The Position:

The Project Specialist oversees project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks. You will lead the project team and collaborate with the Country Office’s programs and operations and administrative support staff.

He or She will report to the Country Representative in close coordination with the Assistant Representative

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every (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, of the Covid- 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:

Working within a Country Office (CO) environment, you will ensure the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of population and development, reproductive health and gender.

Employing your programme management experience, you will oversee the work of the Project team as well as consultants, advisors, and experts. You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.

You would be responsible for:

• Lead and manage the multiyear Japan-funded project aimed at construction/renovation of 20 health facilities in 12 municipalities in Timor-Leste that will provide Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care. Collaborate closely with the UNFPA CO team, government partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee project components, ensuring alignment with government priorities and UNFPA program policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement systems for project planning/budgeting, execution, monitoring, and evaluation including risk management to meet the project’s quality standards within the defined time and budget constraints.
• Ensure project results are delivered according to the agreed work plan in accordance with the appropriate policies and establish robust monitoring, reporting and oversight mechanisms.
• Build and maintain partnerships with the Government of Japan, executing agencies, experts, government counterparts, and other UN and other bilateral agencies (UNICEF, WHO, DFAT, USAID) to facilitate the timely and effective delivery of project inputs.
• Establish relationships with key Government authorities (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works, Municipalities) to efficient execution of the project activities.
• Facilitate the work of the Project Steering Committee and Project Technical Committee
• Guide the team in documenting the project implementation process and outcomes. Provide technical input for designing communication materials related to GBV programs, including IEC/BCC interventions on maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence.
• Contribute to knowledge creation by documenting lessons learned, best practices, and replicable strategies, and actively sharing this knowledge.
• Support relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, speeches, and donor profiles, and by participating in related meetings and public events.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced degree in management, social science discipline and other related disciplines.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities;
• Professional experience in managing multi-year projects
• At least five years of increasing experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector projects with construction, specifically health care settings, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners;
• Proven experience in managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants;
• Field experience in Public Health will be an asset;
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English; preferably Tetum and/or Portuguese, is desirable.

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

Managerial Competencies:

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 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.