Mission and objectives

UNFPA works to improve the lives of people in more than 150 countries around the world, which are home to 80 percent of the world's population. In Latin America and the Caribbean region and sub-region, UNFPA has offices in 30 countries. UNFPAs Regional Office in Panama City, Panama provides strategic support and technical advice to the Country Offices: technical cooperation, training and support to empower our partners and colleagues on the ground to ensure that the reproductive health and rights of women and young people are placed at the very centre of development.

Context

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA Supports: ● Reproductive health care for women and youth in more than 150 countries – which are home to more than 80 per cent of the world’s population ● The health of pregnant women, especially the 1 million who face life-threatening complications each month ● Reliable access to modern contraceptives sufficient to benefit 20 million women a year ● Training of thousands of health workers to help ensure at least 90 per cent of all childbirths are supervised by skilled attendants ● Prevention of gender- based violence, which affects 1 in 3 women ● Abandonment of female genital mutilation, which harms 3 million girls annually ● Prevention of teen pregnancies, complications of which are the leading cause of death for girls 15-19 years old ● Efforts to end child marriage, which could affect an estimated 70 million girls over the next 5 years. ● Delivery of safe birth supplies, dignity kits and other life-saving materials to survivors of conflict and natural disaster ● Censuses, data collection and analyses, which are essential for development planning UNFPA is formally named the United Nations Population Fund. The organization was created in 1969, the same year the United Nations General Assembly declared “parents have them exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.” UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services – including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education. Since UNFPA started its work, the world has seen progress: The number and rate of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than ever before. But too many are still left behind. More than 760 million people are mired in extreme poverty. Sexual and reproductive health problems are a leading cause of death and disability for women in the developing world. Young people bear the highest risks of HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. Many millions of girls face the prospect of child marriage and other harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Much more needs to be done to ensure a world in which all individuals can exercise their basic human rights, including those that relate to the most intimate and fundamental aspects of life. In 2018, UNFPA launched efforts to achieve three transformative results, ambitions that promise to change the world for every man, woman and young person: Ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal death, ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. Under the direct supervision of the Regional External Engagement Specialist, the individual - located in UNFPA’s Latin America and the Caribbean regional office - will support the implementation of the Regional Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Strategy, and contribute to resource mobilization and partnership opportunities across the region by providing technical, administrative and programme support to UNFPA Regional and Country Offices.

Task Description

The International UN Volunteer Associate will: ● Conduct donor research and market analysis to support resource mobilization strategies at Regional, Subregional, and Country Office levels. ● Map and analyze current and potential partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the private sector, multilateral banks, and humanitarian organizations. ● Produce competitive landscape analyses and ensure effective use of UNFPA corporate and regional platforms. ● Generate donor intelligence to build and strengthen strategic partnerships. ● Analyze internal resource mobilization data and external market trends to produce reports and insights that support decision-making. ● Monitor Country Office resource mobilization targets, keep indicators updated, and alert offices on gaps to support timely action. ● Track funding and financing trends in the LAC region to identify new opportunities. ● Conduct strategic analysis of Official Development Assistance (ODA) trends and geopolitical shifts, preparing briefs for senior management. ● Support Regional and Country Offices in developing donor pipelines and preparing funding proposals to improve positioning and success rates. ● Provide technical support to strengthen proposal development and partner engagement. ● Maintain and implement a knowledge management and capacity-building strategy for Regional and Country Offices. ● Establish and support a Community of Practice to strengthen skills in donor intelligence, negotiation, and value proposition development. ● Contribute to UNFPA’s external engagement efforts in line with its mandate and partnership strategy.

Competencies and values

● Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system ● Embracing diversity in all its forms ● Embracing change Core Competencies: ● Commitment to UNFPA's Values and Guiding Principles; ● Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management; ● Teamwork /Communication/Self-Management ● Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making; Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning Functional Competencies: ● Resource mobilization (fundraising) experience within the UN system or broader international development ● Promoting visibility for the organization ● Ability to communicate and engage different audiences ● Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships; makes effective use of UNFPA’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen alliances ● Innovation and marketing of new approaches ● Cultural understanding of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region ● Organizational awareness ● Job knowledge/technical expertise.

Living conditions and remarks

Panama is a family duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes as well as department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants. There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that are said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria. The Centers for Disease Control website also recommends yellow fever vaccination for travel to Darien province and the San Blas islands. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70%. Average cost of living: USD1,120. Currency: Panama Balboa; pegged 1:1 with the US dollar. Internet: High-speed internet is readily available in cities like Panama City, Colon, and David. In remote areas, you'll find DSL, cable, or satellite internet. Panama is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. https://www.unv.org/