The Position:
The Assistant Representative, in collaboration with the Deputy Representative, will support the design, development, and management of an innovative and responsive country programme. You will be the key liaison with the government and national partners to translate the goals of the approved Country Programme into tangible solutions and results.
You will report directly to the UNFPA Representative.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for reproductive health and rights and delivers 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) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. In the efforts to reduce the high mortality ratio in PNG as well as advance gender equality and reproductive rights, prevent and respond to GBV, and increase evidence-based planning, implementation, and monitoring of national policies, including at the sub-national levels and humanitarian settings where implementation challenges are significant; 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 and exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
You will contribute to the management of UNFPA programme activities in the areas of population and development, reproductive health, and gender in development and humanitarian settings. Working to advance the ICPD policy agenda in a challenging environment, you will respond to the changing priorities of Governments.
You will support the country office in promoting partnerships and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral agencies, and civil society. You will contribute to UN systems coordination through participation in policy dialogue and the provision of inputs into joint common system initiatives.
Reporting to the UNFPA Representative, you will act on her/his behalf as required.
You would be responsible for:
- Programme Management
- In collaboration with the Deputy Representative and other programme staff, you will support the design and formulation of country programmes, programme components, and projects based on strategic priorities that are responsive to the country’s needs in the areas of reproductive health, family planning, youth, population and development, and gender.
- Facilitate the achievement of programme results by identifying, providing, and coordinating substantive and technical inputs into programme development and implementation, ensuring substantive monitoring and oversight, and coordinating and evaluating the inputs of consultants and technical expertise.
- Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning, testing, linking, and documenting innovative strategies, approaches, lessons learned, and best practices inside and outside UNFPA and replicating these strategies and approaches.
- Ensure that programme staff integrates new substantive policies, methodologies, and tools.
- Participate in the United Nations Common Country Assessment and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) processes as part of the broader UN Reform initiatives, including in the overall Country Office reporting on UN INFO.
- Advocacy and Partnerships
- Support political scanning and the CO efforts to conduct substantive policy dialogue with Government counterparts, UN, and other development partners to facilitate the incorporation of UNFPA programme priorities and ICPD agenda into national and sub-national plans and strategies, UN systems initiatives, and development frameworks.
- Provide strategic inputs towards advocacy efforts of the Country Office by preparing or reviewing relevant documentation and donor profiles and participating in donor meetings and public information events.
- Support to translate global and regional strategies into country-specific advocacy strategies; create and deliver effective evidence-based advocacy and communication messages to promote UNFPA programme goals considering the political and cultural sensitivities.
- Advise on and build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for advocacy for the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development through national institutions, networks, alliances, and coalitions.
C. Management of resources
- Participate in the formulation of the annual work plans and monitor their day-to-day implementation through consultations, correspondence, and field visits.
- Contribute substantially and strategically to resource mobilization initiatives; assist in the formulation and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy for the country and mobilize resources to fill gaps.
- Support the UNFPA Deputy Representative in ensuring systems of accountability for the management of Country Office resources as per UNFPA policies and procedures.
- Coach and supervise national professional and support staff as assigned, providing them with managerial direction and motivation; oversee staff performance and advise on development needs.
- In collaboration with the relevant staff, undertake capacity building among UNFPA staff and counterparts on programme and financial management, and advocacy towards the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or other related discipline.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities, including programme designing, appraisal, and management.
- Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
- Experience in gender, health or population and development programming in development and/or humanitarian settings.
- Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to foster engaged partnerships at a high level of representation and to maintain political partnerships.
Languages:
Fluency in English and Tok Pisin
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-orientated 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 results mobilization
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
- Providing strategic focus,
- Engaging with 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. 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.
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