Job Summary

The position of Humanitarian Response Specialist is based at the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in Johannesburg, South Africa within the integrated SRHR Unit. In general, the position is expected to be part of a programme of engagement with the political and technical arms of intergovernmental sub regional and regional organizations, as well as with relevant regional NGOs, UNFPA Country Offices, professional associations and international development agencies. The role provides technical support to Country Offices across the gamut of humanitarian and emergency response issues related to UNFPA’s mandate. 

You will report directly to the Deputy Regional Director, East and Southern Africa Region.

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 new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. 

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Humanitarian Response Specialist provides technical support and programmatic advice to the Country Offices in the East and Southern Africa region in all areas of humanitarian and emergency preparedness as this relates to the mandate of UNFPA. This includes sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, gender including GBV, young people and particularly young girls, health system issues and population and development, including data systems in humanitarian settings. The Humanitarian Specialist provides support to UNFPA Representatives and country office staff to enhance the capacity of country offices, governments and civil society in preparing and addressing emergency and humanitarian situations.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:  

Post-graduate University Degree or equivalent in public health, medicine, sociology, demography, gender, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 7 years of work experience in Humanitarian and Emergency Response settings
• Programming experience in SRHR, gender and GBV and Population and Development in Humanitarian settings
• Fluency in written and spoken English required, fluency in written and spoken French preferred, working knowledge of Portuguese is an asset
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System
• Experience in providing technical and assistance and capacity building
• Field experience required
• Experience of working at a regional level preferred

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French, is desirable.