Technical Specialist, (Adolescents and Youth), Suva, Fiji, Pacific and Sub-Regional Office, P-4

The Position:

The Technical Adviser (Adolescents and Youth) post is located in the Pacific Sub-Regional Office and reports directly to the Director and Representative who provides overall leadership and receives inputs from the Technical Adviser on the overall programme strategy. 

S/He is part of an interdisciplinary team of Technical Advisers working in thematic areas which provides integrated programme and technical support within a systems strengthening approach fundamental to UNFPA’s overall strategy, in line with the efforts of the Joint Pacific UN Country Team.

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 new strategic plan (2018-2021), 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 who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Technical Adviser (Adolescents and Youth) coordinates, manages and provides quality, timely and integrated technical assistance, policy and programme support and guidance on Adolescents and Youth including strengthening national capacity for integrated ASRH programing and CSE/FLE for in-school and out-of-school youth.  The Advisor will also have a leadership role in coordinating the UN Pacific Youth working group.

S/He provides thought leadership and expertise designed to ensure that sub regional office programmes are implemented in the context of ICPD Programme of Action and UNFPA Strategic Plan as well as national development processes, the 2030 SDG agenda and UN reform. 

The position is expected to focus on engaging the political and technical arms of Pacific Island countries and territories, intergovernmental, sub-regional organizations, academic and research institutions, relevant NGOs and international development agencies to get Youth engagement, ASRH, FLE/CSE, and related issues into their policy focus, decisions, programmes and creating visibility for UNFPA within the context of national development strategies. 

The functions of the position on these issues will also extend to the development, delivery and reporting of the multi-country programme working with national Governments and NGOs/CSOs in the context of the enhanced but supportive role that PSRO is expected to assume.

The primary activities of the Technical Adviser (Adolescents & Youth) are:

A. Technical Advice to Policy and Programme Development and Implementation

B. Capacity Development 

C. Evidence and Knowledge Management 

D. Programme Management Support

E. Resource Mobilization

Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience

Education:  

An Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Social Sciences or an equivalent professional qualification in a related field;

In addition to the advanced degree, a post graduate certification/training in Youth Development, Gender and/or HIV and AIDS is desirable. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

 Minimum of seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in management and development of programmes relevant to sexual and reproductive health, Youth, Adolescents, ASRH, CSE/FLE, HIV/AIDS, gender, population and development, including three years at the international level;

 Demonstrated programme expertise in the substantive area of work with field experience;

 Proven track record of performance and ability to produce demonstrable results;

 Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System;

 Demonstrated ability to network within the academic and development community;

 Familiarity with management and monitoring tools is desirable;

 Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) in English Language and in the relevant UN working language in the region;

 Familiarity with UN development programmes and working procedures especially UNFPA policies and programming procedures is an asset.

 Computer Skills:  Proficiency in MS Office packages, database and the internet.

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.