United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Is Currently Hiring A Deputy Representative APPLY NOW
Background
The United Nations Population Fund, formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, is a UN agency aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health worldwide.
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About UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations agency focused on sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics. It was established in 1969 and operates in more than 150 countries around the world.
Mandate and Goals:
UNFPA’s mandate is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Its goals include:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health: UNFPA works to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, maternal health care, and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. It advocates for reproductive rights and addresses gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Population and Development: UNFPA supports countries in analyzing population dynamics, including population growth, age structure, and migration, to inform policies and programs for sustainable development. It promotes investments in education, health care, and employment opportunities to harness the demographic dividend.
- Gender Equality: UNFPA advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment, addressing gender-based discrimination and violence. It promotes women’s rights, including access to education, economic opportunities, and participation in decision-making processes.
- Data and Evidence: UNFPA collects and analyzes data on population dynamics, reproductive health, and gender equality to inform policies and programs. It supports countries in strengthening their data collection systems and using evidence for effective decision-making.
Approach and Programs:
UNFPA takes a rights-based and inclusive approach to its work. It collaborates with governments, civil society organizations, and other partners to implement programs that address the needs of marginalized populations, including women and girls, adolescents, and refugees.
Some of UNFPA’s key program areas include:
- Maternal Health: UNFPA supports countries in improving access to quality maternal health care services, including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and emergency obstetric care.
- Family Planning: UNFPA works to expand access to a range of contraceptive options, promote family planning education, and ensure reproductive rights and choices for individuals and couples.
- Youth Empowerment: UNFPA advocates for the rights and well-being of young people, supporting comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly health services, and opportunities for education, employment, and participation.
- Gender-Based Violence: UNFPA supports efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including providing support services to survivors, promoting legal reforms, and engaging men and boys as allies in addressing gender inequality.
- Humanitarian Response: UNFPA plays a critical role in providing sexual and reproductive health services, including maternal care, family planning, and gender-based violence response, in humanitarian settings and during emergencies.
UNFPA works in close collaboration with other UN agencies, governments, civil society organizations, and donors to advance its goals and promote sustainable development, health, and rights for all.
Why work at UNFPA
Working at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) offers several compelling reasons for individuals passionate about sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics. Here are some key reasons why people choose to work at UNFPA:
- Meaningful Impact: UNFPA’s work directly contributes to improving the lives of individuals and communities by advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Working at UNFPA provides an opportunity to make a tangible and lasting impact on issues such as maternal health, family planning, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
- Global Reach and Influence: UNFPA operates in more than 150 countries and territories, providing an extensive platform to work on diverse issues and engage with partners and stakeholders worldwide. Working at UNFPA allows individuals to contribute to global efforts and shape policies and programs that address pressing challenges at both national and international levels.
- Human Rights and Gender Equality: UNFPA is committed to promoting human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. Working at UNFPA provides an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of gender equality, address gender-based violence, and advocate for reproductive rights and choices.
- Holistic Approach: UNFPA takes a comprehensive and integrated approach to its work, recognizing the interconnectedness of sexual and reproductive health, population dynamics, and sustainable development. Working at UNFPA allows individuals to tackle complex issues from a holistic perspective and collaborate across sectors and disciplines.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: UNFPA works in partnership with governments, civil society organizations, academia, and other UN agencies. Working at UNFPA provides opportunities to collaborate with experts from diverse fields, build networks, and foster innovative solutions through collective action.
- Professional Development: UNFPA is committed to the professional growth and development of its staff. It offers a range of training opportunities, knowledge-sharing platforms, and career advancement prospects. Working at UNFPA allows individuals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise in areas related to sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics.
- Inclusive and Diverse Work Environment: UNFPA values diversity and inclusivity in its workforce. It fosters an inclusive work environment that welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Working at UNFPA provides an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who bring different experiences and expertise to the table.
- Work-Life Balance and Benefits: UNFPA recognizes the importance of work-life balance and offers competitive compensation packages, including health insurance, pension plans, and leave entitlements. It promotes a flexible and supportive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
These factors, among others, make UNFPA an attractive organization for individuals committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and sustainable development. Working at UNFPA allows individuals to contribute to meaningful change, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and advocate for the rights and well-being of people around the world.
Job Purpose:
In close collaboration with the UNFPA Representative, the UNFPA Deputy Representative plays a leading role in strengthening the Country’s capacity to implement the ICPD Programme of Action within the context of its national development efforts to achieve the SDGs, thus ensuring national ownership. S/He is primarily responsible for the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA Country programme, projecting the programme of the organization, promoting at the national and sub-national levels the goals of the programme and ensuring the integration of issues of population, sexual and reproductive health, and gender in the broader development and humanitarian agenda. The Deputy Representative plays a leadership role also within the UNFPA country team, providing an example of creative programme development and sharing knowledge and insights with staff to facilitate broad country programme management. Key activities include:
- Programme Leadership, within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus framework
- National Capacity Development
- Partnerships and Advocacy
- Resource mobilization and resource management
The Deputy Representative serves as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the UNFPA Representative; s/he serves on the Country Management Team with other senior staff in programme and operations management. She/he serves on the UN Programme Management Team (PMT) and oversees the participation of programme/technical staff in relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) structures. In addition, she/he and the Humanitarian Programme Coordinator advise the Country Management Team on programme criticality.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
Education:
Master’s degree/ Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or another related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
- At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities, including programme designing, appraising and management.
- Experience in humanitarian response programming is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
- Proven ability to lead and manage large multi-cultural teams to achieve demonstrable results.
- Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing in English to foster engaged partnerships at a high level of representation and to maintain political partnerships in the assigned Country.
- Strong interest in the development, humanitarian and peace response work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations; and,
- Field experience is a strong asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.
Computer Skills:
Proficiency in current office software applications.
