Programme Support Officer

Host entity: UN Women Malawi

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Administration, Communication, advocacy, public information, Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 17/08/2026

Mission and objectives

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.

UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on four strategic priorities:

Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems
Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy
All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence
Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action
UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world.

Assignment context

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. UN Women supports UN Member States in setting global standards for achieving gender equality and works with governments and civil society to design systems, laws, policies, programs, and services to ensure these standards are effectively implemented.

The work of UN Women in Malawi is guided by its STRATEGIC NOTE 2024- 2028 , aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework for Malawi, the Malawi 2063 vision, and The Malawi 2063 First 10-year Implementation Plan (MIP-1) which all aims to contribute to the gender-transformative implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on five main areas: 1) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 2) Humanitarian and disaster risk reduction 3) UN Coordination on Gender Equality; 4) Women’s Economic empowerment and 5) Ending Violence against Women.

Provide support to the programme team through effective coordination of activities, ensuring alignment with UN Women’s strategic priorities and operational procedures. Assist the coordination team in the Gender Theme Group by facilitating communication and collaboration with donors. Contribute to donor reporting by compiling, analyzing, and presenting programme results, financial updates, and impact narratives in line with donor requirements and UN Women standards. Support monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure accountability, transparency, and evidence-based reporting that highlights progress toward gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Coordination Specialist, the UN Volunteer will support the programme team in ensuring alignment with UN Women’s policies and operational procedures:

• Provide technical and administrative support to strengthen programme delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist the coordination team in the Gender Theme Group and the United Nations (UN ) Gender Theme Group by facilitating communication and collaboration among donors, UN agencies, and members of the groups.
• Contribute to donor reporting by compiling, analysing, and presenting programme results, financial updates, and impact narratives in line with donor requirements and UN Women standards.
• Support monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure accountability, transparency, and evidence-based reporting.
• Maintain accurate documentation of programme activities, donor reports, and coordination outputs.
• Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, and consultations, ensuring effective follow-up and dissemination of outcomes.
• Support the development and implementation of communication materials (briefs, updates, presentations) to enhance visibility of programme results and ensure consistent messaging across stakeholders.

Skills and experience

- Professional experience in programme coordination, project management, or development cooperation, preferably within the UN system or international organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in donor reporting, including compiling, analysing, and presenting programme results and financial information.
- Background in gender equality, women’s empowerment, or related thematic areas.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, coordination mechanisms, and facilitating multi-partner collaboration.
- Skills in monitoring and evaluation, data collection, and evidence-based reporting.
- Good drafting, communication, and organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Applicants must possess either a master’s degree with at least three years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree with at least five years of relevant experience.

Competencies and values

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Creativity
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Knowledge Sharing
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Technological Awareness
Vision
Working in Teams

Living conditions

Malawi is a stable and democratic country and has no major security problem. The population of Malawi is about 19 million and the major languages are English and Chichewa, with several other local languages spoken across the country. Living conditions in the major cities are modest with basic supplies/amenities available. Health services and international schools are available in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba. Malaria is prevalent throughout the country. Social infrastructure, though limited, can be found in all 4 major cities.

The UN Volunteer will be based in the capital of the country, Lilongwe. Conditions in Lilongwe are generally good and have reasonable public health services complemented by private health service providers. Housing in Lilongwe varies, and it is possible to rent apartments in safe areas from US$500/month upwards. The UNV Unit will book temporary accommodation for the first nights at a UNDSS-approved lodge while assisting in getting permanent accommodation. The Government Department of Housing has a provision for government houses to UN staff, and when available, a UN Volunteer is allocated one.

Entry visas are processed online through the eVisa platform. Alternatively, entry visas can be issued at the port of arrival. UN Women facilitates applications for visa extensions and work permits. Malawi e-Visa System [https://evisa.gov.mw/]

A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).
UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Re-settlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.
Link to the entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.