The Position:

The Regional Desk Specialist is located in the Operational Support & Quality Assurance Branch (OSQAB), Policy & Strategy Division (PSD). Under the overall leadership of the Chief of Branch, and under the direct supervision of the Team Lead (Global Programme Coordinator), s/he supports the strategic exchanges between UNFPA Headquarters and the Regions in the areas of programmes, political, technical, and operational matters. The incumbent supports regional desk team and reinforces the team on all liaison and representation issues for an assigned region, including supporting the integration of evidence-based programme results and reality in critical processes and decisions at the corporate level.

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; who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Regional Desk Specialist, under the supervision of the Team Lead (Global Programme Coordinator), supports senior management decision making and organizational positioning by reflecting regional perspectives across all aspects of UNFPA’s substantive work. S/He ensures effective and timely backstopping of the Region, including keeping the Regional Director informed about new and emerging corporate and system-wide directions. The key functions include:

• Contribute to efforts to ensure that regional and country issues and concerns are reflected and advocated for in global forums /task teams;
• Facilitate the cross-regional sharing of country-level experiences, innovation and good practices with key partners at the global level towards ensuring UNFPA programme effectiveness
• Support interventions for increasing regional visibility and enriching partnerships with evidence-based programme realities and results, including ensuring that partners are knowledgeable across the spectrum of UNFPA’s substantive work.

Qualfications and Experience

Education: 

Master’s degree in public health, medicine, sociology, demography, gender, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 5 years progressively responsible national and international professional experience in coordination, liaison, support functions and teamwork, of which at least 3 years of practical field experience in reproductive health, population and development, gender, advocacy, management and evaluation;
• Involvement in and understanding of UN intergovernmental and interagency outcomes and systems would be an asset;
• Demonstrated, strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and in one other UN official language pertinent to the Region(s) under his or her responsibility;
• Good understanding of or experience in Field programme experience;
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System;
• UN inter-agency experience in a strong asset

Languages:

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