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Job ID: 38616
Location: West and Central Africa
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Rotation: 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. Our 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.
We are looking for leaders that can motivate and inspire our dedicated staff members to engage with our mission, a leader with the ability to invite dialogue, build solid partnerships and alliances that enhance the delivery of our mission. The ideal UNFPA Representative is committed and ready to lead our country offices within the Western & Central Africa region.
We are recruiting five Representative for our country offices listed below.
Please list the position(s) for which you are applying for and the order of preference:
Countries: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Liberia & Sierra Leone
Post Designation: These posts are designated as ROTATIONAL
Appointment Type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Contract Duration: One Year (Renewable)
Vacancy Closing Date: 5 August 2021 (5:00 pm, New York time)
Organizational Setting
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 expands choices and possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. Our work is derived from the International Conference on Population & Development (ICPD) Programme of Action; that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and protections and no one person should be left behind in the fulfilment of their fundamental human rights. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical leaders who embody these international norms and standards that have come under threat, and who will courageously lead and with full conviction defend them.
The Position:
Reporting directly to the Regional Director, the Resident Representative leads a country office team in the design, management, and results-based implementation of a country programme that is aligned with the National Agenda and delivers on UNFPA’s mandate and the ICPD Programme of Action, both in development and humanitarian settings. Through alliances and partnerships with governments, UN and bilateral agencies, development partners, civil society, academia and the private sector, the programme aims to realize the 2030 Agenda and the 3 transformative results of the UNFPA Strategic Plan in order to make a positive difference in the lives of people; especially those left furthest behind. As a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Representative has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator (RC) on collaborative contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other inter-agency agreements of the UNCT. The Resident Representative is also a member of the country Security Management Team (SMT) and responsible for the safety and security of UNFPA staff and eligible dependants
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
Job Purpose:
Under the guidance and direct supervision of a Regional Director and in a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Resident Coordinator, a Resident Representative will represent UNFPA and provide team leadership, strategic planning, adaptive management, oversight, advocacy, communication, resource mobilization, and senior level engagement with government, sister UN organizations, development and humanitarian partners and other stakeholders to ensure effective, sustainable and high quality outcomes and impact for UNFPA programme of support. Build capacity of a cohesive, transparent, and highly collaborative country office team that manages itself with agility, and operates in an environment free of intimidation and exploitation and abuse of any form.
The West & Central Africa Region strengthened its management structure resulting in a number of management positions being upgraded in order to ensure key stakeholder management and continued support for the programmes on the ground. Strengthening management positions at the country level will ensure that country offices have the right balance and mix of skills and expertise to deliver on the 2030 agenda and achieve transformative results.
West and Central Africa is predominantly composed of fragile countries, where UNFPA implements large and complex portfolios, especially in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin. For these large-scale complex programmes to achieve greater results, it was deemed imperative to strengthen a staffing structure that was becoming increasingly inadequate.
Positions where UNFPA Representative also acts as a non-resident Country Director for designated countries:
A UNFPA Representative may also act as a non-resident Country Director for designated country office(s), either in neighboring countries or in the same region. As a non-resident Country Director, s/he will be accountable for the achievement of UNFPA strategic results in the designated country(ies), supported on the ground by the national or international Head of Office who is responsible for day-to-day management and coordination of UNFPA activities of the country office.
The Head of Office reports to you and has also a dotted reporting line to the UN Resident Coordinator. You will also liaise with and support the Resident Coordinator and other UN Country Team members, and undertake duty travels to the country as and when required.
For the safety and security of UNFPA staff and personnel, the in-country UNFPA national or international Head of Office will be responsible and accountable as outlined in the UNFPA Security Accountability Policy ( hyperlink). The Country Director will be responsible to ensure that the Head of Office, at that country office, fulfills the security accountability policy and actively participates at the Security Management Team locally.
As non-resident Country Director, you would be responsible for:
Providing overall vision, strategic guidance, progressive high-level advocacy and visibility, as well as necessary oversight and support to the different programmatic and operational aspects of UNFPA’s work in the country, including in sudden onset and protracted humanitarian settings.
Supporting/guiding the Head of Office in positioning UNFPA priorities within UNSDCF and joint programmes
Supporting Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships efforts, advising and guiding the country office on new and emerging partnerships.
Delegate authority to the Head of Office, as and when necessary, to ensure day-to-day management of the office and effective implementation of UNFPA programmes
Conducting performance appraisal of the Head of Office, whilst seeking the inputs from the UN Resident Coordinator on Head of Office’s contribution as a UNCT member.
Providing guidance on creating an agile, collaborative, and innovative environment for all staff to thrive.
Ensure commitment of all staff to environmentally responsible behaviour and adherence to the UN Leadership Framework.
As UNFPA Resident Representative, you would be responsible for:
- Strategic direction, planning and management
Lead the positioning of UNFPA mandate in the country on the basis of global, regional and national policies and strategies.
Lead UNFPA’s active involvement in the UN Reform Agenda, with particular reference to the new Resident Coordinator’s system, UN Country Team, Activities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Common Country Assessment and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, country level actions related to the common chapter of UNFPA Strategic plan, as well as Business Operations and common back offices related actions, new Management and Accountability Framework (MAF), etc;
Collaborate with the RC and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, collaboration, cooperation and harmonization of programming, common services, security and operations; engage in regular UNCT consultations, planning and decision-making processes.
Build inclusive institutional relationships with government counterparts, civil society, the private sector, the UN community, other international/national organizations, academia and bilaterals that enable co-creation and galvanize support for UNFPA’s mandate
Promote and advocate for UNFPA’s mandate in the national development agenda, and in the changing multi-lateral aid environment through multi-stakeholder engagement
Establish priorities for the work of the Country Office, in line with Cooperation Framework, regional and global UNFPA corporate priorities, including the ICPD plan of action and 2030 agenda.
Ensure that policies, programming tools, state-of-the-art technical expertise, and sound business practices are incorporated into UNFPA country operations in line with the corporate policies and procedures.
Lead and coordinate at country level UNFPA’s direct involvement in and contribution to the development of the UN system-wide Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Ensure that UNFPA’s humanitarian mandate and funding ask are included in HNOs and HRPs.
Lead and coordinate UNFPA’s emergency and preparedness, response and recovery actions in-country to enable the Country Office in responding swiftly to sudden-onset and protracted crisis situations may they be caused by natural disasters and / or armed conflict.
Engage at the level of UNCT with assisting the host government with the implementation of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction at country level and with climate and disaster risk-informed planning and programmes of the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) Partnership.
Actively participate in Security Management Team (SMT) meetings, ensure UNFPA’s safety and security concerns are adequately addressed in local security management system.
Mainstream safety and security in all operations and activities, ensuring inclusion of direct security costs at the inception of new programmes/initiatives.
Ensure the safety and security of personnel and their eligible dependents in compliance with established UNSMS and UNFPA security policies and processes.
Ensure that the CO has a functional Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
Mainstream environmental efficiency in all operations and activities, ensuring reduction of UNFPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions in line with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations system 2020-2030.
- Management of Resources
Manage human resources, providing them with vision and strategic direction and motivation; fostering empowerment, learning and career management.
Demonstrate transparent leadership in the performance appraisal that supports a culture of growth and development, where good performance, as part of a team and the UN System, is incentivized and underperformers are held to account.
Attract and retain the highest calibre of personnel for the Country Office.
Set standards of performance and individual behaviours, and coach the team in achieving results according to the Country Office priorities.
Act as a role model by demonstrating the highest standards of conduct in accordance with Human Rights, International Law, the UN Leadership Framework, and other universal standards. Apply zero tolerance and proactively lead teams towards ethical compliance, especially as Conflicts of Interests and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are concerned.
Manage resources entrusted to you to ensure effective and sustainable achievement of results, maximum value for money, and ethical achievement of efficiencies in programme and operations delivery.
Drive the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive resource mobilization and inclusive partnership strategy including donor relations and effective mobilisation of funds encompassing both regular development work as much as delivering UNFPA’s mandate in humanitarian settings.
Coordinating and signing responsible for CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund) and Emergency Fund (EF) submissions, timely implementation and reporting to HQ on CERF and EF utilization.
Facilitate UNFPA’s involvement in UN collective efforts in advancing Financing for Development through implementation of innovative financing modalities and joint programme modalities, as may be applicable to the country context.
- Programme Leadership and Representation
Provide leadership in development, and implementation of the organization’s country level policy dialogue and programme, including delivery of technical assistance for capacity development and for humanitarian situations.
Engage national counterparts through effective advocacy of UNFPA’s agenda; build support for programme objectives and create awareness of the role of ICPD issues in the overall development agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Represent UNFPA within the inter-agency United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the UN Humanitarian Country Team (HCT); support the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) as UNCT leader and Humanitarian Coordinator as HCT leader, promoting integration of population and development, prevention and response to Gender-based Violence (GBV), youth engagement, women empowerment and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and humanitarian agenda; contribute to the UN reform process including the triple nexus (Development, Humanitarian and Peace) within the UNCT context, where applicable.
Drive UNFPA accountability for the UN Flash Appeal / Humanitarian Response Plan and contribute actively to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework) common results, including through chairing/co-chairing UNCT Results Groups.
Initiate programme and technical support opportunities for South to South collaboration with other countries.
Proactively elevate country level issues that may negatively impact the delivery of UNFPA mandate to senior management.
- Programme Oversight and Coordination:
Drive the application of results-based management and quality assurance frameworks for the work of the Country Office.
Enforce financial and monitoring processes to ensure the Country Office complies with UNFPA policies and procedures, corporate requirements and audit recommendations.
Ensure Country Office compliance with policies and procedures to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment.
Ensure compliance of the Country Office with all applicable regulations, rules, policies, procedures and directives.
Demonstrated knowledge of the 2030 agenda and how the ICPD programme of action links up with the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Regional Director.
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Postgraduate university degree in any 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 at the international level.
Experience leading and managing complex development and humanitarian programmes in civil society organisations and/or the United Nations.
Current knowledge of issues of population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and their place in the development and humanitarian agenda.
Proven ability to lead a team, be accountable for assigned responsibilities, inspire its members, create space for learning and innovation, coach the team for demonstrable and high quality results and impact; safe-guard the organization’s ethics and values.
Experience at national and international level in advocacy and policy dialogue.
Political acumen.
Experience in media/communication with partners, and public information.
Experience in international development, particularly in the mandate of UNFPA and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
Ability to create an agile environment, able to adapt to changing contexts.
Embrace appropriate risk to support innovation.
Ability to deal with and manage crisis situations, prioritizing safety and security of personnel as a high priority.
Strong influencing skills to engage with new partners around key elements of UNFPA’s mandate.
Demonstrable management and field experience is essential, specifically in complex countries or humanitarian situations.
Demonstrated ability to anticipate changing corporate priorities, and develops new partnerships in innovative ways, specifically with private sector and civil society.
Demonstrated ability to involve key stakeholders when making critical decisions.
Demonstrated ability to look at the external environment and successfully identify opportunities and initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to create an environment of evidence-based analysis, risk management, prioritization and timely decision-making.
Languages: Fluency in English and French is mandatory.
UNFPA Work Environment
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.
We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/ Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post. The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
Notice to Applicants:
In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for:
Stateless persons
Newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently.
Acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category.
Staff members appointed under a temporary appointment.
Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.
For any questions or comments please contact recruiting@unfpa.org
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