Programme Associate

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Position Title: Programme Associate
Location: Male
Country: Maldives
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on reproductive health and rights, and population and development. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health services, and it calls for a collective effort to 'build forward better' in the wake of the pandemic. UNFPA's Seventh Country Programme Document for Maldives, approved in February 2022, aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2022-2026, focusing on key areas such as family planning, gender-based violence, and population development. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including government departments, UN agencies, international NGOs, local NGOs, and research institutions to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate plays a crucial role in supporting the design, planning, and management of UNFPA's country programme. This position involves managing data inputs, providing logistical support, monitoring project implementation, and following up on recommendations. The Programme Associate will report to the Assistant Representative or Programme Specialist/Programme Analyst. The role is instrumental in facilitating the monitoring and evaluation of UNFPA's country programme and project implementation, particularly in the areas of population and development, reproductive health, and gender. The Programme Associate will apply established systems and procedures to assist in creating knowledge by compiling, synthesizing, and analyzing relevant information, developing appropriate mechanisms and systems, and ensuring compliance with procedures. This position requires a proactive approach to support the overall objectives of UNFPA in the Maldives, contributing to the organization's mission of promoting reproductive health and rights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Associate will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Participating in the formulation of the country programme and component projects by compiling and analyzing information relevant to UNFPA's role in the country, drafting project documents and work plans, and preparing tables and statistical data.
• Supporting the monitoring and evaluation of project and programme activities by establishing methods to assess achievement, recommending corrective actions as needed, conducting field visits, participating in review meetings and evaluation missions, and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports, including through UNINFO.
• Guiding the routine implementation of assigned projects in coordination with national counterparts and project personnel, coordinating the delivery of project inputs, and ensuring the participation of national counterparts in training activities and study tours.
• Providing logistical support to projects by coordinating project-related meetings, workshops, and events, and training and guiding project personnel and staff on national execution and programme policies and procedures.
• Supporting advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office by establishing and maintaining a network of donor and public information contacts, assisting with organizing and conducting donor meetings and public information events, and preparing relevant background material for these events.
• Assisting in implementing knowledge management strategies to capture lessons learned and best practices, sharing these with management for future planning.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Completed Secondary Level Education is required, while a first-level university degree is desirable.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in programme/project management is required. A first-level university degree in combination with five years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the seven years of working experience.
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems is essential.
• The candidate must demonstrate values such as integrity, commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, cultural diversity, and adaptability to change.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completed Secondary Level Education as a minimum requirement. A first-level university degree is considered desirable, indicating that candidates with higher education will be preferred, although relevant experience may compensate for the lack of a degree in some cases.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in programme or project management. However, if a candidate holds a first-level university degree, they may qualify with five years of relevant experience instead. This experience should ideally be in a context related to reproductive health, population development, or gender issues, demonstrating the ability to manage and implement projects effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Dhivehi is also required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Dhivehi are the primary languages for communication within the organization and with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and is based in Male, Maldives. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects 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. The selection and appointment process may involve background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.