The Position:

The Policy/Advocacy Specialist will be based in the UNFPA Liaison Office in Addis Ababa (ELO), under the direct supervision of the Chief. 

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 Policy/Advocacy Specialist will provide support to the African Union Commission (AUC) in its work to implement the AUC Roadmap on Demographic Dividend, follow-up on implementation of key commitments from the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, the second continental review of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD) as well as activities related to the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. The Specialist will provide support to various departments of AUC including the Office of the Chairperson, the Gender Directorate, the Department of Social Affairs, the Office of the Youth Envoy, the Human Resources, Science and Technology Department, the Economic Affairs Department and the Peace and Security Department. The Specialist will contribute to the work of the ELO on the African Youth Charter as well as the Roadmap on Demographic Dividend and support the relevant AUC Departments as required. The Specialist will engage with all relevant partners to ensure the successful implementation of key activities and milestones in the Roadmap and the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and development (AADPD), in a way that affirms and further promotes the AUC's mandate in support of the ICPD and SDGs.

Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience  

Education:  

Advanced university degree in Social Sciences or related field.

 
Knowledge and Experience: 

● 5 years of relevant experience in policy development and advocacy, project development and management, research and facilitation and communication;

● Knowledge of external relations and intergovernmental processes: networking and advocacy; reproductive health and human rights including women’s, young people and reproductive rights;

● Solid experience in inter-governmental processes;

● Knowledge of the African Union, ECA and other multilateral institutions;

● Strong understanding of the concept of demographic dividend and population dynamics as well as ICPD25;

● Solid understanding of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda;

● Dedication to the United Nations principles and demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team.

Languages: 

Fluency in English and French is a requirement; knowledge of other official UN languages is an asset.