Population and Development Specialist, NOC, Abidjan-Cote d'Ivoire

The Position:
In 2014 UN Member States including Cote d'Ivoire re-affirmed that the Programme of Action from the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) is an "unfinished agenda" that is still relevant to all countries, and Member States expressed their full commitment to carrying forward the ICPD POA. The new Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030, adopted in September 2015 by all Member States, calls for a people-centered development approach, a life of dignity for all, leaving no one behind. This requires at the Country level policies and actions that are informed by a systematic analysis of population dynamics and its implications.

The National Programme Officer (NPO) Population and Development (P&D) will lead the Population, Data and Research Unit of UNFPA Cote d'Ivoire, to formulate UNFPA's contributions toward advancing ICPD and Agenda 2030 in the country, particularly focusing on accelerating implementation of the Government National development Plan incorporating population issues into national, sectoral and local development planning, budgeting, financing, monitoring, and results reporting. The NPO P&D gathers evidence and informs evidence-based planning, monitoring and evaluation of UNFPA programme of Assistance in Cote d'Ivoire. Together with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and the Advocacy and Communications units, the Population, Data and Research Unit  constitute the backbone of programme management, knowledge management and advocacy based on proved data and results.

You will be under the overall strategic guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative.

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. The current 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 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 commit to excellence in achieving the objectives of the programme.

Job Purpose:

Ensure Substantive technical advice on population issues to country office (CO), government, intergovernmental bodies, and UN for the capture of Demographic Dividend, through demographics analysis and projections including on the megatrends, building internal and external capacity on population based data collection (censuses, DD, SDG monitoring and reporting, Monitor of Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development, the ICPD+30 and all ICPD Reviews) and effective coordination and participation in SDG’s consultations (summit of the future).

You would be responsible for:

A. Programme and technical leadership

• 
  Generate, analyze and disseminate data including in humanitarian context to inform programme design, implementation and evaluation;
• Ensure regular and timely population-related situation analysis, an integrated appraisal of population dynamics and impact on poverty, inequality and development in Cote d'Ivoire;
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership in the development of key population-related thinking and policy documents, including fact sheets, policy briefs, and white papers. 
• Ensure coherence and synergy among different interventions/initiatives; Identify capacity gaps among key ICPD partners and facilitate capacity building and policy dialogue;
• Work closely with relevant national entities and provide technical support to the Ministry of Plan and Development and the National Statistics Office to ensure ready availability of accurate, user-friendly, disaggregated data; this includes facilitating and advising on quality key surveys such as the Population and housing censuses and other socio-demographic surveys;
• Establish clear links between investments in sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, education, young people and the reduction of poverty and reaping the demographic dividend;
• Advocate with key partners, especially Government entities, for the use of population data and related analytical documents for key decision making and budgeting;
• Ensure that technical knowledge is updated, generated, and disseminated for effective technical, capacity building and policy dialogue

B. Research, evidence-based policy and advocacy

• Interpret, analyze and conceptualize the data/information generated through Censuses, DHS, VAW, MICS, Poverty and income, labor and other relevant national surveys to draw concrete policy options and recommendations for UNFPA management for advocacy and evidence-based planning and budgeting.
• Engage in and facilitate effective policy dialogue of UNFPA senior management with policy-makers and parliamentarians for advancement of the ICPD agenda and the SDGs,
• Identify emerging issues and research needs to advance the ICPD specifically the conclusions of the ICPD+30 consultations, which are a key requirement for achieving the SDGs; 
• Anticipate and advise on impact of population dynamics in public policies and investments;
• Ensure the overall quality assurance of the researches commissioned and funded by UNFPA and be actively involved and provide inputs on other national population related and social surveys and research activities;
• Lead economic analysis including studies of national budgets, social protection and safety net measures such as national social security scheme, the universal health coverage, Investment cases, and others.

 

C. Partnership and coordination

• 
  Actively seek and maintain strategic partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including research institutions, think tanks, universities and Development Partners for technical cooperation, resource mobilization, advocacy, and knowledge sharing in the area of population planning and research, and Data for Development;
• Actively promote and facilitate communities of practice;
• Represent UNFPA Cote d'Ivoire in relevant technical meetings, workshops and conferences both national and international as required;
• In all activities, work as part of the inter-disciplinary CO team and provide high quality integrated technical, operational policy, programme and communications support to the CO management and other Programme units.

D. Supervision and performance management

• Lead the UNFPA P&D Programme and ensure high standard of staff management within the team using a participatory style;
• Supervise, mentor and coach the team members to strengthen or further develop their capacity. This includes the implementation of UNFPA performance management system for his/her direct reports;
• Ensures that regular team meetings take place and are recorded.

 

E. Undertake any other activities/responsibilities as assigned by the UNFPA Representative and Deputy Representative. The above are indicative activities.

• Candidate will carry out any necessary activities to achieve the three main results under A, B, C.

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Post-graduate degree in Population, Demography, Economics, Development Studies, Statistics and/or Other related social science field (preferably with research background).
 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in policy development in public, private or academic sector;
• Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;
• Demonstrated ability to network with the academic and research organizations, and ability to engage in high-level policy dialogue;
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge on population and development landscape in Cote d'Ivoire;
• 
  Proficiency in data interpretation, research methodology/design, and policy analysis; 
• Good understanding of human rights-based approach and results-based management of development programmes/projects and M&E;
• Proven organizational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines;
• Prior experience with UN system is an asset but not a requirement;
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills;
• ICT literate (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and other presentation software).
   

Languages: 

Fluency in written and spoken French and English
 

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:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• 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

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.