Job Description

The Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Program (SIARP) is focused on eliminating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices (HP) and addressing their links to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa. The program priorities strengthening existing strategies and initiatives, such as the AU Gender Strategy 2017 -2027, Agenda 2063, the Maputo Plan of Action and harnesses the respective strengths of multi-sectoral, multi-level partnerships which will support the acceleration of transformative change. The joint program, implemented by UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women, under the leadership of the UN DCO- Regional Office for Africa, will work closely with the AU, with the RECs (via the AU), and other key regional partners and stakeholders.

The Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Program Associate is a member of the Africa Coordination Unit (ACU) team, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and led by UNFPA. S/he provides strategic support to the ACU team in evidence-based planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and operations. S/he will report to the Africa Spotlight Regional Program Coordinator.

Work Relations

• Establish and maintain conducive working relations staff within the ACU, the RUNOs, the DCO- Regional Office for Africa and the AUC and partners involved in the SIARP implementation.
• Promote achievement of common goals and shared objectives, and demonstrate personal commitment to UNFPA’s mandate and organizational vision.
• The incumbent may be required to respond to non-routine queries and provide explanations on matters which may be complex requiring thorough knowledge of corporate policies and procedures of the organization and the Global Spotlight Initiative.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in program results.

 Main Tasks & Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will be to:

Contributes towards effective coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of SIARP by providing support in the following areas;

• Evidence-based planning;
• Performance management and oversight;
• Knowledge Management;
• Financial, administrative and other operational support;
• Coordination.

Evidence-based planning

• Assist in the evidence-based planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of interventions under the SIARP towards achieving measurable results;
• Establish program planning information and schedules to support the RUNOS;
• Compile basic data to support preparation of periodic progress reports of the aforementioned processes.

Program Management and Oversight

• Contribute towards ensuring compliance of SIARP with global SI program guidelines by monitoring the program for implementation within the guidelines;
• Contribute towards the analysis of the performance of the SIARP by regularly reviewing deliverables and comparing them to agreed-upon metrics of success;
• Prepare relevant reports on SIARP implementation, as well as support reporting on operational issues;
• Support annual and quarterly workplanning and monitoring processes by conducting necessary research, preparing relevant documentation and coordinating with stakeholders;
• Assist with revisions of the SIARP with key parties and business units as may be required.
• Manage the ACU diary and provide Secretariat support to RUNO meetings and the SIARP Steering Committee

Knowledge Management Support

• Regularly update the SIARP knowledge platform with relevant products; including programme documents, mission documentation, meeting minutes and reports, among others;
• Collaborate with the Communications Specialist in preparing knowledge products that reflect emerging issues, best practices, lessons learned etc. from SIARP-supported interventions, by engaging in working groups and preparing information packs;
• Assist with information gathering on various aspects of GBV, SRHR and HP and contribute to the preparation of strategic documents.
• Facilitate south-south cooperation related actions as needed

Financial, administrative and other operational support

• Review and analyze past and current expenditures of the RUNOs to monitor progress;
• Collaborate with team members in the AUC and the UNFPA ESARO Operations Unit, on administrative and financial management tasks, including preparation of meetings, strategic events, travel, procurement and other related functions;
• Collaborate with Programme Assistants and Associates in the RUNOs, the DCO- Regional Office for Africa and the relevant AUC departments;

Other

• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Duration: One Year (*)

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

Completion of secondary school is required. A degree in Public Administration, Finance, Economics or another relevant subject is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 7 years of relevant experience in effective and efficient management of development programs in the private and/or public sectors.
• Ability to use analytical tools and logic to gather and define information on development situations, problems, and draw logical conclusions guided by data
• Make timely and appropriate decisions, taking into consideration, prevailing issues and evidence
• Possess strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and within multiple diversity contexts
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in the United Nations system is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese, an asset.

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving Results
• Being Accountable
• Developing and Applying Professional Expertise/Business Acumen
• Thinking analytically and Strategically
• Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our Relationships
• Communicating for Impact

Functional Competencies:

• Business acumen
• Effective logistical support
• Planning, prioritizing, organizing and multi-tasking
• Gathering, analyzing and managing data and information
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Managing information and workflow
• Effective management of deadlines
• Establish effective relations with internal and external parties in a diplomatic manner
• Managing financial, administrative and operational processes
• Proficiency in current office software applications; good basic knowledge of financial systems and mastery of a series of financial and spreadsheet software.

Other Competencies

• Conflict and self-management;
• Performance management; Commitment to excellence;
• Appropriate and transparent decision-making.

How to Apply

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.