UN Women JPO – Gender in Humanitarian Act Analyst (Kampala, Uganda)
Junior Professional Officer (JPO) – Gender in Humanitarian Action Programme Analyst with UN Women in Kampala, Uganda. However, only Norwegian nationals are eligible to apply under the JPO program framework.
Overview of the Job Vacancies
This role is focused on gender mainstreaming in humanitarian action. The hired candidate will support UN Women Uganda in ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into refugee response efforts. They will also assist the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in Uganda, which is responsible for coordinating humanitarian efforts for refugees and host communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting Gender Integration in Humanitarian Action:
- Assist in integrating gender perspectives into refugee response programs.
- Provide technical support for women’s leadership, empowerment, protection, and access to resources in humanitarian settings.
- Monitor and ensure gender equality and women’s rights are included in government and UN policies.
- Coordination & Capacity Building:
- Work closely with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
- Provide technical assistance to Uganda’s CRRF Secretariat to ensure gender inclusion in all refugee-related policies and programs.
- Support training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns for government officials, NGOs, and other partners.
- Programme Design & Implementation:
- Assist in developing humanitarian policies and action plans with a gender focus.
- Support monitoring and evaluation of projects to ensure gender-responsive programming.
- Work closely with donors, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to align humanitarian efforts with gender equality goals.
- Knowledge Management & Advocacy:
- Create reports, policy briefs, and presentations on gender in humanitarian action.
- Document and share best practices related to women’s participation in disaster response and refugee support.
- Organize advocacy campaigns and events to promote gender equality in humanitarian settings.
Why This Role is Important
- Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, with over 1.5 million refugees.
- Women and girls face unique challenges in refugee settings, including gender-based violence, lack of economic opportunities, and limited access to education and healthcare.
- Ensuring women’s leadership and participation in humanitarian action improves social cohesion, resilience, and sustainable development.
Job Requirements
- Education:
- Master’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience OR
- Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of relevant experience
- Fields: Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Development, Human Rights, or related areas.
- Experience:
- Experience in gender and humanitarian programming.
- Experience working with government agencies and international organizations.
- Knowledge of IASC Gender in Humanitarian Action guidelines, UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and disaster risk reduction frameworks.
- Languages:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Other UN languages are an asset.
Contract Details
- Location: Kampala, Uganda
- Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year, renewable)
- Salary Grade: P2 (Junior Professional Officer Level)
- Start Date: September 2025
- Special Condition: Open only to Norwegian nationals under the JPO program.
Understanding the Role
This job is part of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme, which is designed for young professionals who want to gain hands-on experience in international development. It is a full-time, fixed-term position based in Kampala, Uganda. The role focuses on ensuring that gender equality is integrated into humanitarian response efforts, especially for refugees and host communities in Uganda.
Why This Role Exists
- Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world (over 1.5 million refugees, mainly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and other neighboring countries).
- Women and girls in refugee settings face unique vulnerabilities, including:
- Gender-based violence (GBV)
- Limited access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities
- Exclusion from leadership and decision-making roles
- The Ugandan government, through the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), has a policy of integrating refugees into local communities rather than keeping them in camps.
- UN Women, along with other UN agencies, works to ensure that women’s rights, safety, and participation are at the center of refugee response programs.
This job is important because it helps strengthen gender-sensitive humanitarian action by:
- Ensuring women and girls have equal access to aid, services, and decision-making opportunities.
- Training government agencies, NGOs, and humanitarian workers on gender mainstreaming.
- Monitoring refugee programs to ensure they meet international gender equality standards.
Key Responsibilities in Detail
1. Gender Mainstreaming in Humanitarian Action
- Ensure gender equality is a key priority in Uganda’s refugee response.
- Work closely with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which oversees refugee coordination, and provide technical support to integrate gender into refugee policies.
- Align programs with international gender guidelines, such as:
- IASC Gender in Humanitarian Action Guidelines
- Gender and Age Markers (tools used to measure gender sensitivity in humanitarian programs)
- UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security
- Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2. Coordination & Capacity Building
- Provide training sessions, workshops, and technical support to UN agencies, government bodies, and humanitarian organizations.
- Ensure that women’s leadership and participation are prioritized in refugee decision-making structures.
- Work with refugee women’s groups to promote their voices and representation.
3. Program Implementation & Monitoring
- Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of gender-focused humanitarian programs.
- Conduct needs assessments to identify gaps in gender equality within refugee responses.
- Work closely with donors and partners to mobilize resources for gender and humanitarian programs.
- Develop reports, policy briefs, and advocacy materials to influence policy and funding decisions.
4. Knowledge Management & Advocacy
- Create and distribute best practices and lessons learned in gender and humanitarian action.
- Organize awareness campaigns, events, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Monitor data and indicators to track progress on gender equality in refugee response programs.
Table of Contents
Skills and Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender Studies, International Development, etc.) + at least 2 years of experience
OR - Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field + at least 4 years of experience
Experience Required:
- Relevant, paid work experience in humanitarian action, gender equality, refugee response, or disaster risk reduction.
- Experience in policy development, program management, monitoring & evaluation.
- Experience in gender-sensitive humanitarian programming.
- Knowledge of international frameworks related to gender and humanitarian action (e.g., IASC, CEDAW, UN SCR 1325).
- Experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs is an advantage.
- Project/program management certification is an added advantage.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, etc.) is an asset.
Work Environment & Organizational Structure
- You will report to the Humanitarian Specialist at UN Women Uganda.
- You will work closely with:
- The Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) Secretariat
- Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)
- UNHCR and other UN agencies
- International donors and humanitarian organizations
- Local women’s rights organizations and refugee groups
Why Should You Apply?
This role offers a unique opportunity to:
✅ Work with UN Women, a leading agency in promoting gender equality.
✅ Gain international development experience in a real humanitarian setting.
✅ Be part of Uganda’s national-level refugee response coordination system.
✅ Get hands-on project management, advocacy, and policy development experience.
✅ Learn how to integrate gender perspectives into disaster and emergency response.
✅ Build a strong professional network in the UN and humanitarian sectors.
✅ Benefit from training, mentorship, and career development opportunities through the JPO program.
Contract Details & Application Process
- Job Location: Kampala, Uganda
- Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year, renewable)
- Salary Grade: P2 (Junior Professional Officer Level)
- Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
- Start Date: September 2025
- Special Eligibility: Only Norwegian nationals can apply under the JPO program.
Documents Required for Application:
✔ Motivation letter in English (explaining why you are a perfect fit for the job)
✔ Copy of your Norwegian passport
✔ Copy of your Master’s or Bachelor’s degree
Selection Process:
- The selected candidate will undergo a pre-departure training with NOREC (Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation) in August 2025.
- UNDP will conduct rigorous reference and background checks.
Final Thoughts
This job is a great opportunity for a young Norwegian professional looking to build a career in international development, humanitarian response, and gender equality. You will be working in one of the most dynamic refugee contexts in the world while contributing to gender-responsive policies and programs.
Comprehensive Overview of the UN Women JPO – Gender in Humanitarian Action Programme Analyst Role
This position is a unique opportunity to work with UN Women in Uganda, one of the leading countries in progressive refugee policies under the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). Uganda hosts over 1.5 million refugees, mainly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, and Somalia. These refugees live alongside host communities, with access to services such as healthcare, education, and employment. However, refugee women and girls face unique vulnerabilities due to gender inequality, poverty, and conflict-related trauma.
As a JPO Programme Analyst, you will be responsible for ensuring that gender equality is fully integrated into Uganda’s refugee response efforts. You will work on strengthening gender-responsive humanitarian action, ensuring that refugee women’s rights, leadership, and protection are prioritized in national and international efforts.
1. The Broader Context: Gender in Humanitarian Action
Why is gender mainstreaming important in humanitarian work?
Humanitarian crises affect men, women, and children differently. In refugee settings, women and girls often:
🔸 Experience higher risks of gender-based violence (GBV), including domestic violence, early marriage, and sexual exploitation.
🔸 Have less access to humanitarian aid, healthcare, and livelihoods.
🔸 Are underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles.
🔸 Face barriers in education and economic empowerment.
By integrating gender equality into refugee programs, we ensure that:
✔ Women and girls have equal access to resources and services.
✔ Policies and programs address their unique needs.
✔ They have opportunities for economic empowerment and leadership.
This is where the JPO Programme Analyst plays a key role—helping humanitarian agencies, policymakers, and development partners integrate a gender perspective into their work.
2. Key Duties & Responsibilities in Depth
A. Gender-Responsive Humanitarian Action
- Ensure that gender equality is a core component of humanitarian policies in Uganda.
- Work with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to support gender-sensitive policies in refugee response.
- Align refugee programs with international standards, including:
🔹 IASC Gender in Humanitarian Action Guidelines
🔹 UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security)
🔹 CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)
🔹 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
B. Capacity Building & Training
- Train government officials, UN agencies, and NGOs on gender equality in humanitarian work.
- Strengthen women’s leadership in refugee response structures.
- Work with local women’s organizations to amplify their voices in policy-making.
C. Project Implementation & Monitoring
- Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of gender-focused humanitarian projects.
- Conduct needs assessments to identify gaps in refugee services for women and girls.
- Ensure programs use gender and age markers to measure their impact.
D. Advocacy & Policy Development
- Develop reports, policy briefs, and advocacy materials on gender-responsive humanitarian action.
- Organize campaigns, public events, and knowledge-sharing workshops.
- Work with international donors to mobilize funding for gender programs.
3. Who Will You Work With?
As a JPO, you will collaborate with:
✅ UN Women Uganda (your primary employer)
✅ Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) (responsible for refugee response)
✅ UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) and other UN agencies
✅ International humanitarian organizations and NGOs
✅ Local women’s rights groups and refugee-led organizations
✅ Government ministries (gender, health, education, etc.)
✅ International donors and funding agencies
Your role is to bridge the gap between these actors, ensuring that gender equality remains a priority in humanitarian efforts.
4. What You Need to Succeed in This Role
Education & Qualifications
✔ Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, or related fields. (Minimum 2 years of experience)
OR
✔ Bachelor’s degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience.
Experience Required
✔ Experience in gender-sensitive humanitarian programming, refugee response, or disaster risk reduction.
✔ Background in policy development, program management, and monitoring & evaluation.
✔ Knowledge of international humanitarian frameworks (IASC, CEDAW, UN SCR 1325, Sendai Framework).
✔ Experience working with government agencies, UN bodies, or NGOs.
✔ Project management certification is an added advantage.
Language Requirements
✔ Fluency in English is required.
✔ Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, etc.) is an asset.
5. Why Apply for This Role?
This is a rare opportunity to work in a high-impact, real-world humanitarian setting while building a strong career in gender and humanitarian action.
Top Reasons to Apply:
⭐ Gain first-hand experience in humanitarian operations.
⭐ Work with top UN agencies and international organizations.
⭐ Be part of Uganda’s progressive refugee policy framework.
⭐ Learn policy advocacy, program design, and implementation skills.
⭐ Contribute to life-changing gender equality initiatives.
⭐ Build a strong network in the UN system.
⭐ Access training, mentorship, and career development opportunities.
6. Application & Selection Process
Contract & Salary Details
- Job Location: Kampala, Uganda
- Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year, renewable)
- Salary Grade: P2 (Junior Professional Officer)
- Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
- Start Date: September 2025
- Eligibility: Only Norwegian nationals can apply under this JPO program.
Documents Required for Application:
📌 Motivation letter in English (explaining why you are the best candidate)
📌 Copy of your Norwegian passport
📌 Copy of your Master’s or Bachelor’s degree
Selection Process:
1️⃣ Application screening.
2️⃣ Shortlisting based on education, experience, and motivation letter.
3️⃣ Interviews with UN Women and NOREC (Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation).
4️⃣ Final selection and pre-departure training in August 2025.
Final Thoughts
This position is a fantastic stepping stone for any young Norwegian professional looking to build a career in humanitarian action, gender equality, and international development. You will gain hands-on experience in one of the most dynamic refugee contexts in the world, ensuring that women’s voices, rights, and leadership are at the center of humanitarian response.
The UN Women Junior Professional Officer (JPO) position for a Gender in Humanitarian Action Programme Analyst is a unique opportunity for Norwegian nationals to contribute to gender equality initiatives within humanitarian contexts. Based in Kampala, Uganda, this role focuses on integrating gender perspectives into the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and broader refugee responses in the country.
Key Responsibilities:
- Programme Support: Provide substantive inputs to the design, formulation, implementation, and evaluation of UN Women’s programmes in Uganda, ensuring gender considerations are central to humanitarian actions.
- Technical Assistance: Offer technical support to the CRRF Secretariat to mainstream gender across all pillars of the refugee response, collaborating closely with the Office of the Prime Minister and aligning efforts with the CRRF roadmap.
- Advocacy and Knowledge Building: Develop background documents, briefs, and presentations on gender in humanitarian action. Coordinate advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, and workshops to promote gender-responsive approaches within the CRRF.
- Capacity Development: Identify opportunities for building the capacity of partners, facilitating technical support and training sessions to enhance gender mainstreaming in humanitarian programmes.
Qualifications:
- Education: A Master’s degree in social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or a related field is required. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may also be considered.
- Experience: A minimum of two years (with a Master’s degree) or four years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in development programme implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building. Experience in promoting gender equality in refugee responses or emergency situations is highly desirable.
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in another UN language is considered an asset.
Eligibility and Application Details:
This position is exclusively open to nationals of Norway under the JPO programme framework. Applicants are required to submit a motivation letter in English, a copy of their passport, and proof of their Master’s degree. The anticipated start date is September 2025, with a mandatory online pre-departure training in late August 2025.
For comprehensive information on the JPO Programme and specific recruitment criteria, please visit the UNDP JPO Service Centre at https://www.undp.org/jposc.
This role offers a significant opportunity to impact gender-responsive humanitarian efforts in Uganda, working within a collaborative environment alongside government entities, UN agencies, donors, and civil society organization
