The posting
Job Description
The Position:
The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist in the Programme Division Directorate on the management of the UNFPA regulatory framework to ensure consistency with the evolving needs of the organization, UN initiatives and regional perspectives. The incumbent will also provide policy and partnership support to UNFPA personnel.
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:
The Programme Division is the custodian of the UNFPA policy and procedures manual (PPM) and also responsible for providing policy advice and guidance to UNFPA personnel.
You would be responsible for:
PPM Update, Maintenance and Quality Assurance
- Supports the programme specialist in managing and maintaining programme (including all partnership/work plan related) and technical area related policies and procedures manual (PPM) in UNFPA in a systematic and effective manner;
- Work closely with Division of External Relations (DER) and IT Support Office (ITSO) to manage the external and internal PPM websites;
- Contribute to the implementation of the policy on “Publication and Issuance of Policies and Procedures” and arrangements for the PPM (ensuring programme and technical area related policies are issued through established procedure and thus accessible to staff as the basis against which they are held accountable);
- Oversee the promulgation process for all new and revised UNFPA programme and technical area related policies; prepare briefing notes for the policy committee chair;
- Undertake quality assurance review of policies prior to submission for approval to ensure consistency with other policies in the PPM;
- Liaise with and support policy owners during the revision and promulgation process;
- Conduct annual PPM review and perform data analysis on reports related to the PPM;
- Utilize digital and AI tools to improve PPM management, analysis and user experience, including supporting training of AI tools/models, quality assuring AI-generated summaries and collaborating with ITSO to integrate AI solutions into the PPM;
- Maintain a database of archived policies.
Policy Promotion and Guidance
- Support staff on policies and policy application and direct staff requests for assistance in locating/interpreting/applying policies in specific situations;
- Brief senior staff on status of programme and technical related policies and the Programme and Procedures Manuals (PPM) as requested; and provide input in response to audit observations and recommendations related to PPM;
- Support the PPM Programme Specialist on implementation of any PPM related audit recommendations
Partnership Management
- Participate in the interagency UN Partners Portal (UNPP) Change Advisory Board;
- Develop partner related system (UNPP and QuantumPlus) enhancements and new requirements to facilitate the management of Implementing Partners;
- Troubleshoot and provide support to personnel on UN Partner Portal (UNPP) issues; particularly related to partner registration and guidance;
- Develop training materials for partners and UNFPA personnel;
- Support the Programme Specialist with activities related to the interagency IP Protocol Working Group, particularly related to the PSEA module. Provide guidance to personnel on the operationalization of the IP Protocol for PSEA;
- Support the Programme Specialist with responding to and implementing audit recommendations related to management of Implementing partners.
Other duties may be assigned by the Programme Specialist to ensure the success of the work team.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced degree in international development, social work, public administration, public health, gender, law/human rights, and/or other related social science disciplines.
Knowledge and Experience:
- 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in development assistance programmes, policy or law
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Excellent document management and fluency in google suites
- Experience in data analysis
- Systematic, good organizational skills.
- Experience in policy promulgation
- Attention to details, maintaining quality while working under tight deadlines
Other desirable skills: initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgement, liaison skills, strong commitment to international development work, especially the mission of the UNFPA and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
Languages:
- Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of another official UN language 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:
- Identify opportunities for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency,
- Actively contribute to the setting or organizational priorities in a consultative process,
- Revise goals and plans to reflect changing priorities or conditions.
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 LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous 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, visa issuance 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.
