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 and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is committed to addressing the needs of women and girls, particularly in humanitarian contexts, and works towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence, while also addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on reproductive health services.

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, focusing on the implementation of accountability frameworks that encourage community participation and transparency. The AAP Specialist will collaborate with various stakeholders, including government entities and national partners, to ensure that programming is centered around community needs, particularly for marginalized groups such as individuals with disabilities and those with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The position requires a commitment to fostering an inclusive approach throughout the humanitarian program cycle, adapting strategies based on community feedback, and ensuring that the voices of affected populations are heard and prioritized in decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The AAP Specialist will be responsible for several key functions, 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 mechanisms and ensuring the integration of AAP commitments into key strategies and frameworks.
• Facilitating capacity-building activities to enhance the skills of UNFPA staff and partners in community-centered programming.
• Supporting the improvement of community feedback mechanisms and data collection processes to inform programming decisions.
• Analyzing and introducing new technologies to enhance participation among women, adolescents, and marginalized groups in SRHR and GBV interventions.
• Strengthening partnerships with stakeholders at various levels to enhance advocacy and capacity-building efforts.
• Contributing to inter-agency coordination efforts related to AAP in humanitarian settings.
• Documenting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned to promote continuous improvement 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, with a focus 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 within tight deadlines. 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 analytical skills to understand intersectional issues and translate them into practical guidance. Familiarity with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), gender equality, disability inclusion, and SOGIESC inclusion is preferred, as is experience in knowledge management and familiarity with UN procedures and working methods.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in social sciences, international relations, public health, social work, development, communication and community engagement, protection, or other related fields is required for this position.

Experience:
The position requires 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. Experience in humanitarian settings, particularly in the Asia and Pacific region, is considered a strong asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable, which would enhance communication and collaboration in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve travel to various locations within the Asia and Pacific region. The role is critical in ensuring that UNFPA's humanitarian programming is accountable to the communities it serves, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to ethical standards and principles in their work.