Assistant Representative

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, 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 dedicated to advancing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• UNFPA employs a diverse workforce of approximately 4,000 staff members worldwide, committed to addressing population and development issues, reproductive health, and gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Representative plays a crucial role in the design, development, and management of an innovative and responsive country programme in coordination with the UNFPA Representative. This position involves leading a programme team to translate regional and country goals into actionable solutions and results. The incumbent will manage UNFPA programme activities focusing on population and development, reproductive health, and gender issues, while navigating a politically sensitive environment and responding to the evolving priorities of governments. The Assistant Representative will also promote partnerships and strategic alliances with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, multi-lateral and bilateral agencies, and civil society organizations. This role requires active participation in policy dialogue and contributions to joint initiatives within the UN system.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Representative is responsible for conducting policy dialogues with government entities and development partners to integrate UNFPA’s priorities into national plans and strategies. This includes translating global strategies into country-specific advocacy efforts, creating evidence-based advocacy messages, and ensuring that programmes align with national priorities. The incumbent will facilitate the achievement of programme results by coordinating inputs into programme development, monitoring, and evaluation. Additionally, the Assistant Representative will promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning by documenting innovative strategies and best practices. Resource mobilization is also a key responsibility, which involves identifying potential donors, preparing proposals, and supporting government and agency coordination for programme assistance. The role may also require carrying out other duties as assigned by UNFPA leadership.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or a related discipline. They should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in development and population activities, including programme design, appraisal, and management. A demonstrated ability to refine programme design with a strategic focus is essential, as is proven experience in leading and managing teams to achieve results. Candidates should also have a track record of resource mobilization and contributions to normative roles, along with excellent written and oral communication skills for fostering partnerships at various levels.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management, or a closely related discipline. This advanced degree is essential for understanding the complexities of population and development issues and for effectively managing the associated programmes.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities. This experience should include programme design, appraisal, and management, demonstrating the candidate's ability to lead teams and achieve measurable results. Candidates should also have experience in resource mobilization and a strong understanding of the normative roles within the UN system.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is required for this position. Proficiency in any of the other UN official languages will be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA is committed to providing 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 accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics.