NATIONAL POST: Programme Analyst, Gender and Social Policy (NOB), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Organisation: UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund
Location: Ashkhabad
Deadline: 4 November 2026

Job description

National Professional Officers (NPOs) must be citizens of the country where the office is located.

The Position:

The Programme Analyst, Gender and Social Policy is located in the UNFPA Turkmenistan Country Office (CO). Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Office, the Programme Analyst on Gender and Social Policy substantively contributes to the effective management of UNFPA programmes in the area of gender equality, in related social policies, and legal frameworks.

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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:

The Programme Analyst will provide technical guidance and policy advice to advance UNFPA programmes in the areas of Gender and Social Policy elaborated in the UNFPA Turkmenistan country programme 2026-2030. In particular, primary focus will be towards ensuring that gender based violence (GBV) legislation is developed and enacted, a multisectoral response to GBV is in place, and gender responsive approach to development planning is ensured in the social sector, including health, education, and social protection.

S/he analyses and assesses relevant political, social and economic trends and provides substantive inputs to programme formulation and evaluation, UN joint programme initiatives and national development frameworks. The Programme Analyst on Gender and Social Policy also contributes to the delivery of UNFPA’s programmes by monitoring results achieved under the portfolio.

You would be responsible for:

A. Technical Guidance

• The Programme Analyst is responsible for effective design and management of the country programmE components on gender equality and related social policy portfolio. S/he analyses and assesses relevant political, social and economic trends and provides substantive inputs to programme planning, formulation, effective delivery, robust monitoring and reporting, including joint UN programme initiatives. These all contribute to national priorities and related development frameworks. S/he ensures and guides the appropriate application of corporate policies and procedures related to programme delivery with suggested enhancements if necessary.

• Strengthen capacity of individuals, communities and institutions to address gender discrimination and harmful social and gender norms to advance gender equality, bodily autonomy and reproductive rights.

Lead and contribute to strengthening capacity of national institutions in (a) integrating GBV prevention and response within health services and promotes rights-based, survivor-centred care; (b) ensuring multisectoral coordination to address GBV prevention and response across other sectors, including education, justice, law enforcement and social services;

B. Policy Advisory Support and Knowledge Management

• Analyses and interprets the political, and socio-cultural, and economic environment relevant to gender equality and equity, gender related social norms, women`s empowerment, male engagement, youth development and engagement, and uses the information to identify opportunities for policy interventions;

• Stays abreast of existing legal provisions and suggests new amendments or adoption of legislative changes that enable policy developments and strategies. This will include analyzing national legislation (legal acts and bylaws),, legal procedures and proceedings, social services, policy papers, strategic documents, national plans and Contribute to advancing legal and policy reform that safeguard reproductive rights and protect individuals from violence and discrimination;

• Prepares briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, advocacy meetings,, and contributes to mainstreaming gender-transformative approaches in sustainable development frameworks;

• Analyses and reports on programme implementation towards achieving results, using corporate monitoring and evaluation tools, mechanisms and systems; identifies implementation constraints and challenges and recommends corrective actions. Monitors programme expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with approved project budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels;

• Helps create and document knowledge about trends in the areas of gender equality.,human rights and social development by analyzing programme strategies, approaches and documenting lessons learned and best practices. Ensure generation of knowledge products, and shares with internal and external audiences through knowledge sharing platforms and for use in planning future strategies;

C. Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Serve as an active member of the UN Human Rights, Gender and Youth Theme Group to advocate for issues within the UNFPA mandate, develop strategic partnerships with UN agencies in order to enhance UN coordination, and strengthen the overall UN agencies’ performance on gender equality by mainstreaming gender into all key policies and programmes;

• Contributes substantially to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events;

• Develops strategic partnerships, maintains networks and close linkages with relevant government stakeholders, international organizations, donors, key policy makers, women and youth organizations, educators, donor community, research institutions;

• Analyzes the funding and financing landscape as it relates to gender and social policy, identifies potential entry points for increased domestic resources and supports the development of tailored resource mobilization documentation (concept notes, costed proposals, factsheets, presentations) for prospective partners.

• Ensures timely monitoring and reporting to donors using corporate systems, tools

• Expedites and coordinates programme implementation with national partners, UN and development partners, experts, to ensure effective, timely, and efficient delivery of the Country programme and achievement of planned targets.

• In collaboration with the UNFPA Country Office colleagues and Regional Office colleagues, government counterparts, NGOs and other partners, contributes substantively to the implementation of the country programme 2026-2030 and successor programme cycles in the area of Gender and Social Policy in line with Government development priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

D. Programme Management

• Be accountable for financial resources allocated to the Gender and Social Policy Programme; carry out budget projections, closely monitor expenditures, conduct regular budget reviews and analyze related financial reports; ensure proper compliance with UNFPA policies and procedures;

• Supports and undertakes corporate roles under the Enterprise Resource Planning system (Quantum/Quantum plus) as may be required

• Ensure timely and quality work plans and reports as requested;

• Manage assets that have been procured by the UNFPA and supplied to the implementing partners;

• Undertake field monitoring visits to assess programme progress, disseminate findings and undertake follow-up actions. Quarterly analyze and report on the progress in Reproductive Health.

• Contributes substantively to the implementation of the country programme 2026-2030 and successor programme cycles in the area of Gender and Social Policy in line with Government development priorities

• Oversee achievement of programme results by ensuring appropriate policies are applied and monitoring and oversight mechanisms are established and implemented.

• In consultation with national counterparts’/development partners and in line with the 2026-2030 country programme, develop and implement the annual work plans in a timely and efficient way.

• Carry out other duties as may be required by your supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced degree in Law, Legal studies, Social sciences, International relations, Political science,, sociology, gender studies, development studies and/or other related social science field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of two(2) years of relevant professional experience in programme/ project management preferably in the public sector, international organizations or with non-governmental organizations in the area of Jurisprudence, Gender Equality and Social Policy