Programme Specialist

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 the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly those related to gender equality and women's empowerment. UNFPA's mission is to promote the health and rights of women and girls, and to ensure that they have access to the necessary resources and support to thrive in society. The organization emphasizes the importance of data-driven policies and programs to address the challenges faced by populations, particularly in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist plays a crucial role in providing high-level technical expertise and strategic coordination to the African Union Commission (AUC) under the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) 2.0 framework. This position is designed to ensure that regional policies align seamlessly with international standards, particularly in the areas of eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG), eradicating harmful practices, and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Africa. The Programme Specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, regional economic communities, and civil society organizations, to foster collaboration and ensure effective implementation of the programme's objectives. The role requires a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding gender-based violence and the ability to navigate the political landscape to advocate for change and promote sustainable solutions. The Programme Specialist will also be responsible for enhancing advocacy efforts, knowledge management, and communication strategies to amplify the programme's impact and visibility.

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

• Ensuring effective coordination and strategic alignment among the four implementing agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women), the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, and Civil Society Organizations.
• Providing substantial guidance to partners on establishing performance indicators and monitoring the achievement of results.
• Identifying capacity-building needs and supporting partners through technical assistance, mentoring, training, and cross-partner learning initiatives.
• Reinforcing partnerships with key stakeholders, including youth groups, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society organizations, to ensure broad societal inclusion and collaboration.
• Overseeing programme liaison with the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG) and ensuring timely communication of programme developments.
• Coordinating the operationalization of women and youth-led accountability frameworks to monitor regional commitments on EVAWG and SRHR.
• Engaging in seamless alignment of regional policies with international standards to accelerate the elimination of VAWG and harmful practices.
• Supporting the design of accurate monitoring and communication tools, including a communication strategy and plan, and a reporting system.
• Collaborating with the AUC and the PCU Communication team to review background documents and facilitate the co-creation of common communication and advocacy materials. 1
• Coordinating efforts between the AUC and CSRRG to enhance visibility and promote strategic advocacy for the programme's impact and sustainability.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Programme Specialist position should possess the following qualifications:

• A master’s degree in international relations/development, management, public administration, public health, monitoring and evaluation, gender, communication, economics, sociology, demography, statistics, or public policy, or equivalent development-related fields.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing complex multi-stakeholder and multi-year programmes, particularly in the context of policy research and advocacy for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and project management, with a proven ability to coordinate joint programmes and build partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society organizations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to draft, edit, and produce results-focused reports.
• Experience in leading and managing communications product development and dissemination, as well as the ability to build and motivate cross-cutting teams to achieve client-oriented results.
• A thorough understanding of violence against women and girls and gender equality issues, particularly within the African context.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a master’s degree in relevant fields such as international relations, development, management, public administration, public health, monitoring and evaluation, gender studies, communication, economics, sociology, demography, statistics, or public policy. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of the issues addressed by the Programme Specialist role and for effectively engaging with various stakeholders in the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the field, particularly in designing and managing complex multi-stakeholder and multi-year programmes. Candidates should have experience in policy research and advocacy related to the elimination of violence against women and girls, ideally with some experience in the African region. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, project management, and coordinating joint programmes is essential, as well as the ability to build partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with stakeholders. A working knowledge of French is desirable, as it can facilitate communication with partners and stakeholders in Francophone regions of Africa. Proficiency in additional languages may also be beneficial, depending on the specific context and stakeholders involved in the programme.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA promotes 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, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.