Special Assistant to Director, Programme Division (PD), P3, Nairobi, Kenya

The Position:

The Special Assistant reports to the Director of the Programme Division, assisting them to carry out their Division level responsibilities. They provide the Director with support across operational, planning, managerial, technical and coordination aspects of the work of the Division. The Special Assistant will provide day-to-day operational support to the Director acting as an interface with all units within and outside the Division, strongly supporting coordination and collaboration, within the Division’s overall integrated, and systems strengthening approach.
 

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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

You would be responsible for:

A. Planning and Management Support

• Provide backstopping support for all planning and management functions of the Office of the Director
• Analyze and appraise incoming documents, and advise on actions required
• Draft statements, talking points, briefing notes and correspondence; prepare background papers and briefing documents; draft substantive content for presentations
• Maintain communication with the Branches and other Divisions and offices of the Fund, and with partners including the UN system, to obtain relevant information and provide feedback and follow-up for the Director
• Coordinate the Division’s inputs to the annual and other reports

B. Technical Support

• Prepare substantive analyses and summaries of reports and documents requiring the Director’s review, comment, clearance and approval
• Undertake literature reviews and desk research on substantive and management issues
• Coordinate the preparation of and/or draft position papers, technical reports and other documents required by the Director
• Undertake bibliographic searches, and prepare analyses from databases

C. Support for Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor the implementation of tasks assigned by the Director
• Assist the Director on specific tasks in monitoring and follow-up on the Division’s Office Management Plan. 

D. Support for Coordination

• Coordinate and facilitate the Director’s participation in key corporate initiatives; 
• Coordinate, schedule, and ensure a record of decisions and actions Divisional and other meetings chaired by the Director, and follow-up on actions required as a result of these;
• Facilitate the Director’s coordination work with Regional Offices; -
• Assist the Director in coordinating the sharing of relevant information within the Division; 
• Participate in Divisional and inter-Divisional task forces, working groups, and coordination meetings as appropriate; 
• Facilitate collaboration and coordination between Branches of the Programme Division

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Director of the Programme Division

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• An advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public policy, international affairs, global health, or any other area of study relevant to UNFPA’s mandate is required. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in civil service, international affairs, global health, or any other area relevant to UNFPA’s mandate is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven ability to express oneself well.
• Strong interpersonal, coordination and facilitation skills.
• Proven initiative, sound judgment, and exceptional organizational and analytical skills, with a strong commitment to development work, particularly the mission of UNFPA.
• Experience within the UN system.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English is required; Fluency in another UN language, particularly French or Spanish, 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,

Functional Competencies:

• Business acumen
• Basic project management  
• Implementation and use of management systems 
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Client orientation
• Organizational awareness
• Systems thinking
• Sound judgment
• Technical expertise in any of UNFPA’s substantive issues  

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus 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.

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.