The Position:
The Programme Adviser post is located in the Gender, Human Rights Branch of the Programme Division and reports directly to the Branch Chief who provides overall strategic direction. They are the principal technical adviser and authoritative expert in the Fund for human rights and its linkages with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Programme Adviser works in an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to the Division’s and UNFPA’s overall strategy.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency working to deliver a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029 articulates the organization’s response to an increasingly complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence- and rights-based policies.
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.
You would be responsible for:
A. Strategic technical support
- Identify priority areas in the area of human rights, particularly reproductive rights in the context of ICPD, the SDGs and develop UNFPA strategic positions and related policies, frameworks, evidence-based arguments, and operational strategies, in collaboration and coordination with other branches, and Geneva Liaison Office, including in the context of increasing polarization, pushback, crises, and climate induced humanitarian situations;
- Support the mainstreaming of human rights and leaving no one behind (LNOB) in national and regional efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health, including in the context of UNFPA’s four Strategic Outcomes of its 2026-2029 Strategic Plan: family planning maternal health , and Gender Based Violence including Harmful Practices and demographic change;
- Leading Leaving No One Behind efforts within UNFPA, including in taking forward ongoing focus areas related to Indigenous Issues, supporting UNFPA’s work on persons with disabilities, persons of African Descent, supporting LGBTQI+ efforts, and overall efforts to address discrimination and inequalities;
- Support the integration of the human rights-based vision of the ICPD mandate in UN intergovernmental discussions and fora, including the Agenda 2030 development agenda and any other special events and conferences;
- Understand and respond to the needs of the country offices through the regional offices, in developing and updating policies, methodology, frameworks, guidance, standards, instruments and tools related to incorporation of human rights including leaving no one behind and its linkages to the ICPD mandate;
- Support the implementation and coordination of the UNFPA-OHCHR Framework of Cooperation 2026-2030;
- Support UNFPA’s work in measuring, strengthening, and implementing laws to guarantee access to SRHR and protect women and girls from violence and discrimination.
B. Results-based management
- Ensure incorporation of evaluation results, lessons learned and new knowledge in the updating of strategies, policies, tools and approaches on human rights and their linkages with the achievement of the SDGS;
- Develop substantive indicators, tools and guidance, and substantive quality assurance framework, for human rights and LNOB-related programming and evaluations;
- Contribute to technical and programming support efforts, in coordination with the Division External Relations, in the area of human rights and LNOB and linkages with UNFPA’s four outcomes.
C. Capacity development
- Support the work of international human rights mechanisms with a mandate to promote, monitor and protect sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, UN Treaty Bodies and Special Procedure mandate-holders;
- Liaise and support civil society networks and organizations advocating for human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights;
- Provide technical assistance and support to UNFPA regional, sub-regional and country offices to mainstream human rights in their programming frameworks and advocacy strategies;
- Guide the organizational effort to develop technical capacity of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to conduct country assessments of sexual and reproductive health and rights, national public inquiries and policy dialogues;
- Provide substantive technical capacity development of government officials, Civil Society Organizations, NHRIs and other relevant national stakeholders to track the implementation of recommendations issued by international human rights mechanisms with a focus on the Universal Periodic Review;
- Identify, develop and adapt training materials and manuals on reporting to international human rights mechanisms and implementation of recommendations with a focus on the Universal Periodic Review; and treaty bodies;
- Develop the capacities of UNFPA staff capacities on human rights and application of a Human Rights-Based Approach to programming through the development and roll-out of training and learning materials, including through in-person workshops at global, regional or national level and online courses;
- Coach and manage mid level and junior professional staff and associates, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task teams.
D. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
- Lead the analysis methodology and conceptual thinking related to UNFPA’s work on SDG indicators 5.6.1 and 5.6.2 (women’s decision-making for SRHR and laws that guarantee full and equal access to SRHR) and jointly with UNFPA’s data teams, strategically position women’s sexual and reproductive agency, and its measurement, in the post 2030 Agenda;
- Ensure that evidence, technical knowledge and analysis of lessons learned on HRBA and LNOB to programming and sexual and reproductive health and rights are collected, managed, disseminated and available for application in UNFPA operations, in collaboration with the Regional Offices, and UNFPA technical networks;
- Assemble briefing and background materials on human rights and its linkages with reproductive health and poverty reduction strategies and the achievement of the SDGS for senior management staff;
- Prepare briefing notes and background materials on a human rights based approach and LNOB to programming and on the promotion and protection of sexual and reproductive rights to serve the information needs of senior managers, other UNFPA colleagues and relevant partners.
E. Technical representation
- Represent UNFPA on human rights leaving no one behind, and gender equality issues, elaborate UNFPA’s human rights global perspective, and advocate in international, inter-governmental, U.N., and other policy and technical meetings and fora;
- Support the Executive Director in her role in the UN Principal Level Human Rights Group, to be created as part of UN Reforms;
- Collaborate with UN agencies, academia, research and training institutions, professional societies, and act as technical focal point for inter-agency working groups on human rights, including the Inter-Agency Working Group for the SG’s Call to Action on Human Rights, the UN Interagency group on CEDAW reporting and any other UN inter-agency mechanism and theme groups, as required;
- Act as the Division’s substantive focal point on human rights and LNOB; and carry out any other duties as may be required by the Branch Chief or Division Director.
Work relations:
Support partnership on human rights across UN entities, as well as with civil society and academia and donor countries. Work closely with any other LNOB functions in the Division
Knowledge and Experience:
- 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human rights and its linkages with reproductive health and poverty reduction strategies and the achievement of the SDGs of which seven years are at the international level;
- An acknowledged expert and recognized authority in the technical area;
- Understanding of human rights dimensions of gender equality policies and programmes, essential
- Broad experience in gender programming, essential
- Knowledge and experience of working on legal issues and civil society involvement in related security & protection, an asset
- Strong track record of technical leadership, publications, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;
- Extensive network within the academic and development community;
- Field experience is essential.
Education:
- Advanced University Degree in human rights and development, or other fields directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.
Languages:
- Fluency in English required and French or Spanish desirable. Good knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
- Excellent drafting skills in English required, and in French and/or Spanish desirable.
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:
- Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
- Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/Building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Job knowledge/Technical expertise.
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
- Providing strategic focus;
- Engaging internal/ external partners and stakeholders;
- Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance;
- Making decisions and exercising judgment
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 LGBTQIA+ community, 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.
