Population and Development Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Population and Development Specialist

Job Identification: 00056355
Location: Abuja
Job Schedule: Full Time
Contract Duration: Initial one year (Renewable based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance)
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Job Category: Management
Grade: NOD

The Position

• The Programme Management Specialist, Population and Development heads the Population and Development Unit and reports to the UNFPA Deputy Representative and acts on  her/his behalf in her/his absence.
• She/he will serve as a member of the senior management team in the Country Office, working closely with the Deputy Representative, Representative and the Operations Manager. 
• She/he will therefore be a critical lead staff member for advancing UNFPA issues and the UN reform within the national and sub-national development frameworks, plans, and budgets working closely in collaboration with relevant UNFPA staff and other stakeholders (relevant Government counterparts, sister UN agencies and other partners) in the thematic areas of sexual reproductive health and rights, gender/GBV, adolescents and youth, and humanitarian action) aimed at addressing issues of women, girls and young people.
• This will includes supporting the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at both national and sub-national levels, and other relevant partners in developing national and sub-national systems that is responsive to the needs of all sectors as well as the needs of women, girls and young people.
• In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP), UNFPA provides technical support to build stakeholders’ capacity to increase the use of data in decision-making at national and subnational levels, promoting incorporation of key sustainable development issues linked to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SRHR), population change and a life-cycle, gender transformative, rights-based approach in short-, medium- and long-term planning, financing and monitoring instruments, and data-backed and evidence-based policy advice for accelerating achievement of the ICPD Programme of Action and Agenda 2030.  With a demographic context characterised by very slow fertility decrease, high maternal mortality, high unmet need for family planning, and a youthful and rapidly growing population, it is paramount for the demographic dividend agenda to be clearly and effectively integrated in the National Development Plan (2021-2025), as well as other medium-term Government planning instruments and sectoral strategies. 
• In line with the recommendations of the UNFPA Strategic Plan and considering the need to continue playing an active role in providing quality evidence-based advocacy to influence investment decisions of the sub-national, national, and international development partners as well as government in the area of population change, data, monitoring and policy development, UNFPA Nigeria Country Office (CO) requires the services of a Programme Management Specialist in Population and Development based in Abuja, Nigeria.
• She/he will provide strategic support in achieving the Population and Development-related outputs of the Country Programme and provide technical expertise/guidance, quality assurance, policy application.
• More specifically she/he will advise the Deputy Representative on the national development policies in the relevant sector and ensures UNFPA’s priorities are well taken care of during sector policy discussions with the Government and the development partners.
• The incumbent ensures strategic advocacy and policy advice at the highest levels for the assigned areas.

How you can make a difference

• UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and other harmful practices. 
• 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 Purpose

• In a world where the SDGs broadly provide comprehensive and inclusive programme to provide a high level of prosperity, comfort, and quality of life to women, girls and young people and the opportunities to ‘leave no one behind’, and to ‘reach the furthest behind first', work stream on programme management will strengthen and deepen understanding and monitoring of progress towards such Goals and the ICPD. 
• Under the guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Programme Management Specialist, Population and Development will support the UNFPA Representative in overall accountability for the management and work in Population and Development within the Country Office.
• She/he will liaise directly with the Country Office team of professionals for quality assurance, policy application, effective and sound resources and programme data, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring results-based, gender-transformative and peace-responsive management across both operations and substantive activities.
• She/he will ensure the successful implementation of the data operations agenda of UNFPA (Census, Survey and CRVS).
• He/she will also liaise with the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning and other line ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to guide and ensure the successful integration of population issues into national and sub-national development plans. 
• She/he will provide innovative technical knowledge and deliver substantive technical advice on current and emerging approaches in population change and data and policies to CO, government, intergovernmental bodies, and the UN. She/he works to ensure strong programme management of the P&D portfolio; strengthen technical capacities of national experts; improve the quality, relevance and usefulness of population change and data; and promote a more effective and extensive use of population data for development planning.
• In all activities she/he will fosters collaboration within the UNFPA Technical Division, Western and Central Africa Regional Office and the Country Office, ensuring the national implementation of international best practices in population change, data and policies.
• She/he will support the Deputy Representative to lead the programme and operations team, translate the global, regional, country, and sub-national goals to deliver results at the country and sub-national levels through quality programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, while promoting knowledge management approaches and practices.
• She/he will coordinate the process of developing quality country programmes that prioritise acceleration towards the transformative results and is part of a team providing integrated programme and technical support at country and regional levels.
• She/he will provide leadership to improve programme quality for enhanced performance and results, by facilitating implementation of programme management policies, procedures, and quality standards. This includes strategic advice and analysis of emerging programming issues and opportunities across the UN system.
• She/he will foster collaboration across thematic areas and national and sub-national levels, ensuring timeliness, adequacy, relevance, and quality of programming support to national and sub-national entities.
• She/he will act as an analyst/advisor, proactively providing the Deputy Representative and the Representative with information on achievement of results in the implementation of UNFPA programme.
• The incumbent ensures strategic advocacy and policy advice at the highest levels for the assigned areas, and will establish, maintain, and foster collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society partners, to address emerging issues on population change and other megatrends and to facilitate programme delivery.
• Overall, she/he has a triple role of supporting the formulation and delivery of the UNFPA country programme, playing a leadership role to the programme team in the country office while overseeing all functions related to the country programme, including strategic planning and implementation in line with the Country Programme Document and the UNFPA Strategic Plan (2022-2025), and supporting UNFPA’s integration and participation in the Delivering as One modality in Nigeria.

You would be responsible for
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and guidance of the UNFPA Representative, the Programme Management Specialist, Population and Development will support the Deputy Representative and Representative in the following areas:

Programme Leadership:

• Support country programme design, implementation, monitoring and reporting with appropriate guidance and orientation of implementing partners on effective modalities and practices.
• Act as UNFPA liaison with the Government, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders on national priorities; and proactively provides the country office management with timely information to guide CO actions within the national context.
• Contribute to CO areas of technical assistance, strategic partnerships, and innovation based on continuous review and analysis of national trends, demographic, and socio-economic data.
• Contribute to development of staff member portfolios to facilitate capacity building and guide programme implementation with engagements in substantive oversight and effective programme management.
• Promote knowledge management practices, including continuous learning, documenting innovative strategies, lessons learned, best practices, and supports the CO to advocate for scaling up successful interventions with national partners and regional office using south-south cooperation and
• Provide mentorship and coaching support to staff members with a focus on improving staff performance towards delivery of measurable programme results within a cohesive team.
• Participate in formulation, implementation, and review of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and contribute to the UN system wide policy coherence through participation in policy dialogues, thematic groups, and joint programmes.

National Capacity Development:

• Support the UNFPA Representative, and the Deputy Representative to implement a strategy for capacity development at national and sub-national levels within the context of the global and regional strategies.
• Facilitate the creation of an enabling environment within relevant national institutions to advance the implementation of the ICPD agenda.
• Support development of national institutional and technical capacities to monitor, evaluate and learn from relevant capacity development initiatives and

Advocacy:

• Support the CO efforts to advocate for ICPD agenda and incorporation of UNFPA’s three transformative results within national plans, policies, and programmes in line with national priorities.
• Support the country office to maintain a continuous flow of information with government, development partners as well as UN agencies through the DaO modality.
• Support the staff with appropriate guidance, to engage in the broader UN Reform agenda and development partner coordination as appropriate.

Resource mobilization and partnerships:

• Support the CO engagements with government, donors and development partners on priority investments required for the achievement of the three transformative results in Nigeria.
• Support the CO resource mobilization efforts by coordinating the development and implementation of the Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy and facilitating the documentation of best practices in resource mobilization and partnerships establishment.
• Support CO efforts to leverage resources from government and development partners to expand the financing base for the ICPD Programme of Action in Nigeria.
• Support the CO management of funds (core and non-core) to ensure efficient utilization and reporting.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the UNFPA Representative, Deputy Representative, Regional Office or Headquarters.

Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master’s Degree in Demography, Population Studies, Statistics, Geography, Economics, Public Health, Sociology, Development Studies, with an emphasis on demography, or related field, as well as a first-level university degree in any of the same fields. Programming experience is necessary to perform this task.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of population and development, with good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods. 
• Strong results-based programme management experience, with particular focus on strategic planning and capacity building. 
• Previous experience working with the UN and understanding of Human Rights dimensions of Population and Development, an asset.
• Experience in national and/or sectoral policy dialogue, especially in the context of UN Reform and Joint Programming, and the new aid environment, would be a distinct advantage. 
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
• Demonstrated ability to produce quality policy analysis, papers, and briefs.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to make compelling oral presentations.
• Understanding of development planning and policy processes.
• Experience in large scale national surveys and censuses.
• Highly motivated, proactive and ability to work both independently and in teams.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required - strong capability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written English.

Required Competencies:
Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Innovation in the provision of technical expertise, and Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/Building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Job knowledge/Technical expertise: Good knowledge of population data and research – population dynamics and interrelationships. 
• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda. 
• Delivering results-based programmes 
• Facilitating quality programme results 
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation.

Core Competencies:

• Integrity/Commitment to our mandate/Valuing Diversity
• Performance Management. 
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Developing People/Coaching and Mentoring and Fostering Innovation and Empowerment; 
  Working in Teams/managing ourselves and our relationships. 
• Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence. 
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence. 
• Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning
• Achieving results, 
• Being accountable, 
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, 
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing, and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment.

UN Leadership Characteristics:

• Norm-based - grounded in UN norms and standards.
• Principled - defends norms and standards without discrimination, fear, or favour.
• Inclusive of all personnel and stakeholders
• Accountable
• Multi-dimensional
• Transformational
• Collaborative
• Self-applied - modelled in our own behaviour.

Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary inclusive of rent, health insurance and other benefits as applicable. 

Application Closing Date
4th May, 2023 (04:59 PM).

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

UNFPA Work Environment

• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.
• We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.