Humanitarian and Field Coordination Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization in the field of reproductive health and rights, established to promote the well-being of individuals and communities. UNFPA's mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization operates in over 150 countries, focusing on improving reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2026-2029 aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating humanitarian, development, and peace efforts, ensuring that individual rights and reproductive choices remain central to national policies. With a workforce of thousands of dedicated professionals, UNFPA is committed to making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable populations worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian and Field Coordination Specialist (HFCS) plays a crucial role in leading UNFPA's humanitarian response efforts in South Sudan. Reporting to the Deputy Representative and under the overall direction of the UNFPA Representative, the HFCS serves as the primary liaison between the Country Office and the sub-national Field Hubs. This position is responsible for the strategic leadership of UNFPA’s humanitarian initiatives, ensuring operational effectiveness across three Field Hubs. A key aspect of this role is to champion the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, facilitating the transition of emergency interventions in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) into sustainable development and peace-building frameworks. The HFCS will lead the Humanitarian Response Unit (HRU), ensuring that the Field Hubs are not merely operational outposts but strategic centers that synchronize humanitarian action with early recovery efforts. The incumbent will also be tasked with fostering local capacity building and resilience in conflict-affected areas, thereby contributing to long-term development goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian and Field Coordinator Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Field Hub Coordination & Sub-National Leadership: Coordinate the operational and programmatic work of the three UNFPA Field Hubs, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the humanitarian response plan. Supervise Field Hub Leads, providing technical and managerial guidance to ensure consistent service delivery across diverse geographical locations. Strengthen the 'Field Hub Model' by improving communication loops between Juba and the field, ensuring that field-level challenges inform national-level policy and vice versa.
• HDP Nexus Championing & Strategic Integration: Lead the practical application of the HDP Nexus within the Field Hubs, moving beyond siloed emergency aid to programs that strengthen national health systems and social cohesion. Identify opportunities for Peace integration within SRH and GBV programming, ensuring that service delivery contributes to conflict sensitivity and community resilience. Facilitate the transition of emergency interventions into regular country programming, ensuring that lessons from the field are scaled nationally.
• Humanitarian Programme Management & Technical Oversight: Direct the Humanitarian Response Unit (HRU), overseeing the planning and implementation of emergency SRH and GBV interventions. Ensure the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH and ensure GBV sub-cluster functions are robust at the sub-national level. Oversee commodity security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, specifically the Consumption-based Supply of RH Kits, to prevent stock-outs in complex emergency settings.
• Representation, Advocacy & Partnership: Represent UNFPA in the Inter-Sectoral Working Group (ISWG) and support senior management in the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). Foster strategic alliances with local authorities, NGOs, and UN agencies at the hub level to advocate for the prioritization of women and girls in the humanitarian-development continuum. Lead resource mobilization by developing high-quality proposals that emphasize both immediate life-saving needs and Nexus-oriented sustainability.
• Strategic IP Management & Oversight: Lead operationalization of IP Management at the field level, ensuring proper implementation and HDP Nexus alignment. Conduct regular technical capacity assessments of IPs in the hubs to identify gaps in SRH, GBV, and financial management, and implement remedial capacity-building plans. Ensure IP Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Oversee the submission of timely and quality Work Plans, FACE forms, and progress reports from field-based partners. Establish a rigorous field-based monitoring system to verify that IP deliverables meet UNFPA’s quality standards and contribute to the Three Transformative Results.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Humanitarian and Field Coordination Specialist position should possess a Master's degree in Public Health, International Development, Social Sciences, or Medical Sciences. Additionally, the candidate should have at least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in humanitarian programming, with a specific focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Proven experience in Field Coordination or managing sub-national offices in complex, conflict-affected environments is essential. The candidate should demonstrate expertise in the HDP Nexus, particularly in transitioning emergency programs to development frameworks. A strong track record in people management and leading multi-disciplinary teams across remote locations is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, International Development, Social Sciences, or Medical Sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian programming and the integration of health systems within development frameworks.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian programming, particularly in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Experience in Field Coordination or managing sub-national offices in complex, conflict-affected environments is essential. The candidate should also have demonstrated expertise in the HDP Nexus, specifically in transitioning emergency programs to development frameworks, and a strong track record in people management and leading multi-disciplinary teams across remote locations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official UN languages, particularly Arabic, is considered desirable and would be an asset in enhancing communication and collaboration within the organization and with local partners.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the heart of UNFPA's workforce.