International Programme Specialist, ICS 10, Monrovia

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

Location: Liberia - Monrovia

Africa Regional Office

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative, the Programme Specialist develops and administers the UNFPA programme in Liberia, with a particular attention paid to the implementation of the UN Reform in the context of the Delivering as One, addressing gender issues and specifically focusing on the SGBV joint programme in which UNFPA is the lead agency The incumbent shall provide advice in all aspects of the Country Programme management and operations. His/her role will be to ensure a smooth functioning, well-managed and results oriented Country Programme and to facilitate programme implementation and delivery by providing for the operational needs of programmes/projects and annual work plans.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programme

Oversees the implementation of the Country Programme and develops new programme options and project models in substantive areas; expands the range of UNFPA deliverables and originates new project portfolios in UNFPA’s mandate area; recommends areas of population assistance on the basis of continuous review and analysis of demographic and socio-economic data and national population policies in the context of the formulation, implementation and monitoring of UNFPA supported Country Programme.

UN Reforms, Partnerships and Advocacy

Assists the UNFPA Country Office to build strategic partnerships to implement the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, within the context of the 2008-2012 United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Represents UNFPA and the UN in consultations with government, multilateral and bilateral partners, and civil society to support the implementation and monitoring of the UN Delivering as One initiative that responds to the strategies for growth and reduction of poverty and contributes to the achievement of national outcomes. Provides technical guidance to the UNFPA Country Office, and collaborates closely with the respective UN groups, such as Inter-Agency Programme Team (IAPT), the Operations Management Team, and the Resident Coordinator’s Office, as appropriate. Ensures wider government and UN ownership and promotion of the ICPD Programme of Action, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the Maputo Plan of Action. Provides UNFPA leadership in the UN joint programmes which UNFPA will be participating, ensuring that that gender mainstreaming and human rights are fully integrated into all programmes.

Management

Participates in the formulation of the annual work plans and monitors their day-to-day implementation through consultations, correspondence and field visits; supports and contributes in the strategic and effective management of the Programme with particular attention to technical and financial accountability and timely documentation, reporting and office adherence to corporate systems of accountability and programme management as per UNFPA policies, rules and procedures.

Results-Oriented Functional Statement

# Provides strategic and technical guidance to UNFPA and other UN staff to participate and, where appropriate, provide leadership in the UN thematic group activities and joint programmes with a particular focus on gender.
# Effectively support participatory and gender-responsive mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress towards national outcomes through the UNDAF, UNFPA Country Programme, the UN Joint Programmes and the PRS.
# Ensures increased UN capacity to address gender and human rights issues through developing, testing and validating results-based learning tools in these areas.
# Enhances government capacity to effectively and efficiently promote gender equality, including implementation of international agreements, national strategies and policies.
# Assesses technical assistance needs in population and development, reproductive health and gender issues and advises on the suitability of Programmes and projects to meet these needs.
# Addresses policy issues and provide substantive inputs to facilitate policy dialogue and the incorporation of these policies into national plans and strategies, UN systems initiatives and development frameworks ( UNDAF, PRSP, SWAPs, CAPs, MDGs)
# Provides substantive leadership and inputs into the design and formulation and review of programmes and projects translating UNFPA’s mandate and strategic priorities into local interventions, and responding to Government plans and priorities. Introduces into the project formulation process the results of programme and project reviews and evaluations, best practices, as well as innovative strategies, approaches and policies.
# Advises and reports on achievement of programme and project results, proactively measuring substantive progress and the effective utilization of financial and human project resources using appropriate monitoring and measuring mechanisms and tools. Leads programme and project implementation guiding and orienting executing agencies and project personnel introducing effective modalities and practices of implementation.
# Creates and documents knowledge by evaluating programmes, projects and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices and replicable strategies and approaches and actively shares and applies this knowledge. Creates mechanisms to collect and share knowledge.
# Analyzes population and development, reproductive health and gender issues in the country to provide substantive inputs to institutional responses and advocacy strategies taking into account political and social sensitivities. Takes opportunities to advocate and advance UNFPA’s policy agenda by participating in public information events.
# Contributes to the resource mobilization strategy by analyzing information on potential donors, preparing substantive briefs and project proposals in line with donor priorities, creating feedback mechanisms and providing information on progress of donor funded projects. Identifies opportunities for cost-sharing.
# Carries out capacity development for UNFPA and other UN staff on UN Reforms and joint programming processes, results-based management, gender, human rights and culture

CORE COMPETENCIES

# Values/Guiding Principles
# Performance Management
# Developing People/Coaching and Mentoring & Fostering Innovation and Empowerment
# Working in Teams
# Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence
# Communication
# Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making
# Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results
# Orientation/Commitment to Excellence
# Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

# Advocacy / advancing a policy oriented
# Results based programme development and
# Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners / building strategic alliances and partnerships
# Innovation and marketing of new approaches
# Resource mobilization ( Programme )
# Job knowledge / technical expertise

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

# Post Graduate degree in Population Studies, Demography, Public Health, Gender or related social sciences
# Five years of professional experience in planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UN programmes and projects.
# Substantive knowledge and programming experience in at least one area in the field of gender, population, sexual and reproductive health and rights is an important pre-requisite.
# Proven background and experience in promoting a gender-sensitive approach to development is essential.
# Practical knowledge and experience on the implementation of the UN Reforms.
# Fully proficient in computer-related applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and familiarity with ATLAS operations is an advantage.
# Familiarity with UNFPA development programmes and working methods as well as UNFPA programme policies and procedures is an advantage.
# Fluency in English (writing and speaking)

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive net salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.

How to apply

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.
Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.htm

Closing date: 25 Aug 2010