Assistant Representative United Nations Population Fund (UFPA)

Role Specification

The Assistant Representative will support the Deputy Representative to lead the programme team, translate the global, regional and country goals to deliver results at the country level through quality programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, while promoting knowledge management approaches and practices. The Assistant Representative will support the Representative and Deputy Representative in the following areas:

• Programme Leadership
• National Capacity Development
• Advocacy
• Resource Mobilization and Partnerships

Rotation

This post is non-rotational.

Background Information

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 focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and other harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, UNFPA needs principled and ethical staff, who embody the 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; who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them; and who commit to deliver excellence in operations and programme results.

Organizational Setting

Under the guidance of the UNFPA Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Assistant Representative plays a dual role, of supporting the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA country programme as well as supporting UNFPA’s participation in the delivering as One modality in Zambia. S/he establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts to address emerging issues and to facilitate programme delivery.

The Assistant Representative will be instrumental in fostering collaboration with national counterpart in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society partners, to address emerging issues and to facilitate programme delivery. The Assistant representative will serve as a member of the senior management team within the country office, working closely with the Deputy representative and the Representative, as well as the Operations manager.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

Programme Leadership

Support country programme design, implementation, monitoring and reporting with appropriate guidance and orientation of implementing partners on effective modalities and practices.
Act as UNFPA liaison with the Government, civil society and other relevant stakeholders on national priorities; and proactively provides the country office management with timely information to guide CO actions within the national context.
Contribute to CO areas of technical assistance, strategic partnerships and innovation on the basis of continuous review and analysis of national trends, demographic and socio-economic data
Contribute to development of staff member portfolios to facilitate capacity building and guide programme implementation with engagements in substantive oversight and effective programme management;
Promote knowledge management practices, including continuous learning, documenting innovative strategies, lessons learned, best practices, and supports the CO to advocate for scaling up successful interventions with national partners and Regional office using south-south cooperation and
Provide mentorship and coaching support to staff members with a focus on improving staff performance towards delivery of measurable programme results within a cohesive team.
Participate in formulation, implementation and review of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and contribute to the UN system wide policy coherence through participation in policy dialogues, thematic groups and joint programmes.

National Capacity Development

Support the UNFPA Representative, and the Deputy Representative to implement a strategy for capacity development at national and sub-national levels within the context of the global and regional strategies
Facilitate the creation of an enabling environment within relevant national institutions to advance the implementation of the ICPD agenda;
Support development of national institutional and technical capacities to monitor, evaluate and learn from relevant capacity development initiatives and

Advocacy

Support the CO efforts to advocate for ICPD agenda and incorporation of UNFPA’s three transformative results within national plans, policies and programmes in line with national priorities;
Support the country office to maintain a continuous flow of information with government, development partners as well as UN agencies through the DaO modality
Support the staff with appropriate guidance, to engage in the broader UN Reform agenda and development partner coordination as appropriate

Resource mobilization and partnerships

Support the CO engagements with government, donors and development partners on priority investments required for the achievement of the three transformative results in Zambia
Support the CO resource mobilization efforts by coordinating the development and implementation of the Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy and facilitating the documentation of best practices in resource mobilization and partnerships establishment
Support CO efforts to leverage resources from government and development partners to expand the financing base for the ICPD Programme of Action in Zambia
Support the CO management of funds (core and non-core) to ensure efficient utilization and reporting

Perform any other duties as assigned by the UNFPA Representative, Deputy Representative, Regional Office management or Headquarters

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Public Health, Sociology, Demography, Statistics, Development, Studies or other related social science field

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the fields of SRHR, population and development, economics and/or gender, preferably in programme design, appraisal and management
• Excellent organization skills, attention to detail, precision and accuracy;
• Demonstrated ability to refine programme design and 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 to foster 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;
• Knowledge of the UN system would be an advantage;
• Experience in a humanitarian or crisis context is an asset.Languages:

Fluency in English is required

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• 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

Managerial Competencies:

Providing strategic focus
Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders
Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
Making decisions and exercising judgment

UN Leadership Characteristics:

Norm-based – grounded in UN norms and standards
Principled – defends norms and standards without discrimination, fear or favor
Inclusive of all personnel and stakeholders
Accountable
Multi-dimensional
Transformational
Collaborative
Self-applied – modelled in our own behavior

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer

WARNING TO APPLICANTS: UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter or offer that makes use of the name or logo of UNFPA, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline