The Position:

The Humanitarian Specialist plays a leadership role in humanitarian preparedness and response for the UNFPA Pacific Sub regional office (PSRO), which is based in Fiji and provides programmatic support to 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).  

You will be responsible for overseeing, planning and supporting overall implementation of humanitarian-related program activities in the Pacific region, carrying out timely and effective results-based management of disaster preparedness and response plans. 

You will report directly to the PSRO Deputy Director.

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 Pacific region is among the most vulnerable in the world to the effects of climate change and natural disasters, with the region frequently hit by tropical cyclones, floods, droughts and earthquakes. Eight of the fourteen countries that the UNFPA Pacific Sub-regional Office (PSRO) covers are among the 20 countries in the world with the highest average annual disaster losses scaled by gross domestic product. Vanuatu, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Fiji have very high exposure to natural hazards and low or very low coping capacities.  It is important to ensure that Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) information and services remain available and accessible during frequent natural disasters, given the disproportionate effect on women, girls and persons living with disabilities (PLWD). 

While strategies and national health disaster plans for emergency preparedness and disaster response exist in some countries, very few reflect integration and prioritization of SRH and GBV needs. Capacities and infrastructure for disaster response are generally weak, and social protection, gender and inclusion of PLWD are typically not prioritized.

Emergency preparedness and humanitarian assistance is integrated in UNFPA’s Sub regional Program and remains an important function of the organization. UNFPA in line with global strategy contributes to strengthening national capacity to provide sexual and reproductive health services, gender based violence prevention and response, and data issues in humanitarian settings, and to advocate for prioritization and incorporation of SRH and GBV needs within national disaster action plans. 

You will be overseeing coordination and implementation of all humanitarian activities in the sub regional office and in the field, while ensuring linkages with ongoing development programs in close coordination with the program team and partners. You will work in close collaboration with national authorities, humanitarian agencies (UN agencies through the Pacific Humanitarian Team and international NGOs), the UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO), and national partners and civil society organizations to strengthen emergency preparedness and provide humanitarian assistance to affected populations during and/or post disasters. 

Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Humanitarian response, International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences or related disciplines.

Knowledge and Experience:

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience at the advisory/managerial level in the area of relevant programme management and coordination, with at least three years of managerial experience in humanitarian coordination and/or preparedness activities at the international level;

Substantive knowledge and practical experience of UN Humanitarian relief operations and procedures and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors, and inter-agency humanitarian sector/cluster system is essential;

Strong analytical, coordination and organizational skills, and an enthusiastic team player who seeks to empower others;

Experience and knowledge of UNFPA is an advantage and familiarity of the Pacific context is an asset;

Computer Literacy: Proficiency in the use of standard MS Office packages and the Internet.

Languages:

Proficiency in written and oral English. Working knowledge of Pacific languages is an asset.