Level: NOC Type of Contract: Fixed Term Immediate Supervisor: Deputy Representative Vacancy Number: 011/2014 Duration: One year with possibility of extension
I. Organizational Context
The UNFPA Ethiopia Country Office is seeking to fill the post of National Programme Officer, Population and Development to strengthen the office’s role in supporting the Government efforts to ensure that population issues are central to national development initiatives to promote social economic development in the context of the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) through the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
The following objectives guide UNFPA’s activities in this area of work: (i) stimulate a better understanding among policy-makers of the importance of population-development linkages; (ii) integrate population dimensions into development strategies that fully reflect the individual needs of women, men, adolescents and youth; (iii) strengthen national data systems and analytical capabilities for policy formulation and for programme development as well as for monitoring and evaluation; (iv) undertake relevant and influential policy analyses and research; and (v) promote gender equity and women empowerment.
II. Main Responsibilities
The incumbent will report to the Assistant Representative, Population/Development and Gender, under the supervision of the Deputy Representative and the overall guidance of the Country Representative. The incumbent is expected to work closely with the entire programme team including those working in other sectors and also maintain constructive collaborative partnership with the Operations team. She/he will assist in the management of the Population and Development (PD) Programme Component, and support Implementing Partners in programme implementation.
The incumbent is expected to supervise programme staffs in the Population and Development unit, liaise with HQ and the Regional Office on programme and operations issues related to Population and Development, and liaise across other units for programme linkages. She/he will coordinate technical assistance provided by the Chief Technical Advisor and Technical Specialists under the Population and Development unit.
The incumbent will represent UNFPA in development partners and donor groups’ fora, national agencies and institutions involved in Population and Development issues (e.g. Central Statistical Agency, National Planning Commission, Vital Events Registration Agency), work closely with UNCT and UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on Population and Development issues, participate in various technical working groups involving NGOs, Civil Society Organizations.
In particular s/he is expected to perform the following tasks:
As head of the Unit, coordinate the development of Population and Development Annual Action Plan and contribute to the Office Management Plan (OMP);
Provide advice to the Senior Management Team and Units on Population and Development and their integration with the programme of the Country Office;
Provide guidance in the planning, design and implementation of programmes related to Population and Development as required;
Participate actively the development of national strategic frameworks and the Population and Development component of the UNDAF; In collaboration with Government counterparts, NGO and other partners, contribute to the formulation and design of the country programme and its component projects in line with Government priorities and according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures; Assess quality of programme /project design;
Analyze and interpret the political, social and economic environment relevant to population and development and identify opportunities for UNFPA assistance and interventions; Keep abreast of new policy development frameworks and prepare inputs for policy dialogues, technical assistance and development frameworks;
Assist in analyzing reports on programme and projects in terms of achieving results using existing monitoring and evaluation tools; Identify constraints and resource deficiency and recommend corrective action; Monitor projects’ expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery in line with approved project budgets and to realize target delivery levels;
Assist in expending and coordination project implementation through the establishment of collaborative relationships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies facilitating timely and efficient delivery of project inputs and addressing training needs of project personnel;
Play a leadership role to create and document knowledge about current and emerging Population and Development trends, by analyzing programmes, projects, strategies, approaches, and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices and knowledge sharing and planning future strategies;
Play an active role in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the country office by preparing relevant documentation i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles and participating in donor meetings and public information events;
Perform other related activities as assigned by the supervisor and/or senior management team.
Job Requirement
Academic Requirements: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in demography, sociology, development studies, geography, political science and international relations, disaster management, public health, or equivalent education and work experience in related fields.
Experience:
A minimum of eight (8) years progressively responsible professional experience in planning, implementing, and coordinating Population and/or PD programmes and services, of which three (3) years at least should be in international organizations involved in Population and/or PD programming.
Broad knowledge of international reproductive health, population and development, data for development issues with specific attention to gender-aware and gender-sensitive approaches and issues in reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and adolescent reproductive health.
Languages: Fluency in oral and written English. Another UN language would be an asset.
Computer skills: Proficiency in current office software applications.
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 Thinking analytically and strategically Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships Communicating for impact
Managerial Competencies:
Providing strategic focus, Engaging staff and partners Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance Making decisions and exercise judgment
Skills Set: Advocacy /advancing a policy-oriented agenda Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships Delivering results based programmes Internal and external communication and resource mobilization Global Focus Strategically positioning UNFPA Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness Providing a technical support system Strengthening the capacity of country offices Facilitating quality programme results External and internal communication and advocacy for resources mobilization