The Position:
The Chief, Operational Support and Quality Assurance Branch (OSQAB) in the Policy and Strategy Division (PSD) is located at UNFPA Headquarters and reports to the Director of the Division. He/she oversees and manages the work of OSQAB, which is charged with providing programme support and quality assurance to Regional Offices and Country Offices for the formulation, approval, implementation, reporting and evaluation of country programmes, as well as representing UNFPA in inter-agency fora for the review, formulation and implementation of harmonized programming guidelines and processes.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The Chief of OSQAB provides substantive direction and support to the Operational Support and Quality Assurance Branch (OSQAB) in the Policy and Strategy Division (PSD). He/she ensures overall coordination and collaboration within PSD, throughout the UNFPA programme network, with the Technical Division, with Regional Offices, and across UNFPA as a whole, to enhance the timeliness, relevance and quality of Branch outputs. The Chief also has primary responsibility for the following key roles, which impacts on all Branch and Division activities:
• Programme Policy Coordination and Quality Assurance
• Oversight and Representation
• Advocacy and Communications
• Resources Management
Under the overall direction and guidance of the Director of PSD, and together with the other Chiefs in the Division, the Chief, OSQAB contributes to the work of the Division, and in this respect also ensures that there is congruence between the substantive goals and objectives with the availability of resources.
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related fields
Knowledge and Experience:
- 15 years experience of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration and international development of which at least 5 years in senior professional positions;
- Job knowledge and expertise - the incumbent is expected to have in-depth knowledge of UNFPA mandate areas;
- Proven ability to lead and manage teams of high-level experts to achieve demonstrable results;
- Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing in English;
- Strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations; and
- Field experience is a strong asset.
Other Desirable Skills:
Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
