The Head of Programmes oversees the effective delivery and overall coordination of UNFPA’s programs and projects within the framework of the 2023-2027 Country Program Document (CPD). The program portfolio spans population data, sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, human rights and an innovative youth portfolio. The CPD requires the post-holder to ensure an integrated program delivery inclusive of each aspect of UNFPA expertise while retaining the thematic focus of the respective projects/programs.

The post holder is the most senior member of the UNFPA team and thus contributes substantially to the design, development, and management of an innovative and responsive country programme. The post holder brings a curated skillset, processes, and tools to facilitate hands-on coordination, supervision/management to direct reports to ensure optimal programme implementation, effective use of resources, quality tracking of results, advocacy for policy change and clear communication of UNFPA’s mandate, work and results in the country. S/he models situational servant-leadership, reflecting the values of UN 2.0. S/he proactively engages in political scanning to ensure UNFPA programming is responsive to a complex environment and frequently changing demands in terms of a fluctuating resource base, multiple funding arrangements, and complex programme/project execution modalities. S/he actively cultivates and develops strategic partnerships with key national stakeholders and development partners and ensures that these relationships remain intact even through the periodic rotations of UNFPA country leadership.

Under the supervision of the Representative, the Head of Programmes substantively contributes to the acceleration of efforts towards achieving the goals of the UNFPA Morocco CO as per the CPD by ensuring that UNFPA’s core focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender and Human Rights and Youth Development are integrated and its effects are evidenced across the program portfolio.

S/he will work to support the Moroccan Government’s development goals as outlined in the New Development Model, shifting the focus of UNFPA programming to align with the political and socioeconomic gains made as Morocco ensuring that no one is left behind as Morocco transitions beyond a LMIC. The Head of Programs will work to optimize the allocation of resources, create synergies, influence policies, and improve consistency and effectiveness of UNFPA’s work in the country within a framework of integrated delivery of programmes.

UNFPA is a rights-based data agency driving evidence-based change. This is a change management position; thus, the post holder will be expected to not only lead and guide program implementation but also to improve working methods within and between teams. It will require a high degree of self-awareness, commitment, and patience to ensure that we measure how changes in processes or programming improved the quality of our service delivery and programme results so that lessons learned can be shared for wider benefit of partners and stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Morocco aspires to become a Middle Income Country (MIC) in the immediate future, thus UNFPA’s role is to provide the evidence-base needed to guide Government investments in financial and human resources to achieve these goals. Specifically, the Head of Programs will be responsible for:

A. Programme Coordination and Technical Support

• Responsible for hands-on program coordination for UNFPA’s SRHR, human rights, gender equality and programs in Morocco.
• Promoting a human rights, results-based approach and integration of innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of country programmes, sub-programmes and projects based on strategic priorities and responsive to the countries’ needs.
• Providing high level technical advice to partners when needed, including supporting capacity building of government officers and development partners to generate, analyze and utilize quality data for evidence-based decision making, policy and program formulation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Assessing implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution and ensuring their integration.
• Ensure colleagues and partners are PSEA aware, have been trained and are compliant.

B. Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management for Policy Advocacy.

• Overseeing achievement of programme results by ensuring that monitoring and oversight mechanisms are established and implemented
• Provides technical support to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents to address SRH, Gender and Youth Development issues in the country.
• Ensuring effective knowledge management strategies are implemented by the programme team, capturing lessons learned for program iteration, identifying international and national good practices for future planning; addressing training needs of partners and staff, and above all, providing the evidence base needed to support policy and funding shifts within the government to invest in Morocco’s social capital.
• Supervise the team and advise implementing partners in the country in preparing and submitting technical and financial reports in conformity with signed donor agreements and in accordance to UNFPA guidelines and standards.
• Actively participate in the evaluation and documentation of program results in the country, best practices and lessons learned and effectively share these with relevant partners to inform programming, policy and advocacy.
• Collect feedback from stakeholders and participators to effectively monitor the technical quality and financial effectiveness and accountability of UNFPA-supported programmes.
• Support capacity building of team members to generate, analyze and utilize quality data for evidence-based decision making, policy and program formulation, monitoring and evaluation.

C. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy:

• Advocate for policy changes and reforms that align with the goals of the UNFPA documents.
• Provide opportunities for capacity building and knowledge sharing among thematic program managers and their teams.
• Facilitate peer learning sessions, workshops, and training programs on relevant topics.
• Encourage the documentation and sharing of best practices and lessons learned across thematic areas.
• Conduct periodic reviews of the program implementation process to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Adapt strategies based on changing contexts, emerging needs, and new opportunities.
• Maintain flexibility to respond to unforeseen challenges and adjust priorities accordingly.

D. Partnerships and Communications

• Establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships with strategic partners, development partners, UN agencies and implementing partners and other duty bearers in the country to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of programmes.
• Reviewing the political, social and economic environment relevant to UNFPA programme activities in the country and pursuing opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. This includes promoting UNFPA’s mandate areas in national development planning and budgeting processes in the country, and policies.
• Actively promoting and supporting UN Reform/delivering as one initiative and the UN Area Coordination in the country to strengthen coordination, coherence and efficiency of the programmes.
• Provide leadership in demonstrating UNFPA’s work to the government and development partners to enhance goodwill and partnership.
• Maintain solid, cooperative, and multi-sectoral working relationships with the Government, UN partner agencies and other stakeholders. Liaise with partners to ensure that ICPD agenda is taken into consideration.

E. Administration, Management and Representation

• Liaising with the Operations Manager and the Programme Delivery and Coordination Specialist to strengthen support to team members.
• Facilitating professional development of staff and promote their safety and well-being.
• Represent UNFPA at key events where required, with regard to UNFPA’s mandate.
• Provide leadership, supervise and regularly appraise staff.

F. General Support

• Stand-in for other team members on selected functions as may be required.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Master’s Degree in health, population, demography, development, gender, youth development, law and/or other related social science field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities;
• Specialized knowledge and experience within M&E, Health Systems Strengthening and integrated SRH, gender, and youth development approaches will be desired;
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation; programme/project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes;
• Experience in fruitfully and diplomatically engaging government agencies will be an asset.
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset;
• Excellent communication skills and experience with management of staff in multi-locations;
• Substantive work experience in the field of SRH, gender, and youth development;
• Specialized knowledge and experience within Health Systems Strengthening and integrated SRH, gender, and youth development approaches is desirable;
• A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in Morocco will be an added advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to work in and lead a diverse multi-skilled team.

Languages:

Fluency in Arabic, French and English is needed.