NATIONAL POST: Head of Office, Bangkok, Thailand, NOD (RE-ADVERTISEMENT)

The Position:

The Head of Office leads a country team in implementing the Government-UNFPA country programme of cooperation. Reporting to the non-resident Country Director, who provides overall vision and strategic guidance, the Head of Office ensures transformative and relevant results in realizing ICPD PoA and contributing to Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Head of Office has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator (RC) on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other inter-agency agreements of the UNCT. 

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 (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and to end gender-based violence and harmful practices. The Head of Office is a principled leader with high ethical standards, who promotes and defends human rights in line with international norms and standards.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Office is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of UNFPA activities, and acts under delegated authority from the non-resident Country Director who maintains an overall accountability for the achievement of UNFPA strategic results in the country. S/he actively supports the RC/UNCT and strategically positions UNFPA’s work within the context of the UNSDCF development and implementation, which should inform the UNCT activities and composition, and the specific focus of UNFPA country programme. S/he is responsible for establishing a dialogue, promoting partnerships and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, UN system, multi/bilateral agencies, civil society, private-sector and other stakeholders in the country to develop and implement programmes that respond to national priorities and efforts to advance the ICPD Programme of Action and in support of the SDGs achievement. The Head of Office manages a team of technical, programme and operations personnel supporting country programme implementation, managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of high-quality results. S/he is accountable for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory, and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel. 

Main Tasks & Responsibilities: 

A- Programme leadership, planning and management

• Conducting policy dialogue with Government, UN System and other development partners to incorporate UNFPA’s priorities and agenda into national plans and strategies, UNSDCF and other joint initiatives and development frameworks;
• Translating global agreements into country-specific advocacy strategies to promote the national plans. This includes creating and delivering evidence-based advocacy messages to promote UNFPA’s programme goals, taking into account political and social sensitivity.
• Ensuring application of Results Based Management principles in all phases of country programme development and implementation, integrating innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of country programme, sub-programmes and projects.
• Identifying, providing and coordinating inputs into programme development and implementation, ensuring programme monitoring and oversight, and coordinating and evaluating the inputs of technical experts.
• Promoting knowledge sharing and continuous learning. This includes testing, evaluating and documenting innovative strategies and best practices inside and outside UNFPA and replicating and embedding these as appropriate. (ie SDG accreditation / 2030 Agenda mandatory learning objectives) 
• Coordinating the development and implementation of UNFPA's humanitarian and preparedness actions/efforts in-country

B- External relationships and resource mobilization

• Representing UNFPA at technical level meetings and high-level meetings under delegated authority from UNFPA non-resident Country Director and in consultation with the UN RC;
• Managing strategic partnerships with key national and international in-country stakeholders in advancing the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s mandate
• Leading resource mobilisation efforts by identifying potential donors, preparing proposals including outlining co-financing resources for support to the country programme, and supporting the government and other agencies in coordinating assistance for programmes. 

C- Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team

• Actively supporting the RC within the context of the UNSDCF results framework, including in policy and technical support as appropriate and within available means to achieve agreed UNCT results.
• Ensuring that the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s transformative results are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF development planning and agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the SDGs;
• Representing UNFPA at UNCT and Security Management Team (SMT) in accordance with the UNCT working arrangements, unless non-resident Country Director is in-country.
• Participating in the Common Assessment (CA) and UNSDCF planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, including through chairing/co-chairing the UNSDCF and other inter-agency results/theme groups at the country level.
• Supporting the RC in coordinated resource mobilization efforts for joint UN efforts.
• Participating in RC and UNCT members’ performance appraisal. 

D- Leading and managing the country team

• Under the overall guidance of the non-resident Country Director, managing country team staff; foster motivation, empowerment, learning and career management. Attract and retain the highest calibre of staff for the Country Office
• Setting standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Office Strategic Information System
• Managing resources entrusted to you through delegation of authority, to ensure effective achievement of results, maximum value for money, and achievement of efficiencies in programme and operations delivery
• Ensuring that the Country Office complies with UNFPA policies and procedures, corporate requirements and audit recommendations, including related financial and programme monitoring systems
• Ensuring the safety, security and of UN Security Management System (UNSMS) and UNFPA Security Accountability Policies and procedures.
• Ensuring a work environment free from harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority.
• Ensure that all programme beneficiaries are protected against sexual abuse and exploitation committed by any actor affiliated with UNFPA in any way, and that they are informed of reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse and exploitation. Ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken in response to any such reports, in line with corporate requirements and standards.
• Actively participate in Security Management Team (SMT) meetings, ensure UNFPA’s safety and security concerns are adequately addressed in local security management system.
• Ensure the safety and security of personnel and their eligible dependents in compliance with established UNSMS and UNFPA security policies and processes.
• Ensure that the CO has a functional Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
• Ensuring the effective daily functioning of the Country Office. 

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

Advanced university university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender Studies, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of international development, preferably in the area of population and/or Reproductive Health, including programme design, and management.
• Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to represent the organization and foster high-level strategic partnerships.
• Experience in high-level advocacy and policy dialogue, as well as, Resource Mobilization and Partnership development
• Ability to effectively influence partners to engage with UNFPA’s mandate.
• Interest in leading change in achieving national results towards the ICPD PoA and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Thai is required.