Deputy Representative – UNFPA

Job Description

• Level: P-4
• Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
• Closing date: 14 Oct 2024 06:00 AM (America/New_York)
• Duty station: Lilongwe

The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative, the Deputy Representative plays the leading role in the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA country programme and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Country Office. The Deputy Representative will also supervise Country Office staff as assigned by the Representative.

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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments to accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 who 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:

In close collaboration with the UNFPA Representative, the UNFPA Deputy Representative plays a leading role in strengthening the Country’s capacity to implement the ICPD Programme of Action within the context of its national development efforts for the achievement of the MDGs, thus ensuring national ownership.   S/He is primarily responsible for the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA Country programme, projecting the programme of the organization, promoting at the national level the goals of the programme and ensuring the integration of issues of population, sexual and reproductive health, and gender in the broader development agenda.  The Deputy Representative plays a leadership role also within the UNFPA country team, providing an example of creative programme development and sharing knowledge and insights with staff to facilitate broad country programme management. Key activities include:

• Programme Leadership
• National Capacity Development
• Partnerships and Advocacy
• Resource Management

The Deputy Representative serves as OIC in the absence of the UNFPA Representative; s/he serves on the Country Management Team, with the OM or other senior staff in programme and operations management.

You would be responsible for:

A) Programme Leadership 

• Ensure quality development and delivery of integrated technical and programmatic support that meets country needs and achieves the ICPD goals and SDGs.
• Assess and address implications of national trends on UNFPA work in the country;
• Consult with Government, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders on national priorities;
• Recommend areas of assistance based on continuous review and analysis of demographic and socio-economic data and national population policies in the context of the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of UNFPA-supported Country Programme;
• Provide inputs to the RO based on country specificities for the development of the global/regional strategic plan
• Assess additional resource requirements for the Country Programme;
• Ensure continuous feedback to the RO/SRO on programme, technical and operational policy, regulations, procedures, etc. as well as lessons learned and import new modalities or directions in thinking into the country office;
• Develop and manage the Country Programme in line with the strategic plan, liaising with the RO/SRO technical and programme teams;
• Implement UNFPA guidelines, policies, standards, tools, and systems at the CO level;
• Oversee and direct technical assistance to partners and stakeholders in the country;
• Catalyze the expansion of the range of UNFPA deliverables and originate new project portfolios in UNFPA’s mandate area; develop new programme options and project models in substantive areas;
• Devolve authority for portfolio management to project and national staff facilitating capacity building and guiding programme implementation with solid, substantive oversight and effective programme representation;
• Establish quality standards for project development and delivery, in consultation with the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor assigned to support the RO;
• Prepare programme and financial progress reports and feedback to donors;
• Take the lead in promoting knowledge sharing with the country operations, with partners, and with the Regional and/or Sub-Regional offices; and
• Depending on the country of assignment, high priority may be placed on the formulation and execution of responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and humanitarian emergencies.

B) National Capacity Development:

• Implement strategy for capacity building at the country level, within the context of the global strategy;
• Create an enabling environment for the implementation of the ICPD agenda;
• Provide technical, material, financial and political support to strengthen national capacity on thematic programmes; and
• Create/improve national capacities to monitor, evaluate and learn from capacity development initiatives.

C) Partnerships and Advocacy;

• Enhance the capacity of the country office to build reliable and sustainable partnerships and advocate effectively
• Advocate for ICPD agenda with national institutions and other UN agencies represented at the national level;
• Promote South-South cooperation for the achievement of ICPD goals;
• Pursue innovative ways to maintain and create new partnerships;
• Maintain a continuous flow of information with government and donors;
• Advocate for organizational goals in population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender with national counterparts and within the United Nations system as part of coordinated development activities demonstrating empathy with national perspectives and the capacity to align organizational goals with national priorities;
• Participate in the UN Common Country Assessment and the UN Development Assistance Framework exercises in the country as part of broader UN Reform initiatives; and
• Participate in the sector-wide approach (SWAP) activities in the health sector as appropriate.

D) Resources Management

• Ensure the efficient and effective delivery of day-to-day management support to country operations.
• Support the UNFPA Representative in overall accountability for the management and work of the Country Office;
• Participate in the formulation of the annual work plans and monitor their day-to-day implementation through consultations, correspondence, and field visits;
• Propose and secure annual allocations for the country programme, and ensure the efficient and effective use of such resources in compliance with UNFPA financial rules, regulations, and procedures;
• Assist in the formulation and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy for the country, and mobilize, in coordination with IERD and the RO, additional financial resources for the country;
• Support the Representative in the management of human and financial resources, with particular attention to ensuring systems of accountability as per UNFPA policies, rule and procedures;
• Supervise international and national programme staff, providing them with managerial direction and motivation;
• Participate directly in achieving staff accountability, learning and career management within the office;
• Develop and guide an integrated and systems approach to the work of the Country Office;
• Communicate standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Office OMP and the PAD system;
• Establish and maintain a harmonious working environment; seek to strengthen team-building by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels; foster staff motivation, development and empowerment; and lead by example; Coordinate the provision of administrative services with service providers;
• Provide counseling and support to JPOs on work, training and career issues and advise managers on all aspects of the JPO programme; and
• Develop and manage UNFPA’s internship and young professional programme.
• Advise on and support the establishment of a CO security strategy and plan in line with UN procedures and requirements; and
• Ensure an ethics-based approach to the management of all human and financial resources.

E) Performs any other job-related duties as assigned by the UNFPA Representative or Regional Management Team required to ensure the success of the country programme.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education: Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or another related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities, including programme designing, appraising and management,
• Experience in humanitarian area is an asset
• 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 communication skills in speaking and writing in English to foster engaged partnerships at a high level of representation and to maintain political partnerships in the assigned country.
• Strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations; and,
• Field experience is a strong asset.

Languages: 

• Fluent in English is required, fluency in another UN language is an advantage.

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:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliance and partnerships
• Delivering results based programmes
• Creating visibility for the organization
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal/ external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Required Skill Set:

• Organizational Leadership and direction
• Strategically positioning UNFPA programmes in the country
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness
• Strengthening the programme and technical capacity of country offices
• Facilitating quality programmatic results

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. 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.