The Position:

Under the supervision of the Director, Division for External Relations (DER), the Chief of the UNFPA Representation Office in Berlin serves as UNFPA’s most senior Representative in Germany and has overall responsibilities for managing UNFPA relations with the government and partners, in close coordination with other teams in DER. The Chief is also responsible for supporting the relationship with Austria, Lichtenstein and potentially the Central European Member States (Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland).

The position of Chief, Berlin Representation Office will report to the Director, Division for External Relations.

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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 programme results.

Job Purpose:

Within the goal to deliver on the three transformative results contained in the UNFPA Strategic Plan, and ultimately on the ICPD and the 2030 Agenda, the network of Representation Offices is aimed at strengthening advocacy and partnerships capacities of UNFPA.

The Chief of the UNFPA Representation Office in Berlin will proactively engage to advance collaboration with UNFPA on issues of common interest, including the integration of the ICPD agenda in relevant frameworks and regional and global development agendas as well as the implementation of those agendas and relevant instruments, especially those on population, youth, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. They will, in coordination with other business units in DER, HQ and relevant regional offices to ensure constant and senior level interface with high level missions, diplomatic community and highest-level political officials in the countries of coverage. They will support UNFPA’s inter-governmental objectives globally through a focus on partnerships for resource mobilization, influencing and communication.

You would be responsible for:

As the Chief and with the support of your team, you would be responsible for delivering the following:

Representation and Political Reporting:

• Represent UNFPA at events, meetings, and conferences, as requested
• Monitor political, economic, and social developments in Germany as well as donor priorities and provide regular updates to headquarters
• Proactively share updates, political analysis, and exchange with relevant units, including HQ units, Regional and Country Offices, and other Representation Offices
• Organize and support missions and interactions of the UNFPA Executive Director and senior management to Germany
• Ensure close collaboration and represent UNFPA in coordination with other UN entities in Germany and other countries of coverage.

Partnership Building, Resource Mobilization, and Leveraging:

• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the Country Engagement Strategy workplans for countries of coverage in close collaboration other branches and offices in the Division, other business units and relevant regional offices
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations, the private sector, foundations, academia, the German public at large, and the media
• Maintain close relations with Members of the Parliament on UNFPA programmes and mandate in order to ensure continuing and increasing (core and non-core) revenue
• Identify and propose specific fundraising strategies and donor approaches, in line with UNFPA’s corporate RM strategy
• Drive UNFPA’s individual giving campaign for a German audience
• Serve as a liaison for funding proposals from relevant UNFPA programme units
• Follow-up with UNFPA HQ, Regional and Country offices on specific requirements from Germany in terms of funding
• Monitor and influence additional donor countries including Austria, Lichtenstein and potentially the Central European Member States (Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland)

Information, Advocacy, and Media:

• Strengthen communication, visibility and advocacy with key partners in government, civil society, private sector, media and academia to improve donor engagement and public awareness of UNFPA and its mandate

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10 years of relevant increasingly responsible professional and managerial experience, including at the national and international levels;
• Job knowledge and technical expertise – up-to-date knowledge of issues of population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender, and their place in the development agenda; strong knowledge of human rights, global health and humanitarian affairs an asset;
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results;
• Knowledge of the ecosystem of partners, media and resource mobilisation in Germany;
• Sound knowledge and familiarity with UNFPA programmes and policies, knowledge of international development policies and institutions, and international politics;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, negotiation skills, and managerial skills required;
• Field experience with UNFPA an asset;
• Familiarity with intergovernmental processes;
• Initiative, sound judgment, analytical and political acumen;
• Excellent knowledge of donor community and innovative fundraising skills.

Languages:

High level German language skills in diplomacy and politics (both in writing and speaking) and fluency in English are required. French, Spanish, Chinese and other official UN language skills are assets in managing development program proposals from different regions, and partnerships.

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,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results,
• External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization,
• Leading global advocacy for organizational priorities,
• Creating visibility for the organization

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging 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 LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. 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.