The position:

The Programme Specialist contributes to the co-ordination and management of high quality, timely oversight and country support from the Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) to ensure the delivery of programme results in UNFPA Country Offices. This includes the provision of guidance to design and implement country programmes, in line with UNFPA policies and procedures and national priorities.  

You will report directly to the APRO Programme Adviser.

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 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:

Programme Specialists fulfil a critical role within the APRO team as they are expected to deeply understand the political, developmental and humanitarian needs of countries within their portfolio and be able to make sound assessments as to how the UN system, and UNFPA in particular, can make a difference within each context. 

Relationship management, strategic thinking, programme design and monitoring and interpreting and applying policies and procedures are skills you will regularly utilize to contribute to the work of the regional office and to support senior managers and technical specialists in country offices to achieve results.

Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience

Education:  

Advanced university degree in international development, public health, social sciences, public policy or related discipline.  

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Seven years of programme management experience, ideally within an international or developing country context

• Experience in monitoring and analysing political and programmatic developments and identifying/presenting opportunities, risks and recommended actions

• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and foster and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (often at a distance and including senior managers)

• Excellent English written and oral communication skills

• Policy or programme management experience in any of UNFPA’s four main mandate areas (sexual and reproductive health, youth, gender or population dynamics) is an advantage

• Familiarity with the UN system is desirable

Languages: 

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