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 PurposeThe Regional Humanitarian Advisor provides technical and programmatic support to the region and Country Offices in all areas related to aspects of emergency preparedness, response and recovery, as this relates to the mandate of UNFPA, specifically situations that impact on sexual and reproductive health, gender and population and development. S/he helps to enhance the capacity of country offices, governments and civil society in preparing and addressing emergency and humanitarian situations.Given the crisis-prone nature of an increasing number of countries in the region, and the scale and complexity of resulting emergencies, you will work toward the integration of humanitarian preparedness and response within the regional programme and country programmes. You will ensure coordination and linkages between development and humanitarian programmes to promote resourceful, resilient strategies and support the integration of UNFPA’s mandate within emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, and resilience plans in West and Central Africa.You would be responsible forStrategy, Policy, Advocacy and Programme Leadership
Lead the process of developing/implementing the Annual Work Plans, and mainstream humanitarian within other work plans, under the Regional Initiative Action Plan, in line with the Strategic Plan;Develop, coordinate, implement and monitor humanitarian initiatives and provide timely support – via deployments or remotely – to countries affected by emergencies including facilitating surge, providing technical inputs to the development and quality assurance of and implementation of country programmes;In close partnership with the Humanitarian team, formulate/contextualize policy guidance and prepare reports to inform decision making by UNFPA senior management and coordinate inputs to inform corporate humanitarian policies, technical reports and updates for HQ, Humanitarian Office (HO) and the UNFPA Humanitarian Steering Committee;Liaise with HQ and COs to resolve operational bottlenecks;In collaboration with the Regional Advisers, provide policy guidance and technical advice to the Country Offices in the understanding and implementation of the UN Humanitarian Reform agenda and its components (including the Cluster Approach). As required, support the Country Offices in developing detailed strategies and designs for advocating and implementing this agenda in the local interagency context.Ensure the integration of the regional humanitarian strategy into the regional program as well as ensure its operational viability in ensuring the participation of women and youth in the promotion of peace, security and human rights conflict and post-conflict situations (UN Resolution 1325).Represent UNFPA on Humanitarian response related issues in the region and elaborate UNFPA’s substantive regional or global perspectives.Participate in policy dialogues, and advocate for substantive issues in international, inter-governmental, UN, and other policy and technical meetings and fora at the regional or global levels.Capacity Development
In coordination with the Humanitarian Office (HO), Regional Office, and Country offices, identify capacity building needs, design and facilitate regional training programmes to strengthen staff and partners’ capacities in emergency preparedness and response;Advise Country Office Teams to incorporate and strengthen emergency preparedness, early warning and early actions, response and recovery programmes and related operational provisions in country programmes;Contribute regional perspective into the preparation, revision, adaption of training materials, manuals and tools, ensuring their availability and monitored use in order to assess their effectiveness for programme implementation.Provide tools and work with country programmes to analyze data for anticipating needs for programmatic assistance in humanitarian responsePartnerships and Resource Mobilization
Coordinate and represent UNFPA in regional inter-agency humanitarian fora related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), humanitarian preparedness and emergency response to position UNFPA mandate areas; prepare briefing materials as needed for WCARO engagement in inter agency platforms;Consult, co-ordinate and liaise with international, multi- and bi-lateral donors, to raise funds for emergency related programmes for the region and COs; oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of humanitarian initiatives funded through Other/Non-core Resources;Identify strategic partnerships, including with academic institutions, humanitarian actors, at the regional and national level;Identify opportunities to influence regional and global policy setting and advocate with relevant government and civil society stakeholders for the inclusion of SRHR and GBV, based on evidence and good practice;Knowledge ManagementLead the identification of opportunities or lessons learned/best practices in humanitarian preparedness and response strategies in the region and ensure that these are incorporated into the UNFPA knowledge sharing system;Support and contribute to emergency related monitoring and evaluations, including development, field testing and application of new tools and methodologies. Participate in reviews and evaluations of UNFPA’s emergency related responses in the region, as well as regional and global policy reviews of such responses.Prepare subject matter documents including but not limited to briefing materials, best practices, lessons learned and success stories for policy dialogues at sub regional or regional levels.Contribute to promotion of technical knowledge, programme evidence, lessons learned and success stories for use in improving programmes, maintaining accessible data bases on best practicesContribute evidence-based best practices and lessons learned from the region to inform and shape global practice and vice versa, including the South-South sharing of knowledge and best practices;Develop with the Technical and Programme Divisions region-wide lessons learnt, best practicesand generate knowledge needed and lessons learnt to shape UNFPA global strategies in theregion;Qualifications and Experience
EducationAdvanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, Economics, International Relations, International Development, Humanitarian Emergencies, Management or other related fields.
Knowledge and Experience10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in managing humanitarian programmes relevant to UNFPA’s mandate, including at least five at international level;Substantive knowledge and practical experience in sexual and reproductive health and/or gender-based violence in emergencies;Proven experience with Emergencies/Humanitarian Response;Good understanding of Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health (RH) implementation and the IASC GBV guidelines;Strong analytical, reporting writing, coordination and organizational skills;Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System;Excellent knowledge of policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and reforms;Experience in providing technical and assistance and capacity building;Field experience, particularly in humanitarian settings.Languages
Fluency in French and proficient working knowledge of English are required.Knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably Spanish, would be an asset.Required Competencies
ValuesExemplifying integrity,Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,Embracing cultural diversity,Embracing changeCore CompetenciesAchieving ResultsBeing AccountableDeveloping and Applying Professional Expertise/Business AcumenThinking analytically and Strategically Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our RelationshipsCommunicating for ImpactFunctional CompetenciesAdvocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agendaLeveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnershipsDelivering results-based programmeInternal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilizationStrengthening the program capacity of Country officesLeading Global Advocacy for Organizational PrioritiesStrategically Positioning UNFPA ProgrammesManagerial Competencies Providing strategic focus,Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performanceMaking decisions and exercising judgmentCompensation and BenefitsThis position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.Closing date : 22 March 2024.