Humanitarian Specialist

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Position Title: Humanitarian Specialist
Location: Suva
Country: Fiji
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality. 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 emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of women and girls, particularly in humanitarian contexts, and aims to integrate sexual and reproductive health services into emergency preparedness and response efforts. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 highlights its commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence, while promoting the rights and health of women and girls in the face of global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Specialist will play a pivotal role in leading humanitarian preparedness and response efforts for the UNFPA Pacific Sub-regional Office (PSRO) based in Fiji. This position involves overseeing the planning and implementation of humanitarian-related program activities across the Pacific region, which includes 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services remain accessible during natural disasters, which disproportionately affect women, girls, and persons living with disabilities. The role requires close collaboration with national authorities, humanitarian agencies, and civil society organizations to strengthen emergency preparedness and provide effective humanitarian assistance during and after disasters. The specialist will report directly to the PSRO director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director and will be expected to contribute to the overall mission of UNFPA in promoting health and rights in humanitarian settings.

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

• Programme Development and Implementation: Leading the PSRO's preparedness efforts by developing and implementing UNFPA Minimum Preparedness Actions (MPA) and contingency plans for specific humanitarian contexts. Monitoring and evaluating humanitarian preparedness and response programs, providing technical guidance, and ensuring programmatic links between existing initiatives.
• Humanitarian Coordination: Coordinating UNFPA's emergency response activities with relevant partners, participating in cluster meetings, and ensuring integration of SRH, GBV, and PLWD issues. Preparing appeals and strategic response plans, and ensuring reproductive health commodity security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security during emergencies.
• Technical Support and Capacity Building: Maintaining communication with country offices during emergencies, providing operational support, and building capacity among UNFPA staff and partners to implement the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health in emergencies.
• Advocacy and Communication: Developing communication plans for humanitarian responses, preparing situational reports, and creating advocacy materials for donors and partners.
• Performing any other duties as required by the PSRO Deputy Director and/or Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Humanitarian Response, International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field. A combination of education and relevant experience in a related field may also be considered. Candidates should have at least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience at the advisory or managerial level in relevant program management and coordination, with a minimum of three years in humanitarian coordination or preparedness activities at the international level. Substantive knowledge of UN humanitarian relief operations and the roles of humanitarian actors is essential, along with strong analytical, coordination, and organizational skills. Familiarity with the Pacific context and experience with UNFPA are advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Humanitarian Response, International Relations, Political Science, or Social Sciences is required. Candidates with a combination of education and relevant experience may also be considered. The educational background should provide a strong foundation for understanding the complexities of humanitarian response and program management.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in program management and coordination, with at least three years in a managerial role focused on humanitarian coordination and preparedness activities at the international level. Experience in UN humanitarian relief operations and familiarity with the inter-agency humanitarian sector/cluster system is essential. Strong analytical and organizational skills, along with the ability to work effectively in teams, are critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and oral English is mandatory. A working knowledge of Pacific languages is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with local partners and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes 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. Selection and appointment may be subject to background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.