledge Centre to facilitate knowledge generation, ensure evidence-based programming, thematic learning, and strengthen capacity development of national partners and civil society actors through joint research, policy dialogue, training initiatives and dissemination of good practices across Central Asia.
The Programme Expert will provide substantive technical and operational support to the effective implementation of the CHANGE Programme under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator.
The incumbent will support providing timely and quality technical expertise on eliminating gender based violence and achievement of programme outputs, ensure smooth coordination with UN Women Country Offices in Central Asia, and facilitate collaboration with UNDP, UNFPA, national counterparts, CSOs/WROs, FBOs, academia, private sector and other stakeholders in line with UN Women rules and regulations.
The Project Expert will work closely with the Programme Coordinator as a team member, contributing to programmatic, monitoring, coordination, communication and administrative functions of the programme.
Programme SupportProgramme Expert will:
Provide programmatic support to the Programme Coordinator in the implementation of UN Women’s components of the CHANGE Programme in line with the programme document, annual workplans and budgets. Support implementation of activities related to: Strengthening CSOs and WROs capacity and coordination as stipulated in the Programme Document Contribute to development of technical guidance notes, concept papers, background analyses and briefing materials to support evidence-based programming and policy dialogue. Support quality assurance of programme outputs by reviewing technical deliverables from consultants, implementing partners and vendors to ensure alignment with UN Women standards and donor requirements. Assist the Programme Coordinator in risk identification and mitigation by monitoring implementation challenges at country level and proposing corrective actions. Provide analytical inputs for donor briefings, steering committee meetings, regional coordination meetings and high-level policy dialogues. Support the preparation and consolidation of detailed activity budgets, ensuring alignment between technical outputs and financial allocations. Support coordination across UN Women Country Offices in Central Asia by facilitating regular technical exchanges, consolidating implementation updates and identifying synergies across countries. Assist in ensuring compliance with UN Women and EU requirements, including visibility, documentation, results reporting and audit preparedness. Contribute to preparation of mid-term reviews, evaluations and management responses by compiling documentation, supporting data analysis and drafting technical sections. Provide substantive inputs to advocacy and communication strategies, ensuring that programme messaging reflects evidence, results and regional priorities. Provide support in coordination and management of the full lifecycle of small grants to CSOs and WROs in accordance with UN Women’s Small Grants Policy, including providing inputs in design and launch of calls for proposals, selection and contracting, technical guidance and capacity support to grantees, monitoring and reporting, financial tracking, risk management, and proper grant closure and documentation.2. Monitoring and Reporting Support
Assist in collection and consolidation of inputs from UN Women Country Offices in Central Asia for narrative and financial reports. Support tracking of progress against programme indicators and targets in line with the Results and Resources Framework Compile data (sex-, age-, -disaggregated) and prepare draft sections of donor and internal reports. Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and physical filing systems for programme documentation. Support documentation of lessons learned and good practices across the region.3. Coordination and Partnership Support
Facilitate communication between UN Women Kazakhstan, other UN Women COs in Central Asia, UNDP, UNFPA and other partners. Support coordination with CSOs, WROs, service providers, academia, and private sector stakeholders in line with the programme’s multi-stakeholder approach Provide organizational and technical support for regional and national consultations, workshops, meetings and policy dialogues. Assist in preparation of background materials for high-level events and inter-agency meetings. Coordinate and facilitate collaboration the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Knowledge Centre, ensuring alignment of research, capacity development and knowledge-generation activities with programme objectives; consolidate evidence and lessons learned for programme reporting and advocacy; and ensure effective dissemination of knowledge products at national and regional levels.4. Financial, Procurement and Administrative Support
Assist in preparation of procurement and recruitment documentation in accordance with UN Women rules and procedures. Support monitoring of programme budget and expenditures to ensure timely and efficient financial delivery (minimum 95%). Prepare Requests for Services and Payments and support financial tracking of activities. Coordinate logistical arrangements for missions, workshops, and regional events in collaboration with the Operations Unit.5. Communication and Knowledge Management
Draft communication materials, short briefs, and web/social media inputs highlighting programme results, in line with EU visibility requirements Support organization of advocacy campaigns and public awareness initiatives linked to social norms transformation and zero tolerance to GBV. Maintain database of partners and stakeholders. Support knowledge exchange across Central Asia and contribute to documentation of cross-border learning.6. Contribution to UN Women Office Work
Support the Programme Coordinator in ensuring alignment of programme activities with UN Women Kazakhstan Strategic Note and UNSDCF priorities. Contribute to office-wide initiatives and corporate processes as requested by the Programme Coordinator and senior management. Perform other duties as required for effective implementation of UN Women’s mandate.Key performance indicators:
Timely and quality programme strategies and contributions on EWAVG Timely and quality of programme delivery in line with budget (minimum 95%), workplans and the Programme Document Timely submission of high-quality narrative inputs for donor and corporate reports (100% on schedule) Partners and other stakeholder provide positive feedback on technical services Percentage of small grants processes completed in compliance with UN Women Small Grants Policy (100%). Quality coordination between UN Women Office in Central Asia and reports and timely submission Quality of advocacy, communication and knowledge management initiatives Strong relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders Enhanced best practices and lessons learned documented and circulated.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.Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
Strong knowledge in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-based violence thematic areas Strong programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them Strong knowledge of Results Based Management Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation Strong networking skills Ability to negotiate and interact with donors, identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising Good knowledge of UN programme management systems.Minimum qualifications:
Education and Certifications:
Bachelor degree or equivalent in law, social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required. A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.Experience:
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administration or programme management/support is required; 3 years of experience at the national and international level in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects; Technical experience in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-based violence thematic areas; Experience in managing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects; Experience in work with Civil Society Organisation, Women led Organisations, Women Human Rights Defenders. Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset; Experience working in the UN System is an asset.Languages:
Fluency in English and Russian is required; Knowledge of Kazakh is an asset; Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.Statements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
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.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
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.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.