Assistant Representative

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, with a mission to promote the right of every woman, man, and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. The organization is committed to addressing issues related to population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender equality, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Representative plays a crucial role in the UNFPA's mission by establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with various stakeholders, including government entities, donor agencies, and civil society organizations. This position is pivotal in facilitating program delivery in alignment with the Country Programme and the strategic guidance provided by the Representative. The Assistant Representative is responsible for both internal coordination within the UNFPA Country Office and external representation at the political level when delegated. This role requires a deep understanding of the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the ability to translate its objectives into actionable work plans. The Assistant Representative will lead the program team, ensuring that UNFPA's activities in population and development, youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence are effectively planned and managed. The position demands a proactive approach to providing evidence-based information to support strategic decision-making and to ensure that the organization's goals are met efficiently and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Representative is tasked with a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include: demonstrating mastery of the Country Programme Document (CPD) and ensuring its integration into annual work plans; assessing technical assistance needs in areas such as population and development, youth empowerment, and gender issues; providing substantive inputs to policy dialogues and national strategies; leading the design and formulation of programs and projects; supporting the translation of UNFPA's strategic priorities into local interventions; advising on program and project results and ensuring effective resource utilization; guiding the implementation of programs and projects; creating mechanisms for knowledge sharing and institutionalizing lessons learned; analyzing key issues related to population and development; contributing to resource mobilization strategies; and identifying opportunities for cost-sharing and resource leverage.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in fields such as Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or other related areas. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in development and population activities, with a proven track record in program/project design, appraisal, and management. Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams are essential, along with excellent written and oral communication skills to provide clear, evidence-based technical advice and maintain effective relationships with government officials and partners.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or other related disciplines. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of population and development issues and for effectively contributing to UNFPA's mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in program and project design, appraisal, and management, showcasing their ability to lead and manage teams effectively to achieve significant results. Experience in engaging with government officials and partners is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Romanian is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of one or more languages relevant to Moldova, such as Russian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian, or sign language, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a fixed-term contract lasting one year, which is renewable based on performance and organizational needs. The position is classified as non-rotational, meaning it is intended for candidates who are citizens of the host country, in this case, Moldova. The compensation package includes a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA emphasizes its commitment to ethical recruitment practices and does not charge any fees during the application or recruitment process.