UNFPA: Emergency Project Management Associate – Conakry

Organization Mission

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health matters. Its mission is to create a world in which every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe. A world in which every young person realizes their full potential. The new UNFPA strategic plan (2022-2025) is built around three transformative results: i) ending preventable maternal deaths; ii) ending unmet need for family planning; and iii) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices against women & girls.

Context

UNFPA has been active in Guinea for several decades. The central office is based in Conakry and the three zone sub-offices are located in Labé, Kankan, and Nzérékoré, with focal points present in Kindia and Mamou.

The Republic of Guinea and the United Nations Population Fund have developed the 9th Cooperation Programme for the 2024-2028 period. This Cooperation Programme stems from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024-2028, which is aligned with the Interim Reference Plan 2022-2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2022-2025. It was developed through a participatory process involving the various departments of the Ministries of Planning and International Cooperation, Health, Youth and Women”s Promotion, Local Authorities, civil society organizations, the UN System, bilateral cooperation, universities, and beneficiaries (youth, women, and people with disabilities).

In line with national priorities, the vision of the country programme is that by 2028, adolescents and youth, and marginalized and more vulnerable people, especially those with disabilities and women in rural areas, will benefit from better access to an integrated package of quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services, including Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC), Adolescent/Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH), and prevention and management of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful practices, particularly female genital mutilation and child marriage, in order to maximize return on investment in accelerating the achievement of the three transformative results. Furthermore, it contributes to the implementation of the joint project (UNFPA-UNICEF) for the elimination of female genital mutilation.

This United Nations Volunteer (UNV) assignment is part of an UNFPA project based in Guinea: “Enhance access to maternal and neonatal health services and the fight against GBV through digitalization of Integrated Diagnostic and Treatment System Optimized for Remote Healthcare in Guinea in a humanitarian context (recurrent floods and ongoing epidemics, i.e. Mpox, measles)”.

This project was developed based on the health and environmental events that Guinea experienced in 2025, notably floods and the MPOX epidemic. These two events affected Greater Conakry and 13 other health districts in the country, causing at least 50 deaths, mainly due to the floods.

This project is financed by the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB) for the 2026 fiscal year for a duration of 12 months and will be implemented by the Guinea country team in partnership with the SOIK Japan group.

Key Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the UNFPA Country Representative a.i and the direct supervision of the designated Project Coordinator, the UN Volunteer Project Officer will be responsible for:

1. Planning and Implementation:
– Support the development of quarterly work plans for activities planned under the project;
– Contribute to the planning and implementation of interventions and ensure control, quality assurance, and monitoring of project activities.

2. Technical and Financial Monitoring:
– In collaboration with the UNFPA and SOIK monitoring and evaluation team, develop a project monitoring and evaluation plan integrating indicators;
– Collect and analyze technical and financial data and information related to the project;
– Prepare semi-annual and annual project reports with stakeholders;
– Participate in various project-related meetings and disseminate reports;
– Support the project review, with the participation of all stakeholders, to report on activities and results achieved, identify best practices and lessons learned, and agree on post-project monitoring arrangements, if applicable;
– Support the quality assurance of the final project report and propose a post-project monitoring plan.

All these elements will be integrated into the final project report. In collaboration with the project team, prepare the progress report and the final report to be submitted to the Japanese Government in accordance with UNFPA monitoring and evaluation guidelines.

Expected Results:

As an active member of the UNFPA Guinea team, the volunteer provides effective, timely, responsive, client-oriented, and high-quality support to UNFPA and its beneficiaries in the performance of duties within the project, including:
– Improved results-based programming: Contribution to UNFPA Guinea”s efforts to achieve the following results under the project:
– Increased access to essential sexual and reproductive health services through the use of the mobile clinic;
– Capacity building of 20 midwives on the multisectoral prevention and response system for gender-based violence, as well as the use of digitalization kits, is realized;
– Enhanced coordination and communication through technical support for the development of quarterly plans and project reports, knowledge management, sharing of lessons learned from project results, as well as information and communication activities aimed at ensuring the visibility of the support provided by the Japanese government and the communication of results.
– Capacity development through coaching, mentoring, and continuous on-the-job training during collaboration with national staff and healthcare providers (including supervision), particularly implementing partners, is ensured.
– The age, gender, and diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities carried out within the assignment and a final report is drafted on volunteering achievements for data management in emergency situations during the assignment.

Required Skills and Experience

– At least five (5) years of national and/or international professional experience in Humanitarian project management, in the field of monitoring and evaluation, project management, including with Governmental Structures, or other relevant programmes; experience in a humanitarian context in the preparatory or response phase is an asset, as is work experience at the UN or another international development organization;
– Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and report-writing skills;
– Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
– Excellent interpersonal skills; cultural and social sensitivity; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; knowledge of communication for development tools and approaches;
– Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a difficult environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national staff;
– Solid general knowledge of computers, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/Internet; familiarity with database management; and office equipment;
– Self-motivation, ability to work with minimal supervision; ability to work under tight deadlines;
– Good security awareness;
– Interest in sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, volunteerism as a sustainable development mechanism, and the United Nations system.

Core Competencies

– Adaptability and flexibility
– Creativity
– Judgment and decision-making
– Planning and organizing
– Professionalism
– Self-management

Living Conditions

Guinea is located in West Africa and its capital is Conakry, which is the largest city and the main center of financial and economic activities, with a high population density. Climate: Guinea generally has a tropical monsoon climate, with a rainy season followed by a dry season. The dry season is influenced by the harmattan. The average temperature is 29°C to 30°C; the rainy season is from June to October. Population: The population of Guinea is approximately 12,093,349 inhabitants. The population of Guinea contains about 24 different ethnic groups, with the Fula (Peuls) constituting 40% of the population. Other ethnic groups include the Mandinka, Susu, Kissi, Kpelle, and non-African groups. Religion: About 85% of the population is Muslim. Other religions practiced in the country are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and others. Security: Guinea is generally a safe country to visit, but it is worth noting persistent socio-political moments and cases of crime, especially in Conakry. It is wise not to travel at night since armed robbery has increased in the south. Please refer to the security guidelines provided by the UNDSS Office. Currency: The local currency is the Guinean Franc (GNF). 1 GNF = 0.0001 USD. Health: Continued attention is observed regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking all priority vaccines is required.