Deputy Representative, Jamaica SRO, Bridgetown, Barbados, P-5

Organizational Context

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization's Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 focuses on accelerating the ICPD Programme of Action and achieving the SDGs by 2030. This role operates within a complex global environment, emphasizing resilience, renewal, and high-impact results.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Representative plays a pivotal role in strengthening national capacity to implement the ICPD Programme of Action and achieve the SDGs. In collaboration with the UNFPA Representative, this position is accountable for the development and management of an innovative Country Programme focused on population and development, and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The role involves promoting program goals nationally, integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights into the national development agenda, and delivering effective programs, including in emergency settings, thereby validating UNFPA's mandate and its ability to achieve high-quality results.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Representative leads the development, management, and monitoring of the Country Programme, aligning it with the strategic plan and national policies. This includes assessing national trends, expanding UNFPA's portfolio, and establishing quality standards for project delivery. Responsibilities encompass overseeing programme monitoring and evaluation, ensuring adherence to corporate reporting, and integrating UNFPA's mandate into humanitarian preparedness and response plans. The role also focuses on developing national capacity for ICPD commitments, promoting health system strengthening, and fostering an enabling environment for rights-based policies. Building and maintaining partnerships with government, donors, and UN agencies is crucial, as is advocating for the ICPD agenda and pursuing resource mobilization opportunities. The Deputy Representative supports the Representative in managing country office operations, staff, and resources, ensuring compliance with security standards.

Work Experience

Requires 10 years of progressive professional experience in public administration and international development, including programme design, appraisal, and management. At least 8 years must be in population and development, sexual and reproductive health, or humanitarian work at the international level. Experience in advocacy, policy dialogue, media/communication, leading teams, and field experience in developing or humanitarian contexts is essential.

Skills

Core competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, embracing cultural diversity and change, achieving results, accountability, professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Managerial competencies involve strategic focus, stakeholder engagement, leadership, people development, performance culture, and decision-making. UN Leadership Characteristics emphasize being norm-based, principled, inclusive, accountable, multi-dimensional, transformational, collaborative, and self-applied.

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