Organization Mission

UNFPA works to improve the lives of people in more than 150 countries around the world, which are home to 80 percent of the world”s population. In Latin America and the Caribbean region and sub-region, UNFPA has offices in 30 countries.

UNFPAs Regional Office in Panama City, Panama provides strategic support and technical advice to the Country Offices: technical cooperation, training and support to empower our partners and colleagues on the ground to ensure that the reproductive health and rights of women and young people are placed at the very centre of development.

Context

Hurricane Melissa has recently impacted Jamaica and several Caribbean islands, resulting in significant humanitarian needs, including disruption of essential health services, displacement, and heightened risks of gender-based violence. In response, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO), based in Panama, is providing regional coordination, technical guidance, and strategic support to country offices and partners to ensure that sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and data systems are prioritized in the humanitarian response.

As part of this strategic effort, LACRO will be convening a Regional Donor Roundtable on Humanitarian Preparedness and Response, which will bring together key humanitarian donors, UN agencies, regional institutions, and civil society partners. The roundtable will serve as a platform to present UNFPA’s new humanitarian vision, highlight lessons learned from ongoing responses such as Hurricane Melissa, and mobilize support for a more integrated and resilient humanitarian architecture in the region.

To advance these efforts, UNFPA is seeking an International UN Volunteer to support Humanitarian Coordination and Donor Engagement. Working under the guidance of the Regional Humanitarian Advisor a.i., the Volunteer will contribute to the coordination of the support to Country Offices involved in the response to Hurricane Melissa and follow-up on the organization of the regional donor roundtable, strengthen communication and partnership efforts with key stakeholders, and support knowledge management and advocacy related to the regional humanitarian strategy and current emergency responses.

Key Responsibilities

1. Humanitarian Coordination, Advocacy, and Donor Engagement – Regional Support to the Hurricane Melissa Response
● Support regional coordination and information management: Compile situation updates, maintain contact lists, and ensure timely flow of information between LACRO, Country Offices, and HQ units involved in the Hurricane Melissa response.
● Assist in monitoring and follow-up of the Policies and Procedures for Emergency Response (EPPs) deliverables: Track progress on country-level Strategic and Functional Plans, surge deployments, and reporting requirements under the Policies and Procedures for Emergency Response (EPPs).
● Contribute to documentation and reporting: Draft meeting notes, prepare situation reports, and support the preparation of briefs, presentations, and donor updates for the regional coordination team.
● Facilitate operational and logistical support: Coordinate virtual and in-person meetings, maintain shared platforms and files, and assist with administrative and procurement follow-up related to the response.2. Organization of the Donor roundtable
● Concept Note and Agenda: Lead the finalization of the concept note and agenda for the Regional Donor Roundtable on Humanitarian Preparedness and Response, ensuring that the ongoing emergency response to Hurricane Melissa is reflected as a key case for advocacy and partnership engagement.
● Regional Coordination and Event Planning: Under the guidance of the Regional Humanitarian Advisor, develop and implement a comprehensive coordination and logistics plan for the roundtable, including invitation management, briefing materials, documentation templates, and virtual participation arrangements to facilitate real-time information flow from the field.
● Stakeholder Mapping and Donor Engagement Database: Produce and maintain an updated mapping of humanitarian donors, regional coordination mechanisms, and strategic partners, building a contact database to support targeted follow-up and sustained donor relations.
● Follow-up and Partnership Roadmap: Develop a post-event roadmap outlining next steps for donor engagement, resource mobilization, and partnership strengthening.
● Advocacy and Lessons Learned Report: Prepare a concise report summarizing key messages, outcomes, and donor feedback from the roundtable.3. REDLAC and R4V (Response for Venezuelans) End-of-Year Meetings
● Meeting Documentation: Prepare and deliver agendas, background notes, and presentations for the REDLAC and R4V GBV Subsector end-of-year meetings.
● Data and Resource Compilation: Compile and organize GBV-related data, dashboards, sit-reps, and service mappings for distribution to meeting participants.
● Final Meeting Reports: Produce summary reports for each meeting, including key discussions, decisions, and follow-up actions

Required Skills and Experience

At least 6 months of relevant work or internship experience in humanitarian settings, migration, gender, or protection. Previous experience in the UN, particularly in UNFPA, in field coordination settings is a strong asset.
● Familiarity with sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV) or protection emergencies desirable
● Knowledge of donor landscape and humanitarian architecture in the LAC Region
● Excellent oral and written skills, excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
● Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
● Excellent interpersonal skills, culturally and socially sensitive, ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels, familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
● Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment, ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
● Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
● Motivated, sound security awareness ability to work with tight deadlines.

Core Competencies

● Exemplifying Integrity
● Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN System
● Embracing cultural diversity
● Embracing change
● 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

Living Conditions

Panama is a unique country and UNFPA conducts a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.