National Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency for 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 woman, man, and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. The organization focuses on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2026-2029 aims to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 203

• The organization emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building, and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Job Overview:
The National Programme Specialist will work within the Ethiopia Country Office, leading the planning and contributing to the monitoring and evaluation of the Country Programme. This role involves establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with government counterparts, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies, civil society, and UN sister agencies. The specialist will ensure effective management of UNFPA activities in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance across humanitarian, development, and peace nexus programming. The position requires advising management on strategic planning and programme/project management policies, designing and implementing annual target setting, and supporting the preparation of the UN Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF. The specialist will also facilitate field monitoring visits, coordinate quarterly and annual planning processes, and engage in sector working groups related to national planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise management on strategic planning and programme/project management policies and procedures.
• Design and implement annual target setting and ensure accurate inputs to end-year reports.
• Support UNFPA inputs for the UN Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF, including annual reporting and evaluation.
• Lead the organization of the annual review of the UNFPA Country Programme with the Government and partners.
• Facilitate field monitoring visits and compile reports for feedback to partners and internal discussions for management actions.
• Coordinate processes for myResults quarterly and annual planning, reporting, and reviews.
• Facilitate regular reviews of the Country Programme with implementing partners and stakeholders.
• Support the development of project proposals focusing on theory of change, logical framework, and results-based focus.
• Monitor and refine the development of frameworks, methodologies, and databases for reporting and monitoring. 1
• Compile and analyze data on project indicators and inform the M&E Head of Unit and management. 1
• Maintain and update the Country Office’s Programme Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) Plan. 1
• Manage planning, monitoring, and evaluation work of the Country Programme and advise on budget allocation systems and work plan development. 1
• Co-lead knowledge management on PME, ensuring outcomes are documented and discussed. 1
• Support project-specific and Country Programme evaluations and ensure compliance with office management audits. 1
• Facilitate the preparation and publication of the country office annual report. 1
• Participate in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts, preparing relevant documentation and representing UNFPA in technical working groups. 1
• Conduct field monitoring and supportive supervision to intervention sites and field offices. 1
• Perform any other activities/responsibilities as assigned by the UNFPA Representative and Deputy Representative.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in health, population, statistics, demography, or related social science discipline.
• Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluation in development and population activities.
• Experience in programme/project planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, including large multi-sector projects.
• Proven experience in teamwork and field experience is an asset.
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in health, population, statistics, demography, or other related social science disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of population dynamics and the methodologies used in planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

Experience:
The position requires five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluation, particularly in the field of development and population activities. Candidates should have experience in programme/project planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, including experience with large multi-sector projects. Field experience is considered an asset, as is prior experience within the UN system.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of other official UN languages is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in a diverse work environment.

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 values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages women, individuals from minority populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.