The Position:
The Head of Office leads a country team in implementing the Government-UNFPA country programme of cooperation. Reporting to the non-resident Country Director based in China, who provides overall vision and strategic guidance, the Head of Office ensures transformative and relevant results in realizing ICPD PoA and contributing to Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Head of Office has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator (RC) on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other inter-agency agreements of the UNCT.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and to end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
The Head of Office is a principled leader with high ethical standards, who promotes and defends human rights in line with international norms and standards.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Office is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of UNFPA activities, and acts under delegated authority from the non-resident Country Director who maintains an overall accountability for the achievement of UNFPA strategic results in the country.
S/he actively supports the RC/UNCT and strategically positions UNFPA’s work within the context of the UNSDCF development and implementation, which should inform the UNCT activities and composition, and the specific focus of UNFPA country programme.
S/he is responsible for establishing a dialogue, promoting partnerships and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, UN system, multi/bilateral agencies, civil society, private-sector and other stakeholders in the country to develop and implement programmes that respond to national priorities and efforts to advance the ICPD Programme of Action and in support of the SDGs achievement.
The Head of Office manages a team of technical, programme and operations personnel supporting country programme implementation, managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of high-quality results. S/he is accountable for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory, and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel.
Requirements:
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender Studies, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
● 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of international development, preferably in the area of population, gender equality and/or sexual and reproductive health, including programme design, and management.
● Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
● Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
● Excellent written and oral communication skills to represent the organization and foster high-level strategic partnerships.
● Experience in high-level advocacy and policy dialogue, as well as, Resource Mobilization and Partnership development
● Ability to effectively influence partners to engage with UNFPA’s mandate.
● Interest in leading change in achieving national results towards the ICPD PoA and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.