The Position:

The Special Assistant reports directly to the Regional Director (RD); s/he works with the RD by providing strategic, managerial, technical operational and coordinate support to all aspects of the work of the Regional and Sub-regional Offices and outside the Region.

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 Special Assistant will provide operational and strategic support to the Director acting as a key interface with all units within and outside the Regional Office.

• Coordination of Director's participation in various fora;

• Backstopping of the Directorate;

• Knowledge management of the RO.

Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience  

 Education: 

 Advanced University degree (preferably an MBA) with specialization in management or a related subject in international development;

 Knowledge and Experience: 

● 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in developmental work is required;

● Strong analytical and synthetic ability for coordination and knowledge management is required;

● Professional experience in policy development is required;

● Basic research skills and familiarity with quantitative and qualitative methods is required;

● Solid drafting skills and oral communication skills in English is required;

● Good network within the academic and development community is an asset;

● Field experience is a strong asset;

 Languages: 

 Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.