Job Purpose:

The Regional Humanitarian Advisor provides technical and programmatic support to the region and Country Offices in all areas related to aspects of emergency preparedness, response and recovery, as this relates to the mandate of UNFPA, specifically situations that impact on sexual and reproductive health, gender and population and development. S/he helps to enhance the capacity of country offices, governments and civil society in preparing and addressing emergency and humanitarian situations.

Given the crisis-prone nature of an increasing number  of countries in the region, and the scale and complexity of resulting emergencies, you will work toward the integration of humanitarian preparedness and response within the regional programme and country programmes. You will ensure coordination and linkages between development and humanitarian programmes to promote resourceful, resilient strategies and support the integration of UNFPA’s mandate within emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, and resilience plans in West and Central Africa.

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 works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged communities. The accountability of the post embraces UNFPA’s advocacy with governments and partners as well as other aspects under UNFPA’s strategic framework.

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.

The Position:

The Regional Humanitarian Advisor is responsible for operationalizing UNFPA’s corporate humanitarian vision in the West and Central Africa region. You will provide high level policy and programme planning support in matters related to humanitarian and fragile contexts in the WCA region; undertake risk analysis, provide country offices with technical advice and coordination support on contingency planning and emergency response efforts, quality assurance and evaluation support for UNFPA’s humanitarian portfolio in the region with particular focus on the countries in crisis and post-crisis, the most vulnerable groups such as refugees and displaced communities especially women, girls and young people.

You will coordinate the work of the Regional Humanitarian Steering Committee (R-HSC) and that of the Gender Based Violence Regional Sub-group. You will represent UNFPA in various fora and platforms, including the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), while closely collaborating with regional humanitarian partners (UN and international NGOs), regional institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen and advocate for emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction in all the countries and to provide humanitarian assistance to crisis affected communities in a manner consistent with Inter-Agency Standing Committee guidance and within the context of the New Way of Working (NWOW) to strengthen the humanitarian, development, and peace continuum.

You will work under the overall leadership of the Regional Director, and the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, West and Central Africa Region.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, Economics, International Relations, International Development, Humanitarian Emergencies, Management or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in managing humanitarian programmes relevant to UNFPA’s mandate, including at least five at international level;
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in sexual and reproductive health and/or gender-based violence in emergencies;
• Proven experience with Emergencies/Humanitarian Response;
• Good understanding of Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health (RH) implementation and the IASC GBV guidelines;
• Strong analytical, reporting writing, coordination and organizational skills;
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System;
• Excellent knowledge of policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and reforms;
• Experience in providing technical and assistance and capacity building;
• Field experience, particularly in humanitarian settings.

Languages:

• Fluency in French and working knowledge of English are required.
• Knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably Spanish, would be an asset.