NATIONAL POST: Field Programme Coordinator (NO-C), Bentiu, South Sudan

The Position:

The Field Programme Coordinator post is located in the Bentiu, Unity State, Republic of South Sudan. S/He forms part of Country Office   efforts to strengthen the Humanitarian Peace Development Nexus (HPDN) work and will provide oversight on both Development and Humanitarian Programmes.

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:

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Deputy Representative, the Field Programme Coordinator plays a leadership role with the programme team in the UNFPA Bentiu Field office.  S/He ensures results based management of the programme and projects in the Bentiu field office and will provide oversight for all activities in the State. S/He champions programme and operation integration at the field office, carries out research and data collection and facilitates the conduct of policy advocacy with the support of the UNFPA CO in Juba in the area of coverage.  S/He also establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues and to facilitate programme delivery within the area of coverage of the Bentiu Field office.

S/He will work closely with the relevant CO focal points to ensure strengthened capacity and improved delivery of RH and GBV services to vulnerable groups among the conflict-affected population, host communities, returnees, refugees and the entire community within the region 

You would be responsible for:

The scope of the activities listed below may vary depending on the length of assignment and phase of the crisis. 

Programme Development and Implementation

• Promoting a results-based approach, integrating innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of sub-programmes and projects. You will ensure programmes are responsive to the State’s needs in areas of UNFPA’s strategic priorities.
• Facilitating the achievement of programme results by identifying, providing and coordinating inputs into programme development and implementation, ensuring programme monitoring and oversight, and coordinating and evaluating the inputs of consultants and technical experts.
• In collaboration with the country office humanitarian response team, plans, implements, monitors and reports UNFPA’s programme response in the area of emergency RH and GBV;
• Promoting knowledge sharing and continuous learning including testing, evaluating and documenting innovative strategies and best practices internal and external to UNFPA, and integrating these as appropriate
• Undertaking regular monitoring and evaluation of RH and GBV interventions in the geographic space covered by the field office.

Coordination, Assessments, planning and response 

• Ensure inclusion of RH, GBV, and gender concerns in joint assessment missions and other rapid assessments.
• Leading joint planning at the field level for UNFPA partners and other stakeholders and holding state-specific meetings as part of the development of work plans. 
• Participating in interagency assessments to identify gaps and make proposals to improve RH and GBV service delivery.
• Attending and actively participating in the coordination of all RH and GBV stakeholders at the field level as needed through effective coordination mechanism and Working Groups.
• Mapping partners in the field and arranging for meetings and have a profile of coverage area, to be updated regularly as the situation requires.
• Collecting, analyzing and provide feedback on RH and GBV data to implementing partners and CO.
• Support facilitative supervision and monitoring of UNFPA supported programmes implemented within their geographic space. 

Communication/ Reporting/Advocacy Resource Mobilization and partnership 

• With the support of the UNFPA CO, conduct policy dialogue in the states covered by the Bentiu sub-office with Government, UN and other development partners to incorporate UNFPA’s priorities and agenda into local government plans and strategies, and UN systems, initiatives and development frameworks.
• Translating the UNFPA global strategic plan and country programme into State-specific advocacy strategies. This includes creating and delivering evidence-based advocacy messages to promote UNFPA’s programme goals, taking into account political and social sensitivities.
• Represent UNFPA’s mandate within the UN in the region; ensure inclusion of ICPD issues joint programmes within the geographic area
• Identifying local champions to propagate and stimulate dialogue on UNFPA mandate issues in the different locations.
• Conducting quarterly briefings to the local leadership on UNFPA implementation of activities and keeping clear and regular communication with the governments in the coverage areas.
• Facilitating and liaison to improve services delivery and information, and improve the visibility of UNFPA in humanitarian and development work.
• Advocating within Inter Cluster Working Group, local government authorities and other decision makers for prioritization of SRH and GBV prevention and response as life-saving issues.
• Regularly monitoring and preparing reports on the proper and effective usage of the commodities and supplies received through UNFPA.
• Maintains a continuous flow of information with government and donors and pursues innovative ways to maintain and create new partnerships; 
• Participates in the UN system joint initiatives in the Greater Nile region and takes a leading role in provision of technical and programme advice to the selected thematic groups as relevant; 
• Contributes to the resource mobilization strategy of the UNFPA CO by analyzing information on potential donors, and preparing substantive briefs and project proposals in line with donor priorities. 

Capacity Development

• Provides day-to-day technical support to the implementing partners, which include the government, civil societies and academic institutions in the thematic areas of population development, reproductive health, and gender;
• In the context of the UNFPA supported Country Programme, recommends areas of population assistance on the basis of continuous review and analysis of demographic and socio-economic data and national population policies;
• Creates knowledge by evaluating on-going programmes and projects, documents lessons learned, best practices and replicable strategies and actively shares and applies this knowledge; 
• Support training and mentorship of humanitarian actors in locations, including other national and international GBV actors, protection actors in GBV prevention and response in emergencies 
• Contributing to the production of IEC materials including the quarterly bulletin, and support capacity building (formal/ informal with supportive supervision) of Health services providers, including TOT and trainee’s training on needs and gaps areas.
• Carrying out representational duties as may be assigned by the UNFPA Representative as well as any other duties required by UNFPA leadership. 

Resource Management

• Supports the Representative in the management of UNFPA human and financial resources in the Malakal sub office, with particular attention to ensuring systems of accountability as per UNFPA policies, rules and procedures;
• Implements and monitors the UNFPA accountability framework for the National Execution of the UNFPA country programme; 
• Supervises programme and administrative staff, providing them with managerial direction and motivation;
• Develops and guides an integrated and systems approach to the work of the Malakal office;
• Communicates standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Office Strategic Information System (SIS) and the PAD system;
• Establishes and maintains a harmonious working environment and seeks to strengthen team-building by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels.
• Support the staff safety by driving compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards (MORSS)

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

A master’s degree in Reproductive health, public health, Gender studies, International relations, social sciences or related qualifications.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in developmental work
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender programming;
• Strong results based management skills;
• Greater familiarity of programme quality assurance mechanisms and risk management;
• Relevant field experience in responding to disasters;
• Experience in UN joint programming process;
• Proven strong coordination skills;
• Strong communications and writing skills in English;
• Field experience is a strong asset;
• Proficiency in current office software applications;
• Willingness to work in a high security risk environment.

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of local language(s) is desirable. 

Required Competencies: 

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,

Functional Competencies:             

• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programme
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

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.