Special Assistant to Director, Programme Division (P-3)

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 has a mission to promote the right of every individual to make informed choices about their reproductive health. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly in areas related to family planning, maternal health, and gender equality. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2026-2029 outlines its response to a complex global environment, emphasizing resilience and renewal in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Special Assistant to the Director of the Programme Division plays a crucial role in supporting the Director in executing their responsibilities effectively. This position involves providing comprehensive operational, planning, managerial, technical, and coordination support. The Special Assistant acts as a vital link between the Director and various units within and outside the Division, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration. The role requires a proactive approach to managing the Division's integrated and systems-strengthening initiatives, which are essential for achieving the organization's goals. The Special Assistant will be responsible for drafting key documents, maintaining communication with stakeholders, and coordinating inputs for reports, thereby contributing significantly to the Division's overall effectiveness and efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Special Assistant will undertake a variety of duties, including: A. Planning and Management Support: Providing backstopping for all planning and management functions of the Director's Office, analyzing incoming documents, advising on necessary actions, drafting statements, briefing notes, and correspondence, preparing background papers, and maintaining communication with various branches and partners. B. Technical Support: Preparing substantive analyses and summaries of reports for the Director's review, conducting literature reviews, drafting position papers and technical reports, and performing bibliographic searches. C. Support for Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring the implementation of tasks assigned by the Director and assisting in the follow-up on the Division's Office Management Plan. D. Support for Coordination: Coordinating the Director's participation in corporate initiatives, scheduling meetings, maintaining records of decisions, facilitating information sharing within the Division, and participating in task forces and working groups as needed. The Special Assistant may also be required to carry out additional duties as assigned by the Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public policy, international affairs, global health, or a related field relevant to UNFPA’s mandate. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in civil service, international affairs, global health, or other relevant areas is required. Candidates should demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, and a proven ability to exercise sound judgment and organizational skills. Experience within the UN system is highly desirable, as is a strong commitment to development work and UNFPA's mission.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public policy, international affairs, global health, or any other area relevant to UNFPA’s mandate is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the Director in their responsibilities and to contribute to the organization's mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in civil service, international affairs, global health, or any other area relevant to UNFPA’s mandate. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively navigate the complexities of the role and to provide the necessary support to the Director and the Programme Division.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the primary working language of UNFPA. Additionally, fluency in another UN language, particularly French or Spanish, is desirable. This multilingual capability is beneficial for communication with diverse stakeholders and for participating in international discussions and collaborations.

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 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.