Head of Office

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to ensure that every individual has access to reproductive health services and the ability to make informed choices about their bodies and lives. The organization is committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, with a mission to end gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plans are designed to address complex global challenges and promote sustainable development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. UNFPA employs thousands of staff worldwide, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and communities through evidence-based policies and programs.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office will oversee the management of the UNFPA sub-office in Myitkyina, providing technical, operational, and coordination oversight for the integrated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) program in the Northeast States of Myanmar. This role requires close collaboration with local and regional authorities, non-state actors, humanitarian and development agencies, and civil society organizations to ensure effective GBV coordination. The Head of Office will report directly to the Deputy Representative and will be responsible for leading the implementation of UNFPA's Fourth Country Programme Document, which focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population dynamics. The position demands a strategic approach to program planning, coordination, and implementation, ensuring that UNFPA's objectives are met while fostering partnerships and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme Planning, Coordination, and Implementation: Analyze the socio-economic, political, humanitarian, and development situation in Northeast State to identify opportunities for UNFPA programming and partnerships. Provide guidance and manage overall programme development and implementation, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and humanitarian supply chain management. Assist in the effective coordination and coherence of programmes and projects, ensuring consistency with established UN frameworks. Support capacity building of national counterparts and partners by identifying needs and facilitating training sessions. Contribute to the analysis and incorporation of ICPD issues into emergency preparedness and response approaches.
• Field Office Management: Ensure the smooth day-to-day management of the Myitkyina Field Office, fostering teamwork and a results-oriented environment. Manage financial and other resources attributed to the Field Office, performing quality assurance reviews of documentation and transactions. Identify ways to integrate efficiency gains and cost reductions in all operations. Directly manage Field Office support staff, monitor their performance, and ensure timely reporting on office operations and programmatic achievements. Ensure security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security needs of the office and projects are met, enforcing security procedures and mitigating potential risks.
• Representation, Coordination, and Partnership Building: Represent UNFPA with counterparts at various levels, including state, region, and local levels, as well as with the UN Local Team, donors, and other partners. Offer coordination assistance to UN Agencies and partners by supporting local consultation mechanisms. Conduct mapping of stakeholders and health service facilities relevant for GBV and RH response and prevention, and establish inter-agency GBV and RH technical working groups. Liaise with GBV staff and gender advisors in other agencies for coherent GBV programme intervention.
• Communication and Advocacy: Maximize communication within the Field Office and ensure consistent communication with all stakeholders. Monitor the perception of UNFPA at the local level and suggest media activities to enhance UNFPA's visibility as a partner for sustainable development. Lead the development of advocacy and communication materials, including human interest stories and press releases on humanitarian/emergency-related work.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in medical science, public health, social work, humanitarian studies, management, or other related fields is required. In lieu of an advanced degree, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) combined with a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience may be accepted. A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience at the national and/or international level is required, with a strong commitment to the mandate of the UN and UNFPA in Myanmar. Candidates should have field experience addressing gender and reproductive health issues in emergency and post-conflict contexts, knowledge of gender issues in development, and operational experience implementing UNSC resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security. Excellent computer literacy and experience in developing and delivering GBV training components are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as medical science, public health, social work, humanitarian studies, management, or other related social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned fields combined with a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience may be accepted. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage and implement UNFPA's programs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a Master’s degree or 4 years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. This experience should be at the national and/or international level, demonstrating a strong commitment to the UN and UNFPA's mandate in Myanmar. Candidates should have field experience in addressing gender and reproductive health issues, particularly in emergency and post-conflict contexts, and should be familiar with international human rights standards and operational advocacy related to GBV and RH.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English and Myanmar is essential, with the ability to write clearly and concisely and to compose correspondence and documents in both languages. The ability to communicate in local languages spoken in the Northeast state is desirable, as it will facilitate better engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics.