The Position:
The Head of Office leads a country team in the development and management of a Government-UNFPA country programme of cooperation in support of efforts to achieve UNFPA’s strategic plan goals and the ICPD PoA, contributing to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). S/he reports to the Arab States Regional Office senior management, who provides overall vision, strategic guidance, support and oversight for the implementation of UNFPA programmes in the country.
Additionally, as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Head of Office has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to whom s/he periodically reports on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other inter-agency agreements of the UNCT.
The Regional Office senior management conducts the performance appraisal of the Head of the Office whilst seeking inputs from the RC on Head of Office’s contributions as a UNCT member.
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 expands choices and possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), focuses on focuses on four interconnected outcomes: (a) accelerating progress on meeting the unmet need for family planning; (b) accelerating progress on ending preventable maternal deaths; (c) accelerating progress on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and (d) adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need staff who are exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Office is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of UNFPA activities, and acts under delegated authority from the Regional Office senior management who maintains an overall accountability for the achievement of UNFPA strategic results in the country.
S/he actively supports the RC/UNCT and strategically positions UNFPA’s work within the context of the UNSDCF development and implementation, which should inform the UNCT activities and composition, and the specific focus of UNFPA country programme.
S/he is responsible for establishing a dialogue, promoting partnerships and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, UN system, multi/bilateral agencies, civil society, private-sector and other stakeholders in the country to develop and implement programmes that respond to national priorities and efforts to advance the ICPD Programme of Action and in support of the SDGs achievement.
In addition to his/her role as Head of Office, the incumbent will assume leadership of one of UNFPA’s core thematic areas (Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender Equality, or Population and Development), in line with corporate priorities and country context. The Head of Office will ensure strategic consolidation, positioning and scale-up of these achievements, while strengthening institutional capacities, partnerships and national ownership.
The Head of Office manages a team of technical, programme and operations personnel supporting country programme implementation, managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of high-quality results. S/he is accountable for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory, and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel.
You would be responsible for:
1.Programme leadership, coordination, planning and management;
- Conducting policy dialogue with Government, UN System and other development partners to incorporate UNFPA’s priorities and agenda into national plans and strategies, UNSDCF and other joint initiatives and development frameworks;
- Provide high level technical advice to partners when needed, including supporting capacity building of government and development partners to generate, analyze and utilize quality data for evidence-based decision making, policy and program formulation, monitoring and evaluation. Assessing implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution and ensuring their integration.
- Lead program coordination for UNFPA’s program portfolio integrating the four outcome areas of the SP. Promote a human rights, results-based approach and integration of innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of country programmes, sub-programmes and projects based on strategic priorities and responsive to the countries’ needs.
- Translating global agreements into country-specific advocacy strategies to promote the national plans. This includes creating and delivering evidence-based advocacy messages to promote UNFPA’s programme goals, taking into account political and social sensitivity.
- Ensuring application of Results Based Management principles in all phases of country programme development and implementation, integrating innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of country programme, sub-programmes and projects.
- Identifying, providing and coordinating inputs into programme development and implementation, ensuring programme monitoring and oversight, and coordinating and evaluating the inputs of technical experts.
- Promoting knowledge sharing and continuous learning. This includes testing, evaluating and documenting innovative strategies and best practices inside and outside UNFPA and replicating and embedding these as appropriate.
- Coordinate the development and implementation of UNFPA's humanitarian and preparedness actions/efforts in-country.
2.External relationships and resource mobilization:
- Representing UNFPA at technical level meetings and high-level meetings under delegated authority from Regional Office senior management and in consultation with the UN RC;
- Managing strategic partnerships with key national and international in-country stakeholders in advancing the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s mandate
- Leading resource mobilization efforts by identifying potential donors, preparing proposals including outlining co-financing resources for support to the country programme, and supporting the government and other agencies in coordinating assistance for programmes.
3.Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team:
- Actively supporting the RC within the context of the UNSDCF results framework, including in policy and technical support as appropriate and within available means to achieve agreed UNCT results.
- Ensuring that the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s transformative results are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF development planning and agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the SDGs;
- Representing UNFPA at UNCT and Security Management Team (SMT) in accordance with the UNCT working arrangements, unless Regional Office senior management is in-country.
- Participating in the Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, including through chairing/co-chairing the UNSDCF and other inter-agency results/theme groups at the country level.
- Supporting the RC in coordinated resource mobilization efforts for joint UN efforts.
- Participating in RC and UNCT members’ performance appraisal.
4.Leading and managing the country team:
- Under the overall guidance of the Regional Office senior management, managing country team staff; foster motivation, empowerment, learning and career management. Attract and retain the highest caliber of staff for the Country Office
- Setting standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Office Strategic Information System
- Managing resources entrusted to you through delegation of authority, to ensure effective achievement of results, maximum value for money, and achievement of efficiencies in programme and operations delivery
- Ensuring that the Country Office complies with UNFPA policies and procedures, corporate requirements and audit recommendations, including related financial and programme monitoring systems
- Ensuring that security risk management is fully integrated into programme planning and operations, participates actively in the in-country Security Management Team, ensures implementation of security measures and allocation of resources, maintains business continuity preparedness, and operates in compliance with UN Security Management System policies and procedures.
- Ensuring a work environment free from harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority.
- Ensure that all programme beneficiaries are protected against sexual abuse and exploitation committed by any actor affiliated with UNFPA in any way, and that they are informed of reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse and exploitation. Ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken in response to any such reports, in line with corporate requirements and standards.
- Ensuring the daily functioning of the Country Office
Qualifications and Experience:
Education: Advanced degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender Studies, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of international development, preferably in the area of gender, population and/or Reproductive Health, including programme design, and management.
- Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
- Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to represent the organization and foster high-level strategic partnerships.
- Experience in high-level advocacy and policy dialogue, as well as Resource Mobilization and Partnership development
- Ability to effectively influence partners to engage with UNFPA’s mandate.
- Interest in leading changes in achieving national results towards the ICPD PoA and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Languages: Fluency in Arabic, French and English is required.
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity,
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
- Embracing cultural diversity,
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results,
- Being accountable,
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
- Thinking analytically and strategically,
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Functional Competencies:
- Business acumen
- Implementing management systems
- Innovation and marketing of new approaches
- Client orientation
- Organizational awareness
Managerial Competencies:
- Providing strategic focus,
- Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
- Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
- Making decisions and exercising judgments.
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
