The Position:
The Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist post is located in the United Nations and Intergovernmental Affairs Branch (UNIB), Division for External Relations (DER). Reporting to the United Nations Affairs Coordinator, and working in close collaboration with all members of UNIB, the Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist will be working as part of the team responsible for facilitating the development of UNFPA’s strategic positioning in UN reform and inter-agency matters. The Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist will manage assigned portfolios within the team, maintain regular contact with external partners and organizational focal points to position UNFPA’s mandate in inter-agency coordination dialogues, mechanisms, and processes to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
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:
The Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist plays a key role to facilitate the development of UNFPA’s strategic positioning in UN reform and promoting and positioning UNFPA in inter-agency matters and affairs. The Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist prepares strategic analysis to guide UNFPA’s position and develop action plans for the Fund’s strategic engagement with partners in the inter-agency processes. The Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist will manage a specific portfolio in the team and act as a focal point for UN strategic financing, common business operations, and will provide necessary guidance to the UNFPA Regional and Country Offices to advance the implementation of the UN Development System reform. The Inter-Agency Affairs Specialist will explore, expand and manage partnerships and promote strategic collaboration with UN agencies, the Member States and counterparts for positioning UNFPA’s mandate in intergovernmental and interagency processes and ensure full engagement within UNIB, DER and across relevant UNFPA offices and divisions.
You would be responsible for:
- Preparing strategic analysis to guide UNFPA’s position and development of the action plans for the Fund’s strategic engagement with partners in the inter-agency processes;
- Identifying risks, opportunities, and impact of the UNDS reform and inter-agency processes on UNFPA’s operations and mandate;
- Independently managing a specific portfolio, under the overall guidance of the United Nations Affairs Coordinator, and acting as a focal point for UN strategic financing, common business operations, and will provide necessary guidance to the UNFPA Regional and Country Offices to advance the implementation of the UN Development System reform;
- Participating in and representing UNFPA in inter-agency fora related to UN system-wide coherence.
- Providing strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNFPA staff in the inter-agency affairs and interaction with strategic partners;
- Developing briefing notes and other material to support UNFPA Senior Management’s participation in the inter-agency meetings;
- Identifying corporate areas in need of updates, including policies and procedures, and developing guidance for incorporating UN Coherence-related changes/principles, working with focal divisions/offices on necessary updates;
- Maintaining and facilitating active engagement in inter-agency processes across the organizational business units; country, regional and liaison offices, including through the internal Inter-Divisional Working Group (IDWG) on UN Reform
- Engaging with member states delegations and relevant officials in the UN Secretariat and other agencies to facilitate the objectives of the Fund in the UN system-wide processes and promote the centrality of UNFPA’s mandate within the global development agenda.
- Providing guidance and maintaining communication with field colleagues on issues related to UN coherence as a part of field engagement and knowledge management;
- Monitoring compliance and capacity of ROs, COs on UN Reform;
- Leading/facilitating knowledge sharing opportunities through various regional and global meetings; oversee the development of relevant guides and tools.
Any other duties as advised by the UNIB Chief and/or DER Director.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Master’s Degree or equivalent in social sciences, international relations, development studies or related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
- 5 years of relevant professional experience, of which 3 years at the international level. Field experience at the country or regional levels preferably with a UN agency is highly desirable
- Knowledge of external relations and the UN System; networking and advocacy as well as substantive areas of UNFPA’s work;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as proven experience in inter-agency coordination, negotiations, facilitation and reporting;
- Innovative and sound judgment;
- Dedication to the United Nations principles and demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Working 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,
- Communicating for impact.
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 mobilization,
- Facilitating quality programme results.
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.
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