Gender Equality Officer

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

UNOPS Mozambique is a trusted partner in advancing the country’s development priorities and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Working closely with the Government and development partners, UNOPS delivers a range of services—including project management, procurement, and capacity building—to support peacebuilding, expand access to essential services, and strengthen livelihoods. The office plays a vital role in implementing projects that foster resilience and sustainable development, particularly in communities affected by conflict and climate-related challenges. With a strong track record of delivering high-impact, results-driven initiatives, UNOPS continues to contribute to long-term, positive change for the people of Mozambique.

In January 2026, Mozambique experienced the most severe floods in recent years, significantly affecting the southern and central regions of the country. The agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors were particularly impacted, resulting in extensive loss of cultivated land, livestock mortality and displacement, and damage to irrigation systems and fishing infrastructure. These impacts have further exacerbated the socioeconomic vulnerability of rural communities in Mozambique.

In response, the Government of Mozambique, with financing from the World Bank, requested UNOPS to support the implementation of a flood response project valued at USD 66 million. The project will focus on the procurement and distribution of emergency agricultural inputs, fisheries equipment, veterinary supplies, and vaccines in 6 most affected provinces - Maputo, Gaza, Zambezia, Tete, Sofala and Manica. UNOPS plans to set up a project team of approximately 26 personnel to support the implementation of the project. The project personnel composition include Project Management, Risk Management, Fiduciary Management, Results Management, Technical Supervision and Support Services. 

The Gender Equality Officer supports the project in implementing the Project's GBV/PSEA Action Plan in close consultation with government and implementing partners. The role is responsible for monitoring and reporting on GBV/PSEA activities and indicators, ensuring mitigation measures are implemented in line with E&S safeguards instruments, and providing technical support for gender mainstreaming across the project. The Officer collaborates with case management teams and service providers to ensure survivors receive quality, survivor-centered services, while also supporting partner capacity building, coordination, and knowledge management to promote gender equality and social inclusion throughout project implementation.

Support to GBV/PSEA Action Plan Implementation

Support the project to roll out the Project’s GBV/PSEA Action Plan with government and implementing partners.

Report on all GBV/PSEA Action Plan activities and monitor partners’ implementation of the Action Plan and Social Services work package.

Oversee, monitor, and report on GBV/PSEA indicators in E&S safeguards instruments and follow up on mitigation measures.

Conduct field monitoring visits and spot checks to verify mitigation measures are properly implemented.

Contribute to general project reporting and ensure all project workers sign the Code of Conduct.

Maintain an up-to-date map of GBV service providers and establish partnerships for referrals.

Handle additional assignments as directed by the Supervisor.

Project Monitoring and Reporting

Monitor GBV/PSEA-related activities across all project sites.

Provide inputs in preparing project reports and documents.

Maintain project files and enter data into offline risk, lessons, and issues management sheets for GBV/PSEA CheckPoint Reports.

Support data compilation and analysis for regular Unit reports and stage plans.

Participate in periodic project site visits within Mozambique to review compliance with recognized procedures.

Take minutes of regular meetings with Implementing Partners, GBV AoR, and PSEA network, and follow up on action points.

Project Implementation

Support project in ensuring UNOPS policies, procedures, and PSEA rules are followed for efficient project implementation.

Monitor the unit work plan and flag activity end dates and reporting requirements.

Collaborate with case management teams and psychosocial workers to ensure survivor-centered, protection-based case management.

Follow up with partners to ensure GBV/PSEA cases receive quality multi-sectoral services from point of contact to discharge.

Assist women’s safe spaces and communities in developing and disseminating service availability messages.

Technical Support, Coordination, and Knowledge Management

Provide technical support for gender mainstreaming, develop training plans, and facilitate gender training and workshops for partners.

Engage in gender equality and social inclusion networking, represent the project in relevant meetings, and support gender data analysis and knowledge management.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in  International Relations,  Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender Studies or other relevant disciplines with two (2) years of relevant professional experience is required; OR

Desired

• Master’s degree International Relations,  Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender Studies or other relevant disciplines is an asset.

Required

A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in GBV/PSEA programming, project implementation, monitoring and reporting is required.

Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.