Head of Office

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that 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 has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a mission to expand choices and opportunities for women and young people.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office is responsible for leading a country team in the development and management of a Government-UNFPA country programme of cooperation. This role involves ensuring that the programme aligns with UNFPA’s strategic plan goals and contributes to the broader Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Head of Office reports to the Arab States Regional Office senior management and is accountable for the implementation of UNFPA programmes in the country. This position requires active participation in the UN Country Team (UNCT) and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and private sector partners. The Head of Office will also lead one of UNFPA’s core thematic areas, ensuring strategic consolidation and scale-up of achievements while fostering institutional capacities and national ownership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme leadership, coordination, planning, and management: Conduct policy dialogue with government and development partners, provide high-level technical advice, assess implications of new policies, lead program coordination, promote human rights and results-based approaches, translate global agreements into advocacy strategies, ensure application of Results Based Management principles, and coordinate inputs into programme development and implementation.
• External relationships and resource mobilization: Represent UNFPA at meetings, manage strategic partnerships, lead resource mobilization efforts, and support the government in coordinating assistance for programmes.
• Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team: Actively support the RC within the UNSDCF framework, ensure integration of the ICPD Agenda, represent UNFPA at UNCT meetings, participate in Common Country Analysis, and support coordinated resource mobilization efforts.
• Leading and managing the country team: Manage country team staff, attract and retain high-caliber staff, ensure compliance with UNFPA policies, integrate security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-risk-management" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risk management, and maintain a work environment free from harassment and abuse.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in disciplines such as Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender Studies, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or related fields. They should have seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, particularly in gender, population, and reproductive health, with demonstrated ability to align programme objectives with national priorities. Candidates must also exhibit strong leadership and management skills, excellent communication abilities, and experience in advocacy, policy dialogue, and resource mobilization.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in relevant fields such as Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender Studies, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or other related areas is required for this position. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international development and the specific challenges faced in the areas of gender and reproductive health.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, with a focus on gender, population, and reproductive health. This experience should include programme design and management, as well as the ability to lead teams and achieve measurable results. Proven experience in high-level advocacy and policy dialogue is also essential, along with a demonstrated ability to influence partners and engage with UNFPA’s mandate.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic, French, and English is required for this position. These language skills are crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, ensuring that UNFPA's objectives are clearly articulated and understood across different contexts.

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 minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates.