Position Summary:

The UNFPA Representative plays the leading role in projecting the priorities and mandate of the organization at the national and/or area level.  Through compelling advocacy and thought leadership, the Representative effectively positions UNFPA to be the visible centre of innovation and excellence on issues of population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender, human rights and culture.  Placing the ICPD issues at the centre of the overall development agenda, the Representative plays a significant part in ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive engagement across the UN system, with bilateral donors and civil society, with national counterparts and other partners.  The Representative provides leadership for the work of UNFPA in the country of assignment and is accountable for the UNFPA Country programme and operations in the country.  

 Key activities include:

• Strategic direction, planning and management
• Programme leadership and representation
• Programme oversight and coordination
• Management of resources

Under the guidance of the Director of the respective Regional Office, the Representative post is located in a Country Office in a programme country and has overall responsibilities for UNFPA representation, policy, programme, finance, staff and office administration in her/his country of assignment. The country of assignment is categorized as one which is large, or politically sensitive, or a location where UNFPA programme activities are highly visible, or in a contiguous group of countries.  The Representative leads and motivates the UNFPA team in the development of innovative, relevant approaches for engagement on issues related to population and development, sexual and reproductive health and gender.

Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:  

Post-graduate university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 15 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration and international development of which at least 8 years in the field of population and development at the international level;
• Job knowledge and technical expertise –up-to-date knowledge of issues of population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender, and their place in the development agenda;
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results;
• Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing in English;
• Strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations; and,
• Field experience is essential.

Languages: