Programme Coordinator, EmpowerED; Gender, Human Rights & Inclusion Branch, Programme Division – P4  

The Position:

The EmpowerED programme, funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to ensure that adolescents and youth have enhanced and equal enjoyment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), bodily autonomy, and a life free from violence. This is achieved through comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programmes that are linked to SRHR and GBV services, fostering an enabling environment with inclusive policies both in and out of school.

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:

The EmpowerED Programme Coordinator will lead the overall coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the EmpowerED programme, ensuring that all activities are aligned with UNFPA’s strategic goals and the specific objectives of the programme. The Programme Manager will provide technical and strategic leadership, fostering partnerships and ensuring effective communication and advocacy efforts. 

The role requires collaboration with UNFPA country offices, regional offices, other UN agencies, donors, and partners to achieve desired outcomes.

The EmpowerED Programme Coordinator will be responsible for: 

1. Programme Management and Coordination:

• Develop and execute annual work plans, budgets, and monitoring frameworks for the EmpowerED programme, ensuring timely and effective implementation of activities.
• Provide strategic direction in the implementation of the EmpowerED programme, ensuring coherence and alignment with UNFPA’s Strategic Plan, EmpowerED Result-Based Framework and the strategic institutional priorities.
• Coordinate with UNFPA country offices, regional offices, and headquarters, as well as with other UN agencies, donors, and implementing partners, to ensure integrated and collaborative programme delivery.

2. Capacity Building:

• Provide guidance to country offices and partners on CSE, SRHR, and GBV, ensuring that all activities are evidence-based and adhere to international standards.
• Lead capacity-building efforts for UNFPA staff, government counterparts, and implementing partners, focusing on effective CSE programme design, implementation, monitoring and learning.
• Develop and disseminate technical guidance, tools, and resources to support the integration of gender-transformative CSE into national education systems and community-based programmes.
• Promote south-south learning platforms to increase opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking. 

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Oversee the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation processes and reporting to assess the impact of the EmpowerED programme on SRHR and GBV outcomes.
• Maintain systematic and regular data collection, analysis, and reporting on programme performance, including progress towards targets and outcomes, identifying lessons learned and best practices.
• Analyse data to determine areas of progress, challenges and catalytic factors for programming. 
• Develop communications packages to report on progress key highlights and best practices across the programme. 
• Prepare high-quality reports for donors, senior management, and other stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability in programme delivery.

4. Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships:

• Lead advocacy efforts to promote the integration of CSE into national education policies and GBV prevention strategies, engaging with government officials, civil society, and other key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with UN agencies, donors, NGOs and CSOs, and other relevant actors to leverage resources and expertise for the EmpowerED programme, including youth-led and women-led organizations.
• Represent UNFPA in inter-agency fora, working groups, and other platforms, advocating for the importance of CSE in achieving SRHR outcomes, gender equality and preventing GBV.
• Ensure a permanent political and environmental scanning to facilitate the overall implementation of the programme.

5. Communication and Knowledge Management:

• Oversee development and implementation of the communication strategy to enhance the visibility and impact of the EmpowerED programme, including the creation of advocacy materials, case studies, and success stories.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the EmpowerED programme team and among partners, establishing platforms for exchanging best practices and lessons learned.
• Ensure that all communication materials and knowledge products are aligned with UNFPA’s brand and strategic priorities.

6. Risk Management and Compliance:

• Identify and manage risks associated with the implementation of the EmpowerED programme, developing mitigation strategies and ensuring compliance with UNFPA policies and donor requirements.
• Ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with UNFPA’s ethical standards and principles, including gender equality, non-discrimination, and respect for human rights.
• Prepare mitigation strategies for identified risks during the implementation of the programme.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public health, social sciences, education, international development, gender studies, or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 7 years of professional experience in managing and implementing development programmes, with a focus on SRHR, CSE, and GBV prevention.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining partnerships with governments, UN agencies, donors, and civil society organizations.
• Strong understanding of gender equality, SRHR, and GBV issues, with experience in applying gender-transformative approaches and human rights-based approaches in programme design and implementation.
• Knowledge and experience working on CSE including in curriculum development, and gender-transformative education.
• Knowledge and experience in conducting political and environmental scanning.

   

Skills:

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data and evidence into actionable recommendations.
• Outstanding communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.
• Capacity to work in multidisciplinary teams and promote consensus.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office software, including data analysis and project management tools.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another official UN language 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 
• Commitment to UNFPA’s values and guiding principles
• Developing People, Fostering Innovation and Empowerment, Performance Management
• Knowledge Sharing, Continuous Learning 

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
• Job Knowledge, Technical Expertise
• Managing data, information and reports
• Managing financial processes

   

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus cost-of-living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, 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.

To view the complete job description and apply to this position, click “Apply Now” below.

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