UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, is the world's largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programmes. UNFPA works with governments and non-governmental organizations in over 140 countries in all matters related to the reproductive system. Reproductive health is recognized as a human right, part of the right to health. UNFPA assists countries to formulate population policies and strategies in support of sustainable development.

Job Summary

Organisation: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Type of Contract: Fixed-Term
Level: ICS 10 (NO-C)
Position: 78416

Organizational Context:
Under the overall supervision of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Programme Specialist plays a leadership role in coordinating and managing comprehensive SRHR and related thematic interventions in the northern regions so as to substantively drive the effective achievement of UNFPA programme activities in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights, reducing maternal mortality and accelerating progress on the ICPD agenda and MDG 5. This includes ensuring linkages with the areas of population and development and gender equality and rights; specifically in the context of women and young people (including adolescents). Particular attention is paid to family planning, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, reproductive health commodity security, HIV and AIDS, Fistula and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)

The Programme Specialist analyses the SRHR situation within the context of the political, social and economic environment in country (with special emphasis on the northern regions). He/she is proactive in preparing reports, updates and information progress and achievements in the SRHR components of UNFPA supported programme, in line with results-based management. He/she ensures provides inputs into and ensures coherence with the agreed national and international planning framework, including UNFPA Strategic Plan, the Delivery as One Framework, United Nations Development Assistance Framework, the Country Programme Plan, and Annual Workplan.

The Programme Specialist establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies and civil society to address emerging issues and to facilitate programme delivery. He/she must effectively influence counterparts and work with networks, including civil society, to advance the ICPD agenda, through partnerships and national capacity strengthening, as well as other approaches such as south-south cooperation. He/she actively contributes to policy dialogue and in line with the Accra Agenda for Action, Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, provides supports to related sectoral planning and review processes as these affect SRHR.

The Programme Specialist is a budget owner and thus is accountable for ensuring the proper disbursement and absorption of funds to implementing agencies. He/she is also accountable for ensuring that programme staff in the Tamale Decentralised office (DO) proactively manage their budgets and spending in line with programme plans and UNFPA policies and procedures.

The Programme Specialist supervises all staff in the Tamale DO and is responsible for the fulfillment of all people management responsibilities in this regard; including the management of performance, involvement in recruitment, training and development, and leave and attendance.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

•  Technical Expertise/Management:
•  Programme Management:
•  Funds Management:
•  People Management & Leadership:
•  Administrative Management
•  Other managerial and/or programme implementation duties assigned by the Rep./Dep.Representative

Qualification Required & Experience

Required Competencies
Functonal Competencies:

•  Advocacy/Advancing a policy oriented agenda
•  Results-based programme development and management
•  Innovation and marketing of new approaches
•  Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/buidling strategic alliances and partners
•  Resource mobilization
•  Training and facilitation skills
•  Ability to conduct operational/interventional research

Core Competencies:

•  Values: Integrity/Commitment to mandate, knowledge sharing/continuous learning, value diversity
•  Managing Relationships: Workng in teams, communicating information and ideas, conflict ad self-management
•  Working with people: Empowerment/Developing people/performance management
•  Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and analytical thinking, results orientation/commitment to excellence, appropriate and transparent decision making
•  Good financial management skills

Job Requirements
Academic Requirements:

•  Master's degree in public health, medicine, population, demography and/or other related social science field.

Experience:

•  At least 5 years professional experience in the field of population and development activities; preferably in programme/project management in the public or private sector (at national level)
•  Experience in working with government institutions, NGOs and/or donor institutions
•  Conversant with national frameworks and policies on reproductive health (particularly maternal health and adolescents and youth) and other population issues and their linkages with changing global environment
•  Good knowledge of programme formulation and implementation mechanisms of the United Nations country programmes and familiarity with UNFPA programmes and policies
•  Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results
•  Excellent written and communication skills to foster engaged partnership at high level representation

Languages:

•  Fluency in oral and written English
•  A second UN language is an asset

Computer Skills:

•  Proficiency in current office software applications
•  Proficiency in PeopleSoft, and other computerized applications used by the UN

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Please refer to: www.UNFPAGhana.org  To Download the P11 Employment Form. Applications to be addressed to the Representative at:

ghana.office@unfpa.org

Completion of United Nations Personal History form (P11) is mandatory, no resume is required. Interest Letter to indicate position applied for.

Closing Date: 13 September, 2013