National Consultant to Coordinate and Lead the Elaboration Process of the UNFPA Guinea-Bissau Country Programme Document (CPD) 2027–2031

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a UN agency established to promote reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of young people. UNFPA aims to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, working closely with governments, civil society, and other UN agencies to advance development goals. UNFPA has a significant presence in Guinea-Bissau, where it collaborates with various stakeholders to implement programs that address critical issues related to sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and population data for development planning. The agency's mission is to support countries in achieving their development objectives through evidence-based policies and programs, and it has been actively involved in Guinea-Bissau's development initiatives for several years.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in coordinating and leading the development of the UNFPA Guinea-Bissau Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2027–203

• This position requires a comprehensive understanding of UNFPA's strategic goals and the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations, and youth representatives. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the CPD is developed through a participatory process that incorporates evidence-based insights and aligns with national development priorities and global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultant will oversee all phases of the CPD elaboration process, from inception and planning to drafting and validation, ensuring that the final document reflects the needs and aspirations of the population of Guinea-Bissau while adhering to UNFPA's corporate standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities will encompass several key phases: 1) Inception and Planning: Develop a detailed work plan and timeline for the CPD elaboration process, review relevant corporate guidance, establish the internal CPD Core Team, and identify key stakeholders. 2) Situational and Strategic Analysis: Conduct a thorough review of existing analytical documents, identify gaps and opportunities related to UNFPA's transformative results, and facilitate consultations with stakeholders to validate findings. 3) Drafting the CPD: Lead the drafting of the CPD, ensuring alignment with UNFPA's strategic plan and national priorities, and integrate gender, youth, and human rights perspectives. 4) Validation and Finalization: Organize stakeholder consultations and validation workshops, integrate feedback, and finalize the CPD document. 5) Coordination and Reporting: Document all stages of the CPD preparation process, produce progress reports, and summarize activities and lessons learned in a final consultancy report.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in development studies, social sciences, public policy, economics, demography, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development planning, program management, or policy analysis is required. Proven experience in coordinating or drafting strategic frameworks, Country Programme Documents, or similar planning instruments for UN agencies or international organizations is essential. Candidates should have strong knowledge of UN programming principles, the SDGs, and the UNFPA Strategic Plan, as well as familiarity with Guinea-Bissau’s development context and national policies. Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and high-level coordination is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields such as development studies, social sciences, public policy, economics, demography, or a related discipline. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of development planning and policy analysis, which are central to the role of the consultant.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development planning, program management, or policy analysis. Candidates should have a proven track record of coordinating or drafting strategic frameworks, Country Programme Documents, or similar planning instruments for UN agencies or international organizations. This level of experience is essential to ensure that the consultant can effectively lead the CPD elaboration process and engage with various stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau.

Languages:
Proficiency in Portuguese is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of English. Knowledge of French is considered an asset. These language skills are important for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of documents that may need to be shared with international partners.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is a full-time position based at the UNFPA Country Office in Bissau, with a duration of 5 months. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Youth Programme Analyst and will maintain regular communication with the UNFPA West and Central Africa Regional Office. UNFPA will provide an office workspace and access to relevant documentation, while the consultant is expected to use their own laptop and communication tools. Any travel related to the assignment will be covered by UNFPA in accordance with their policies.