SWEDD Project Director

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading UN agency dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, focusing on reproductive health, gender equality, and population issues. The organization aims to achieve transformative results in the areas of maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence, aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) commitments. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's health and rights, advocating for a world where fundamental human rights are upheld and protected.

Job Overview:
The SWEDD Project Director is a pivotal role within UNFPA, reporting directly to the Regional Director for West and Central Africa (WCA). The Director is responsible for overseeing all project activities related to the SWEDD initiative, which aims to enhance the empowerment of women and adolescent girls and improve their access to quality reproductive, child, and maternal health services across selected regions in West and Central Africa. The position requires a strong focus on program coordination, relationship building with key stakeholders, and the provision of high-quality technical assistance to member countries and regional partners. The Director will work closely with various UN agencies, the World Bank, and regional organizations to ensure the successful implementation of the project, which has expanded its focus from Sahelian countries to include a broader range of nations in the region. The role also involves integrating the SWEDD initiative with other functional units within the Regional Office to maximize program impact and coherence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The SWEDD Project Director will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Program Coordination: Ensure effective coordination among all parties involved in project implementation, including the Regional Technical Secretariat, Regional Steering Committee, and UNFPA country offices. Develop annual work plans and budgets for regional activities, monitor implementation, and prepare progress reports.
• Integrated Technical and Program Support: Develop mechanisms for integrated approaches to ensure programmatic coherence, coordinate inputs for regional strategies, and provide guidance to project partners.
• Management of Regional Implementing Unit: Lead and supervise the Programme Implementation Unit, ensuring high-quality performance and compliance with UNFPA policies.
• Evidence and Knowledge Management: Capture lessons learned from the project, establish a regional knowledge network, and synthesize project results for dissemination.
• Relationship Building: Build and maintain partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate regional policy dialogue and implementation of initiatives.
• Financial Management: Oversee the prudent utilization of project resources and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
• Reporting: Ensure timely and quality donor reporting, including the consolidation of project results and updates to the monitoring and evaluation framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in international development management, public policy, political science, economics, sociology, demography, public health, or related fields. A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing complex, donor-funded programs is required, with at least 10 years at the international level. Experience in public policy, particularly in a developing country context in Africa, is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate political acumen, partnership building skills, and a strong track record of leadership and management in the development sector, particularly in areas related to gender, violence against women, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree is required, preferably in fields such as international development management, public policy, political science, economics, sociology, demography, or public health. This educational background should provide a strong foundation for understanding the complexities of development management and the specific challenges faced in the areas of reproductive health and gender empowerment.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in managing complex, multi-partner programs, with at least 10 years of experience at the international level. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in the public policy sector, particularly in developing countries in Africa. Experience in leading knowledge product development and dissemination, as well as managing communications products, is essential. A strong background in partnership building and political acumen is also necessary for success in this role.

Languages:
Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and French are mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official UN languages is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's qualifications.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. The work environment at UNFPA reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. UNFPA is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The selection process may involve background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.