The Position:
The incumbent will work in the ICPD30 Secretariat, under the overall guidance of the Executive Coordinator and working in close collaboration with the Intergovernmental Interagency and Policy Dialogue Branch, Policy and Strategy Division (IIPDB/PSD), the Technical Division (TD), the Division of Communications and Strategic Partnerships (DCS) and UNFPA Regional Offices (ROs).
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:
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark ICPD Programme of Action adopted in Cairo, Egypt in 1994. Since 1994, we have seen significant improvements in poverty reduction and food security. Maternal death has declined by around 40 per cent. We have witnessed increases in life expectancy and expanded access to primary education for both boys and girls. In addition, girls and adolescents today are less likely to face child marriage and female genital mutilation.
As UNFPA takes stock of progress, however, it is clear that the international community is still far from where it needs to be. The socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, climate change, disasters, economic instability, food insecurity and high prices, together with geopolitical tensions, risk reversing the hard-earned normative gains of the past and are challenging their legitimacy.
At the recent 55th session of the Commission on Population and Development in April, the Commission took the decision to officially launch the ICPD30 preparation process, and agreed to dedicate its 57th session to assess the status of the ICPD implementation. The reviews at the national and regional levels will begin later this year. Further, Member States will consider convening a UN General Assembly commemorative event to mark the anniversary in 2024. Taking into account the operating environment and the momentum generated by the Nairobi Summit, there are opportunities to frame the ICPD30 review around the following three overarching objectives:
a. Appreciation/celebration of 30 years of ICPD
b. Reducing tension/polarization on core ICPD issues and building back normative legitimacy
c. Pre-positioning for post-2030 agenda
The secretariat of ICPD30, led by its Executive Coordinator acts as a time-bounded governance mechanism, working under the overall guidance of the DED-P and supervised on a daily basis by the Director of PSD, towards coordinating UNFPA’s response and processes related to the ICPD PoA 30th anniversary in 2024. The Secretariat has overall responsibility in aligning internally and externally the actions needed to culminate on a set of activities aimed at achieving the three corporate objectives.
Within this context, the Communication Specialist will support the Executive Coordinator in the coordination of the process, ensuring continuous collaboration with all UNFPA business units, including ROs and COs and stakeholders of the ICPD30 review process.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree in Communication, Social Sciences, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related field. Training and experience in management is desirable.
Knowledge and Experience:
- 5 years progressively responsible experience in UN and ICPD related processes and programmes. In addition: strong track record of similar processes, and ability to produce demonstrable results, especially in international initiatives;
- Effective at consensus-building and communicating cross-functionally with external and internal audiences;
- Broad knowledge of best communication practices; experience in crafting plans, work flows and institutional positions;
- Substantive knowledge on, understanding of, and practical experience in communication and advocacy strategies;
- Knowledge of substantive areas of UNFPA’s work;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as proven experience in communication, editing and reporting;
- Ability to be action-oriented and meet high standards of integrity;
- Demonstrated analytical-thinking and problem-solving experience;
- Experience in programme and/or technical assistance and managing programs with the UN System.
Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, liaison skills, management skills, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
