The posting
Job Description
The Position:
The National Programme Specialist works in an integrated manner with the programme and technical and operations staff in the Country Office. You will lead the Planning and contribute to the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Country Programme.
You will report to the UNFPA Ethiopia’s Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results
Job Purpose:
Working within the Ethiopia Country Office (CO) environment, you will contribute and ensure the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of planning, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance of UNFPA Humanitarian, Development and Peace nexus programming.
You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies, civil society and UN sister agencies to address emerging issues and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.
You would be responsible for:
- Strategic Planning and programme management service: Advise management on strategic planning and programme/project management policies and procedures. Design and implement the annual target setting and ensure accurate inputs to the end- year. Support UNFPA inputs for the preparation of the UN Common Country Analysis and UNSDCF, as well as support input into UNSDCF annual reporting and evaluation. Lead the Organization of the annual review of the UNFPA Country Programme with the Government and partners Facilitate field monitoring visits and compilation of reports for feedback to partners and internal discussion for management actions Coordinate processes for myResults quarterly and annual planning, reporting and reviews Facilitate regular reviews of the Country Programme with implementing Partners (IPs) and partners, including mid-term reviews and evaluations. Engage in sector working groups related to national planning, monitoring and evaluation Support development of project proposals with focus on theory of change, logical framework and results-based focus. Support review of project reports to ensure alignment with project log frame and performance management matrix
- Quality Assurance on Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation Facilitate results-based planning, monitoring results documentation and reporting; and use of results-based indicators under the guidance of the M&E Head of Unit and Management. Monitor and refine development of frameworks, methodologies and databases for the CPD, UNSDCF, ICPD, SDGs and other reporting/monitoring. Compile and analyze data on project indicators and indicator databases and inform the M&E Head of Unit and management; and present to staff on a regular basis; Maintain and update the Country Office’s Programme Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) Plan and advise on its effective implementation. Manage the planning, monitoring and evaluation work of the Country Programme and advise country level processes such as budget allocation system; work plan development; compilation of Strategic Information System planning, monitoring and reporting; reporting in UN and other UNFPA reporting and as may be directed by the Country Representative; contribute to evaluations management responses and reporting. Co-Lead the knowledge management on PME, by ensuring that outcomes of PME activities are properly documented, distributed, and discussed. Support the management of project specific and Country Programme (CP) evaluations and ensure compliance to office management audit and its recommendations. Facilitate the preparation and publication of the country office annual report.
- Results-based management and Capacity Development: Advise management on areas to strengthen programme/project management capacities of UNFPA and its Implementing Partners; Guide the programme Units in preparing work plans in the right format with narratives and SMARTER indicators, targets and baselines. Facilitate trainings for UNFPA staff and IPs on policies and procedures related to IP management, work planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and RBM. Provide technical support to the Operations Team with Project/Programme Assurance activities e.g. Spot Checks and IP Capacity Assessment. Facilitate UNFPA inputs into UNSDCF Action, Plan mid-year and annual reviews, and in UN interagency Report. Facilitate baseline surveys, mid-term reviews and evaluation of specific projects or thematic areas, and the country programme in general.
- Other Participating in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office, by ensuring preparation of relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related meetings and public events. Represent UNFPA in technical working groups with the UN, government, and other stakeholders as assigned by the Head of the M&E Unit and the Country Representative. Conducts field monitoring and supportive supervision to interventions sites and field offices Any other activities/responsibilities as assigned by the UNFPA Representative and Deputy Representative.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced degree in health, population, statistics, demography and/or other related social science discipline.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation in the field of development and population activities;
- Experience in programme/project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation including experience in large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners;
- Experience working in humanitarian-development-peace programming;
- Proven experience in teamwork;
- Field experience is an asset;
- Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages is an asset.
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity,
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
- Embracing cultural diversity,
- 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,
Functional Competencies:
- Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
- Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Delivering results-based programme
- Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
- Providing strategic focus,
- Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
- Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
- Making decisions and exercising judgment
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the , minority populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
