Organization Mission

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is the lead United Nations agency for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights with a priority focus on women and young people.The overall vision of the new 8th Country Programme (2022-2026) is to improve the health and well-being of women, young people; vulnerable and marginalized groups in Zimbabwe by ensuring universal access to quality integrated SRHR information and services in an enabling environment. This will contribute to the attainment of the three transformative results in UNFPA’s Global Strategic Plan: Zero unmet need for family planning, Zero preventable maternal deaths, Zero gender-based violence, and the East and Southern Africa regional priority of ending sexual transmission of HIV.

Context

The UNV will support implementation of the UNFPA Zimbabwe’s 8th Country Programme country programme (2022-2026). Focus of the assignment is on supporting the integration of SRHR, GBV, Population and Development and youth into climate action. Zimbabwe is prone to natural hazards with extreme events such as droughts and river flooding being the most severe. It also experiences cyclones, heatwaves, heavy rains accompanied by flash floods, strong winds and hailstorms, and epidemics. Zimbabwe is also vulnerable to the compound risk of food insecurity, which is linked to extreme weather events and low agricultural output. Its vulnerability is worsened by the unpredictable socio-economic environment, aid dependency and inequalities.

The rapid pace of climate change poses a key threat to the vision of human-centered sustainable development, and to the attainment of UNFPA’s three transformative results by 2030, both directly and indirectly. Climate hazards disrupt the provision and use of SRHR services, lead to an upsurge in gender-based violence and disproportionately affect women and girls, children, older persons and other vulnerable groups. Given UNFPA’s work in Zimbabwe, strengthening the linkages between SRHR, P&D, Gender and Youth and climate change-related efforts is critical in addressing the impact of climate-related emergencies on sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, child marriage and other harmful practices.

The UNV will drive the implementation of sustainable interventions that mainstream climate change across UNFPA’s mandate. By participating in programme design at both national and community levels, the UNV will ensure that SRHR, Gender, and Youth priorities are central to Zimbabwe’s climate adaptation and response strategies

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Dadirai Nguwo or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:Advocacy
● Advocate for the integration of GBV,SRHR, P&D, Adolescents and Youth into climate change initiatives and raise awareness among policymakers and the public about the importance of this connection.
● Advocate for inclusion of GBV,SRHR, P&D, Adolescents and Youth in national climate change adaptation plans, recognizing that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls and their reproductive health.

Programme implementation, monitoring and reporting
● Support programmes SRHR, Gender, P & D, Adolescents and Youth and Population and data in the planning, implementation, monitoring and review of climate action related interventions.
● Develop tools/products to integrate population, youth, and gender issues in climate change programmes, where feasible, and based on UNFPA’s comparative advantage.
● Support strengthening of health systems to be more resilient to climate-related shocks and stresses, ensuring the continuity of SRHR services during and after climate-related events.
● Identify possible areas of integrating climate change in ongoing interventions being implemented by the Country Office
● Support in Identifying and engaging new stakeholders and developing existing networks and partnerships at national, regional and national level.
● Support research and data collection to better understand the links between climate change and SRHR, Gender, P & D, Adolescents and Youth and Population and data to inform future programming.
● Support coordination with other partners, including UN Agencies, Development Partners and Government Counterparts on climate action including attending Working Group meetings.

Support knowledge sharing and visibility
● Contribute to communication and visibility work including through co-developing age-appropriate messages and success stories on climate action.
● Identify innovations/ new ways of working better to improve programme support and delivery.

Support innovation and resource mobilization efforts
● Secure funding and resources to support SRHR, Gender, P & D, Adolescents and Youth and Population and data programs that address climate change impacts.
● Participate in scanning for resource mobilisation opportunities and contributes to developing concept notes and ideas.
● Support drafting of proposals and concept notes on SRHR, Gender, Youth and climate action.
● Any other related tasks and activities as may be required or assigned by the supervisor

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute with articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNFPA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNFPA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

Mainstreaming & Strategic Integration:
• Institutionalization of climate-risk mitigation across the Country Office by integrating climate-vulnerability data and adaptation strategies into 100% of the Zimbabwe 8th Country Programme’s thematic areas.
• Mainstreaming climate-resilience indicators into all Implementing Partner (IP) Workplans, ensuring field-level activities are equipped to protect women and girls during climate-induced shocks.

Evidence-Based Advocacy & Documentation:
• Developed and disseminated evidence-based Policy Briefs and success stories that demonstrate the intersection of climate change with the ICPD Programme of Action, providing a roadmap for climate-resilient SRHR and GBV programming.
• Strengthened UNFPA’s thought leadership by documenting how environmental shifts impact the achievement of the Three Transformative Results in the specific context of Zimbabwe.

Strategic Information & Data Analytics:
• Generated high-quality Strategic Information and Population Data that correlates climate hazards (droughts, floods, heatwaves) with maternal health, family planning, and GBV trends to identify vulnerability hotspots.
• Established a data-driven evidence base to inform national disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies, ensuring they are responsive to the sexual and reproductive health needs of displaced and climate-affected populations.

Resource Mobilization & Partnerships:
• Contribute to the drafting of high-value funding proposals and concept notes that explicitly map the nexus between climate hazards and UNFPA’s mandate, successfully positioning the agency to access climate-specific financing (e.g., Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund).
• Enhanced strategic partnerships with climate and environmental actors to ensure the protection of women and girls is prioritized in national climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Required Skills and Experience

• An understanding of the impact of climate change on SRHR and experience in integrating climate adaptation strategies into SRHR programs.
• Experience in humanitarian work covering health, gender and adolescents and young people, population and development.
• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, or area related to climate change and health; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
• At least 2 – 3years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in climate change, SRHR, GBV, P & D, Adolescents and Youth or other relevant programmes; as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4×4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete)
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in SRHR, GBV, P & D, Adolescents and youth issues, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNFPA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNFPA in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNFPA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

Zimbabwe is in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is local Zimbabwean dollars and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare.

Harare is a cosmopolitan town full of culture and history. It has over a million residents and a large UN agency presence. The Security Level in Harare is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system in Zimbabwe. There are no major security challenges to UN operations in Harare. However, individuals must be on the alert as crime, mainly robberies, house break-ins and smash & grab thefts from motor vehicles at traffic lights and road accidents are some of the increasing risks to the UN in Zimbabwe.

Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Harare. House rentals and prices differ depending on size and location. You should always check with the UNDSS Security Advisor on recommended areas. Ensure that the property has a prolific borehole with a water tank in place. The Zimbabwe online classifieds website http://www.classifieds.co.zw/ or http://www.classifieds.co.zw/category/222/Houses-to-Rent.html provides a comprehensive and updated listing of properties for rent in and around Harare.
Because of limited public transport options, it is recommended that the UNV has a driver’s license, although it is not a requirement for the assignment.