The Position

The Representative leads complex business units and country offices’ teams in the design and implementation of population and development and sexual and reproductive health country programmes in humanitarian-development-peace and security nexus contexts. Through alliances and partnerships with governments, UN and bilateral agencies, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector, the programme aims to realize the 2030 Agenda in order to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people; especially those furthest behind.

How you can make a difference

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose

Under the guidance of the Regional Director, you will lead the Country team in the development and management of innovative Country Programmes of Cooperation focused on population and development and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal health, family planning, gender, and adolescent and youth empowerment.

You are accountable for the effective implementation of the Country Programmes, playing the lead role in promoting the mandate of the organization, and ensuring the integration of issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the broader national development agenda. Through engagement with national counterparts, UN Country Teams, compelling advocacy, and delivery of effective programmes, including in emergency settings, you serve on the frontline of the organization, validating both the mandate of the organization and its ability to deliver high quality support and results. Your ultimate accountability is to the people that you serve; the most vulnerable, excluded, or marginalized and for the causes that you serve; human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian relief.

You would be responsible for

1. Strategic direction, planning and management
   • Lead the positioning of UNFPA on strategic issues related to the ICPD Agenda on the basis of global, regional and national policies and strategies,
   • Build institutional relationships with government counterparts, civil society, the private sector, the UN community, other international/national organizations, academia and bilaterals that galvanize support for UNFPA’s mandate
   • Promote UNFPA’s role in national development agendas, and in the changing national development environment, and consequently establish priorities for the Country Offices in line with national, regional and global UNFPA corporate priorities,
   • Ensure policies, programming tools, state-of-the-art knowledge and sound business practices are incorporated into UNFPA country programme delivery,
   • Lead and coordinate the development of strategic plans for UNFPA’s humanitarian and preparedness actions in-country as may be applicable
2. Management of resources
   • Manage international and national staff, providing them with strategic direction and motivation; fostering empowerment, learning and career management
   • Demonstrate transparent leadership and undertake effective performance management approaches that support a culture of growth and development, 
   • Facilitate UNFPA’s ability to attract and retain expertise and talent tailored to the Country programme in response to national priorities,
   • Set standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Offices Strategic Information Systems
   • Drive the formulation and implementation of  comprehensive resource mobilization and partnership strategies including donor relations and effective mobilisation of funds; securing and efficiently using mobilised funds and assigned budget allocations for the country programmes
   • Ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of staff by driving compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards (MORSS)
3. Programme leadership and representation
   • Guided by prevailing national landscape, provide UNFPA senior management with relevant advice to guide UNFPA country programming within the broader UN system,
   • Provide leadership in the development and execution of the organization’s country level policy dialogue and programme, including delivery of technical assistance for capacity development and for humanitarian situations
   • Engage national counterparts through effective advocacy on UNFPA’s agenda; build support for programme objectives and create awareness of the role of ICPD issues in the overall development agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
   • Represent UNFPA within the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and the UN Humanitarian Teams where applicable; support the UN Resident Coordinators (RCs), promote integration of population and development, and sexual and reproductive health issues in the humanitarian, development and peace agenda;
   • Drive UNFPA accountability for the UN Flash Appeal/ Humanitarian Response plans and contribute actively to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) results, including through chairing/co- chairing UN Results Groups;
   • Initiate programme and technical support opportunities for South to South collaboration with other countries.
4. Programme oversight and coordination
   • Drive the application of results-based management and quality assurance frameworks for the work of the Country Offices;
   • Enforce financial and monitoring processes to ensure the Country Offices comply with UNFPA policies and procedures, corporate requirements and audit recommendations;

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Regional Director.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

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

Knowledge and Experience:

• 15 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration and international development of which at least 10years in the field of population and development, sexual and reproductive health or humanitarian at the international level;
• Current knowledge of issues of population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and their place in the development and humanitarian agenda;
• Proven ability to lead teams to achieve demonstrable and high quality results
• Experience at national and international level in advocacy and policy dialogue
• Experience in media/communication with partners, and public information
• Experience in international development, particularly in the mandate of UNFPA and dedication to the principles of the United Nations;
• Field experience is essential; experience from a developing, humanitarian or crisis context is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN Language is Desirable

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,
• Communicating for impact

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

UN Leadership Characteristics:

• Norm-based - grounded in UN norms and standards
• Principled - defends norms and standards without discrimination, fear or favour
• Inclusive of all personnel and stakeholders
• Accountable
• Multi-dimensional
• Transformational
• Collaborative
• Self-applied - modelled in our own behaviour

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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: https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion

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.