Background

The incumbent will provide substantive programmatic support for the implementation of the regional initiatives of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change, including interventions within the framework of the Spotlight Initiative on Ending GBV and Harmful Practices. UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation is the largest global programme addressing female genital mutilation and it supports national efforts in 21 countries, in addition to undertaking global and regional level initiatives. Spotlight Initiative is an initiative between the United Nations and European Union that support and enhance a regional approach to eliminating Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices. The incumbent will report to the coordinator of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change and will be stationed within the Technical Division UNFPA Office in Addis Ababa.

 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 rationale for having a technical specialist is the implementation of the Spotlight Africa Regional Programme by the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM.

You would be responsible for:

Providing and managing technical assistance for development and implementation of the Africa Spotlight Regional Programme which consist on supporting Gender Based Violence and Harmful practices, specifically FGM, including for monitoring and tracking results;

Providing capacity development and strengthening in support of the  work in GBV and Harmful Practices;

Establishing and strengthening strategic partnerships with stakeholders and regional actors and development partners, including in particular civil society and women’s organizations;

Leading the design, development, management and sharing of relevant knowledge products on GBV and Harmful Practices.

Education:  

● Advanced University Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Health, Gender Human Rights and Development, or other field directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.

Knowledge and Experience: 

● Seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in issues related to gender equality, social protection, health and development, required; 

● Experience with gender equality, women’s development and rights-based programming, both at field and regional levels, required; 

● Experience in addressing GBV and HP issues including culturally sensitive programming, required;

● Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;

● Strong verbal and written communications skills in English;

● Demonstrated ability to network within the academic and development community;

● Demonstrated expertise in policy dialogue and high level advocacy is desirable;

● Familiarity with UN systems and procedures, management and monitoring tools is desirable;

Languages: 

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