Job summary

Under the auspices of the Agenda 2030, UNFPA is committed to contribute to the SDGs achievement, in particular the SDGs 3 and 5.
Women are much more likely than men to be impoverished, deprived of education and opportunities, and victimized by sexual and domestic violence. Goal 5 calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, the end of all forms of gender-based discrimination, and the elimination of harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). It also calls for ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
UNFPA supports policies and programmes that promote gender equality at all levels – from families, villages and schools to whole countries. UNFPA also collaborates with partners around the world to eliminate child marriage and FGM, practices that violate girls’ rights and perpetuate inequalities. And UNFPA works closely with partners – including men and boys themselves – to fight the global epidemic of gender-based violence.
UNFPA leads the UN’s efforts in promoting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including through strengthening health systems, training midwives, improving education about sexual and reproductive health, and supporting health services in many of the most deprived places on earth.
Within the UN Reform, UNFPA is partnering with other sister agencies in joint programmes and thematic funds through which each agency brings its comparative advantage and together assist countries in the delivery of the joint commitments. Most recently, the European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls, and harmful practices, which will follow a transformative and evidence-informed approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The new UNFPA Strategic Plan 2018-2021 paves the way for the organization to take the lead on the efforts to achieve three transformative goals: ending preventable maternal deaths; addressing the unmet need for family planning; and ending GBV and Harmful Practices. Underpinning all these major changes, the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls remains critical, as no progress can be sustained within ICPD Agenda if not underpinned by gender equality and empowerment of women, young and adolescent girls. To implement this vision, the new Strategic Plan proposed a dual approach for the integration of gender in field level programming and action through both targeted efforts and mainstreaming gender in programmes.
The Chief of the Gender, Human Rights and Culture Branch is located in the Technical Division of UNFPA Headquarters. The incumbent will report directly to the Director of the Technical Division, who provides overall strategic direction and technical leadership to the work of UNFPA. 

Education:

Advanced degree in Social Sciences, preferably in Cultural Anthropology, Sociology or Population, including economics and data analysis/qualitative research.

Knowledge and Experience:

At least 15 years of international experience in population and development, focusing on human rights, gender and culture with international organizations and at least 5 years in the field.

Fluency in English required.

Working knowledge of a second UN official language such as French or Spanish is desirable.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.