Policy and Advocacy Specialist – P3  

The Position:

The Policy and Advocacy Specialist position is with UNFPA Nordic Representation Office (NRO) which is part of the HQ-based Division of Communications and Strategic Partnerships (DCS). The Nordic Representation Office serves to liaise and advocate with key partners including governments / Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs), Parliamentarians (MPs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, academia, media, and citizens in the Nordic for the purpose of continued and increased political and financial support to UNFPA and the UNFPA mandate.

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 on 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 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:

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Nordic Representation Office, the Policy & Advocacy Specialist is responsible for providing strategic guidance, oversight, and support to position, advocate, and fundraise for UNFPA in the Nordic countries. The Policy & Advocacy Specialist is responsible for proactively initiating policy, advocacy, and awareness raising outreach in the Nordic region targeted at decision-makers and key partners; for expanding and deepening strategic partnerships; and for UNFPA NRO being always an active, engaged, and responsive partner vis-à-vis both existing key partners and potential new partners.

You would be responsible for:

Advocacy for UNFPA mission and mandate

• Follow and identify opportunities to influence policy development in the Nordics on SRHR and other issues under the UNFPA mission and mandate.
• Follow policy developments on Nordic priority topics in international development (climate change, persons with disabilities, humanitarian response, food security, etc.) and advocate for linkages to SRHR. 
• Lead, conceptualize, and organize UNFPA NRO advocacy and outreach events in the Nordic countries for and with key partners. 
• Conceptualize, plan, and implement UNFPA NRO’s messaging and communication efforts.
• Provide analysis and updates to HQ on relevant developments in the Nordics including annual Nordic budgets, policy priorities, and outcomes of national elections / changes in government. 
• Advise, plan and support UNFPA senior management, other leadership, and staff missions to the Nordics.
• Advise, plan and support field visits for Nordic Ministers, MPs, government/MFA officials, and other key partners to UNFPA field operations or HQ 

Outreach and communication

• Advise, coordinate, and collaborate on effective messaging, positioning and strategy with other UN agencies present in UNCity and partner NGOs, to reach and involve MPs, government / MFAs, and civil society. 
• Conceptualize and organize publicity events for annual launches of State of World Population Report in the five Nordic countries with key partners.
• Respond urgently and thoroughly to all requests for information, data, or contacts, and to suggestions for joint activities from Nordic key partners. 
• Develop and maintain contacts with government officials, NGOs, academia, and other key partners to identify opportunities and vehicles to communicate and advocate with these constituencies.
• Review Nordic partner activities, events, and travels with potential synergy for UNFPA. 
• Support the management of HM The Queen of Denmark’s patronage of UNFPA and the collaboration with the Royal Court including on field visits, events, and media.
• Share information on Humanitarian Appeals with Nordic partners. 
• Draft presentations, briefing notes and talking points for the Chief, NRO. 
• Represent UNFPA on behalf of the NRO Director in meetings, events, presentations.  
• Design and keep updated Donor Profiles for Nordic Countries including overview of co-financed projects by the Nordics. 
• Liaise with Country or Regional Offices for Nordic outreach and communication. 
• Support the maintenance of NRO social media activities.

Media collaboration

• Ensure media coverage of UNFPA results and mandate. 
• Draft pieces for media in the name(s) of UNFPA leadership, ministers, MPs and / or NGO leadership; draft or translate PRs, work to place when finalized.
• Secure interview opportunities with UNFPA leadership when visiting the Nordics, secure Nordic media participation in media field visits).
• Develop background and information material for activities with media presence including field visits, launches of State of World Population report etc. 

Coordination

• Liaise proactively and as necessary with DCS colleagues across three branches and other HQ colleagues to ensure alignment on all the above with UNFPA HQ / DCS.
• Lead UNFPA NRO work on Country Engagement Strategies by drafting annual strategies for five Nordic countries, organizing coordination meetings with RMB, MCB, and SPB, and ensuring adequate follow-up on implementation. 
• Conceptualize / identify, quality assure, and organize logistics around “products to empower”; visibility products primarily made by UNFPA CO-associated women’s groups imported for sale and awareness raising in UNCity shop.
• Counsel UNFPA staff at HQ and around the globe who have inquiries or need information about the Nordics.
• Participate as needed in recurrent conference calls with DCS branches.
• Finance and administration
• Oversee NRO annual budget / expenses, including UNCity annual budgets.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Social sciences, public administration, public health, international relations or other related disciplines is required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years including international experience in the field of policy, advocacy and sexual and reproductive health and rights. 
• Understanding of Nordic ODA context, in particular as relates to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Skills in building strategic alliances and partnerships. 
• Experience in conceptualizing, planning and leading advocacy events and activities with MPs, government ministries, civil society, academia and private sector partners.
• Strong analytical and writing skills for internal audiences, media and other stakeholders.
• Experience in representing an organization to a broad range of stakeholders, including strong presentation skills to diverse audiences.
• Technical and programme / field experience in sexual and reproductive health is preferred.
• Experience in resource mobilization and partnership coordination is a strong asset.
• Initiative, excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in teams with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational skills and experience in office management, including planning, budgeting, and monitoring is preferred.
• Ability to self-manage, work under pressure, prioritize and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently to observe deadlines and achieve set goals.
• Familiarity with the UN system.  
• Proven ability to apply creativity and innovation.  

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Fluency and working knowledge of one or more Nordic languages is an asset.

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,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda 
• Leveraging support of donor governments and partners / building strategic alliances  and partnerships 
• Delivering results 
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for 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.

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.

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