Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position:

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Sub-Cluster Coordinator post is located in the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office (CO) in Kabul. The incumbent facilitates and coordinates the rapid implementation of multi-sectoral, inter-agency GBV humanitarian and basic human needs interventions at national and sub-national level.

The Humanitarian Reset in Afghanistan has positioned UNFPA as the provider of last resort in GBV to effectively align GBV Coordination with quality GBV services under the Protection Work Stream which replaces the Protection Cluster serving both humanitarian and basic human needs. In this context the concept of AORs under the Protection Cluster is combined to serve both humanitarian and basic human needs. 

Comprehensive GBV prevention, risk mitigation  and response programming in humanitarian emergencies requires skilled coordination of a range of organizations and actors, including displaced and host communities, NGOs, government counterparts (as feasible), UN agencies and other national and international organizations. The GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator supports the GBV workstream led by UNFPA and works within the umbrella of the Protection Cluster.

The GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator’s duties include but are not limited to: building and sustaining partnerships, strategic planning, capacity development, advocacy and information management. The incumbent uses the GBV AoR Handbook for Coordinating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Emergencies, the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for Prevention and Response to GBV in Emergencies and the IASC Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing Risk, Promoting Resilience and Aiding Recovery, among other global standards, to facilitate planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of inter-agency GBV initiatives.

In Afghanistan, the incumbent, together with the Humanitarian Coordinator, represents UNFPA in an inter-agency capacity to support a robust and well-functioning coordination body that promotes the highest standards of GBV prevention , risk mitigation and response in line with global guidance.

The position reports directly to the Humanitarian Coordinator. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Humanitarian Coordinator and within the Protection Cluster/ Protection Coordination Group  coordination architecture, the GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator focuses on multi-sectoral and multi-agency convergence and coordination to promote sustained access to quality, survivor-centered GBV services for women and girls in humanitarian settings.

The GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator is responsible for providing technical guidance to the GBV workstream and strengthening inter-agency coordination through partnerships, effective planning, capacity development, advocacy and information management.

You would be responsible for: 

Facilitation of the overall coordination of the GBV coordination forum in Afghanistan and will perform the following: 

Strategic Coordination and Leadership

• Provide technical support to development of advocacy and policy documents addressing GBV within broader gender inequality and protection priorities.
• Promote awareness of relevant laws, policies and commitments informing action to address GBV (as applicable within the operating environment).
• Represent the GBV Workstream and GBV issues in Protection Cluster/Protection Coordination Group and other inter-d cluster/sector meetings,  HCT and engagements, including those convened by the Humanitarian Coordinator.
• Ensure GBV priorities are reflected in overall Centrality of Protection (CoP) strategy  and humanitarian response plans.

Building and Sustaining Partnerships

• Support and facilitate the inter-agency, multi-sectoral GBV coordination mechanism (GBV workstream) at national level, and ensure linkages with sub-national coordination mechanisms as applicable.
• Promote and ensure that the Principles of Partnership are reflected in the day-to-day functioning of the GBV coordination platform.
• Establish and maintain results-oriented, two-way communication channels between national and sub-national GBV/ Protection  coordination structures to support standardized approaches and consistent technical guidance.
• Proactively engage relevant stakeholders to ensure coordination bodies reflect the range of actors addressing GBV, across sectors (health, psychosocial, legal, protection, security) and categories of actors (UN, INGOs, NGOs, civil society, and—where feasible—national counterparts).
• Coordinate and collaborate with other sectors/working groups (Health, Child Protection, Shelter/NFI, Food Security, Education, WASH, MHPSS, etc.) to integrate GBV risk mitigation actions in sector plans and promote joint awareness-raising for non-GBV specialists.
• Support advocacy with donors and contribute to resource mobilization for inter-agency GBV prevention and response activities in line with the HRP and GBV AoR workplan, in coordination with UNFPA.
• In consultation with civil society and relevant actors, identify appropriate mechanisms for engagement on GBV issues within the operational context.

Strategic Planning

• Lead/support GBV workstream participation in inter-sector assessments and ensure adequate GBV integration within humanitarian response planning processes.
• Provide guidance for development/review/update of GBV referral pathways and promote minimum service packages in line with global guidance.
• Support periodic review of GBV  workstream workplan, Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) priorities and adjust coordination actions accordingly.
• Support the development and implementation of a GBV strategy aligned to HRP objectives, in conjunction with the Humanitarian Coordinator.
• Facilitate implementation, review and update of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and coordination tools at key points throughout the response.
• Support mapping of GBV response capacities and facilitate 5Ws/4Ws mapping for GBV services.
• Regularly monitor progress against plans during coordination meetings and support inclusion of new actors over time.
• Work with partners to identify response gaps (geographic coverage and programmatic scope) and propose solutions.

Capacity Development

• Collaborate  with partners to develop and implement an inter-agency GBV capacity development plan responsive to national and local needs and priorities, and provide technical support with GBV service providers on quality programming and adherence to standards. 
• Adapt training materials to context and ensure partners’ access to relevant capacity development opportunities.
• Support strengthening of partner capacity on planning and responding to GBV in emergencies and safe/ethical GBV information management.
• Ensure partners have access to relevant policy guidance, technical standards and resource materials.
• Support roll-out of GBV case management capacity strengthening and related initiatives among GBV partners.
• Promote survivor-centered approaches and adherence to standards including IASC Guidelines and WHO recommendations.
• Support development, implementation and monitoring of SOPs and referral pathways among GBV actors.
• Facilitate GBV mainstreaming sessions for non-GBV specialist sectors.

Information Management

In line with WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations:

• Conduct quality assurance activities and prepare information for strategic decision-making. 
• Conduct and support analysis of available secondary data to understand trends and patterns.
• Consolidate existing assessments and support participatory analyses, as feasible.
• Support assessment missions and safety audits, in conjunction with the Humanitarian Coordinator and relevant partners.
• Support training of partner organizations and other sectors on safe, ethical data collection aligned with GBVIMS tools and inter-agency guidance.
• Support development of reporting formats and inputs that strengthen analysis of progress and outcomes.
• Document best practices and approaches to strengthen the collective evidence base.

Any Other Duties

• Submit monthly progress reports against workplan outputs and key coordination deliverables.
• Support collaboration between GBV workstream and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) networks and contribute to collective PSEA actions.
• Provide technical backstopping to UNFPA GBV humanitarian programming as required, including supporting synergies across humanitarian, development and peace-responsive programming.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor or designated authority.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in social sciences, public administration, law, public health, international relations, gender studies or related disciplines.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration, including in countries experiencing and/or emerging from protracted crises is required.
• Experience developing and facilitating specialized GBV trainings is required.
• Experience supporting or leading GBV coordination mechanisms with multiple stakeholders; demonstrable understanding of effective inter-agency coordination is required.
• Demonstrable knowledge of GBV in humanitarian settings and context-appropriate prevention and response actions is required.
• Demonstrable knowledge of humanitarian operations, including the Cluster System, Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC), and roles/responsibilities of key humanitarian actors is required.
• Experience designing and/or managing GBV programmes in an NGO setting is an asset.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in another UN language is desirable. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system 
• Embracing cultural diversity 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national
• governments and partners/building strategic
• alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.