Programme Coordinator – P4  

The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative, the Programme Coordinator plays the leading role in the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA country programme, both the development and the humanitarian, and is responsible for the day-to-day guidance on the implementation of the programme. Programme Coordinator posts at this level are typically found in-country offices categorized as having (1) a highly complex operating environment, (2) important programme/political partnership engagement and/or (3) regional engagement. The Programme Coordinator will also supervise Country Office staff as detailed in the organization chart.  

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 new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices with humanitarian action as one of the major outputs.

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 program results.

Job Purpose:

In close collaboration with the UNFPA Representative, the UNFPA Programme Coordinator 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 SDGs, thus ensuring national ownership.   S/He is primarily responsible for the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA Country programme, projecting the programme and prioirties, 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 while integrating humanitarian response using the Nexus.  The Programme Coordinator 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 Programme Coordinator serves as OIC in 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:

Programme Leadership – Ensures quality development and delivery of integrated technical    and programmatic support that meets country needs and achieve 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 on the basis of 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 regional strategic programme plan; 
• Assess additional resource requirements for the Country Programme and propose strategies to get them;
• Ensure continuous feedback to the RO 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 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;
• Catalyse 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 guide programme implementation with solid, substantive oversight and effective programme representation;
• Establish quality standards for project development and delivery with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in the office and in consultation with the Regional Advisor; 
• Oversee 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
• Formulate and oversee implementation of responses to new emerging humanitarian emergencies.

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 strengthen the resilience of national systems to respond to shocks,
• Create/improve national capacities to monitor, evaluate and learn from capacity development initiatives.

Partnerships and Advocacy – Enhances 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 nontraditional 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 Cooperation Framework exercises in the country as part of broader UN Reform initiatives; and
• Participate in the sector-wide approach (SWAP) activities in the health and protection sectors as appropriate.  

Resources Management – Ensures 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;

• Lead the formulation of the annual work plans and monitor the implementation through consultations, correspondence and field visits; 
• Propose and distribute annual allocations for the country programme, and ensure the efficient and effective use of such resources in compliance with country programme priorities and 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 HQ and the RO, additional financial resources for the country; 
• Assist in formulation and implementation of the office communication strategy and the annual plans
• 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 and technical 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 CPD and the CPM 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;
• Provide counselling 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 as applicable;
• Ensure an ethics-based approach to management of all human and financial resources.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the UNFPA Representative required to ensure the success of the country programme.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

Master’s degree/ 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:

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities, including programme designing, appraising and management,
• Experience in humanitarian programming
• 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 Arabic is an advantage

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in current office software applications.

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