National Post: Assistant Representative, NOC, FTA, Bogota, Colombia

Organizational Context

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. This role contributes to the UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, accelerating the ICPD Programme of Action and SDGs. The Assistant Representative works within a complex global environment, focusing on four key outcomes: family planning, maternal deaths, gender-based violence, and demographic change adaptation.

Job Purpose

The Assistant Representative contributes to managing UNFPA programme activities in population and development, reproductive health, and gender. This role advances the ICPD policy agenda in a politically sensitive environment, responding to government priorities and fostering partnerships with government, multi-lateral agencies, and civil society. The position involves coordinating technical advisors and contributing to UN system coordination through policy dialogue and joint initiatives. Reporting to the UNFPA Representative or Deputy Representative, the Assistant Representative may act on their behalf as required, ensuring effective programme delivery and alignment with organizational goals.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Representative conducts policy dialogue with government and partners to integrate UNFPA priorities into national plans and UN frameworks. They translate global strategies into country-specific advocacy, creating evidence-based messages and promoting UNFPA's programme goals with sensitivity to political and social contexts. The role promotes a results-based approach, integrating innovative policies into programme design and ensuring responsiveness to country needs. Responsibilities include facilitating programme results by coordinating inputs, monitoring, and evaluating consultants, and promoting knowledge sharing of best practices. The Assistant Representative contributes to resource mobilization by identifying donors, preparing proposals, and supporting coordinated assistance. They lead adaptations in programme management for humanitarian situations, ensuring delivery of essential services to displaced populations. The role also enhances UNFPA's interagency positioning through participation in groups, contributing to joint products, and leading joint programming opportunities. Analysis of population, reproductive health, gender, youth, and humanitarian issues informs institutional responses and advocacy strategies.

Work Experience

Requires 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in development and population activities, including programme design, appraisal, and management. Demonstrated ability to refine programme design with a strategic focus, align objectives with national priorities, and manage finance and human resources. Proven ability to lead teams to achieve results, with experience in resource mobilization and humanitarian response. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential for high-level partnerships.

Skills

Programme design and management, policy dialogue, advocacy, resource mobilization, partnership building, team leadership, strategic planning, results-based management, knowledge sharing, humanitarian response, excellent written and oral communication.

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