Regional Accountability to Affected Populations Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure 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, employing thousands of staff dedicated to advancing reproductive health and gender equality. The organization is committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in humanitarian contexts, and works collaboratively with governments and civil society to implement programs that promote health and well-being. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes transformative results, including ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. The organization is also focused on building forward better in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that the rights and needs of women and girls are prioritized in recovery efforts.

Job Overview:
The Regional Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Specialist will be instrumental in enhancing UNFPA's humanitarian programming by ensuring it is inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of affected populations. This role involves providing technical support and capacity building to UNFPA Country Offices, facilitating the implementation of accountability frameworks that encourage community participation and transparency. The AAP Specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including government entities and national partners, to ensure that programming is centered around the communities it serves. This includes adapting programs based on community feedback and ensuring inclusivity for diverse groups, such as individuals with disabilities and those with varying sexual orientations and gender identities. The position requires a commitment to fostering meaningful participation and driving inclusive approaches to humanitarian action, ensuring that the rights and needs of affected persons are prioritized throughout the humanitarian program cycle.

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

• Providing technical support and strategic guidance for the development and implementation of AAP action plans across UNFPA Country Offices.
• Assisting in the institutionalization of AAP and inclusion mechanisms, ensuring that programming is accountable and impactful.
• Facilitating capacity-building activities to enhance the skills of UNFPA staff and partners in community-centered preparedness and response programming.
• Supporting the improvement of community feedback mechanisms and data collection processes to inform programming decisions.
• Analyzing and implementing information management systems that provide high-quality evidence for course corrections in humanitarian programming.
• Strengthening partnerships with stakeholders at various levels to enhance UNFPA's capacity in advocacy and monitoring.
• Contributing to inter-agency coordination efforts and advocating for the inclusion of affected populations in decision-making processes.
• Documenting and disseminating good practices and lessons learned to promote learning within UNFPA and the broader humanitarian community.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, ideally within the UN or other international organizations, focusing on accountability, community engagement, and protection in humanitarian contexts. Strong organizational and coordination skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and work independently. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required, as well as strong analytical and writing abilities to synthesize information for diverse audiences. Advocacy skills and experience in building strategic partnerships are desired, along with an understanding of intersectional issues and vulnerabilities. Familiarity with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), and inclusion of diverse populations is preferred. Experience in knowledge management and familiarity with UN procedures, particularly UNFPA's policies, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in social sciences, international relations, public health, social work, development, communication and community engagement, protection, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian programming and the needs of affected populations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, ideally within the UN or other international organizations. Candidates should have a strong focus on accountability, community engagement, and protection in humanitarian contexts, with demonstrated experience in managing programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable, as it can enhance communication and collaboration within the international context of UNFPA's operations.

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. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics. The selection process may involve background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements.