Programme Assistant in Gender and Human Rights

Support gender and human rights programming in Nigeria.

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Sunday 29 Jun 2025 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Support gender and human rights programming in Nigeria.

You have:

  • Demonstrated interest and/or experience in Human Rights, Gender, and Development, including project management in development.

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

The UNDP Gender and Human Rights Unit is configured to respond to Nigeria’s challenges in the area of gender equality and women empowerment. The commitment of the Nigerian government to address these issues is affirmed in the Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda of the Government. These priorities are being addressed in the 7th Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and UNDP (2009-2013). They have also been confirmed by the Common Country Assessment for Nigeria within the current United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The policy thrust includes improving governance, security, law and order; consolidating the democratic process; engendering more efficient and effective use of resources; addressing the root causes of corruption and strengthening accountability and transparency in governance. This UNV assignment is part of the UNDP Nigeria Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls. The Initiative is focused on promoting the empowerment of women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence. The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to the issue, moving it into the spotlight and placing it at the centre of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, Gender and Human Rights, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: i. Support the Gender and Human Rights programming unit with the implementation of the project’s activities in accordance with the annual work plan and towards achieving the project outputs and outcomes. ii. Assist with regular follow up with national experts and consultants and civil society groups or think tanks involved in the implementation of project activities, including revision of their deliverables and results. iii. Participate in providing support to UNDP implementing partners/responsible parties, carrying specific activities within the project. iv. Give inputs to quarterly progress reports and contribute to the drafting of annual and bi-annual project reports. v. Support the Project team to prepare and organize workshops, training and meetings with partners and key stakeholders. vi. Assist in the documentation and reporting on programme activities, writing meeting minutes, mission and training reports
vii. Support research to inform preparation of talking points, concept notes and other documentation viii. Support the development of news stories and briefs for the website and newsletters, and the production of advocacy materials viii. Assist the UNDP Country Office (CO) in developing a Gender Equality Strategy, and provide support to mainstream gender in projects across all units in the CO. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. 

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity

Demonstrated interest and/or experience in Human Rights, Gender, and Development, including project management in development.

Visa process: Volunteers are responsible for applying for an STR visa in their country with supporting documentation from the recruiting UN Agency and the visa is regularised upon arrival of the volunteer at the duty station. The process lasts between a few weeks to three months.

The assignment will take place in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which is the capital city of Nigeria. Abuja is classified as a C duty station, reflecting moderate living conditions with essential amenities available. As the political and administrative center of Nigeria, Abuja is home to government institutions, embassies, and international organizations. The city is well-planned, featuring good road networks, modern infrastructure, and relatively stable electricity and water supply compared to other parts of the country. Abuja offers various housing options, ranging from apartments to houses, and residents have access to a variety of supermarkets, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Nigeria, with a population of approximately 184 million people, is the most populous country in Africa, accounting for 47% of West Africa's population. It is home to one of the largest youth populations globally. Nigeria is a political federation consisting of 36 autonomous states and a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society. With its abundance of natural resources, Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil exporter and holds the continent’s largest natural gas reserves. The country is inhabited by over 500 ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba—the three largest groups—and over 500 languages are spoken. English is the official language. Despite its resources, Nigeria faces significant challenges, including terrorist threats in the northeast, inter-communal violence across the middle belt, and insurgency in the Delta region. Underlying these security issues are high levels of poverty, unemployment, a growing population of frustrated youth, and environmental challenges such as the degradation of natural resources and climate stressors. In Abuja, the primary security concern is terrorism, along with general crime. UN staff are advised to reside only in assessed hotels, the list of which is available through Agency Security Focal Points.The currency used in Nigeria is the Nigerian Naira (currency code NGN, symbol ₦). As this is an international UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials.

Potential interview questions

Can you provide an example of how you have contributed to gender equality in your previous work? This question assesses your practical experience and commitment to gender equality initiatives. Discuss specific projects or initiatives where you made an impact on gender issues.
Describe a situation where you had to adapt your approach to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. The interviewer is looking for your adaptability in diverse environments. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects simultaneously? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What experiences do you have in drafting reports and documentation for project activities? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain how you would support the development of a Gender Equality Strategy? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you stay informed about current trends and developments in gender issues? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Share an example of a successful workshop or training you organized. What was its outcome? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to engage local communities in empowerment initiatives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org