The Position:

Afghanistan is confronting an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with a very real risk of systemic collapse and human catastrophe that threatens to cancel many of the development gains of the last 20 years. The situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated in recent months due to the conflict with the political power shift, and drought. Following 40 years of war, increasing hunger, economic decline, and rising poverty resulted in the people of Afghanistan facing intensified conflict, the withdrawal of international forces and then the takeover of the country by the Taliban in August 2021.
UNFPA has been providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. The interventions have been scaled up since the Taliban took over in August 2021. The overall goal of UNFPA’s interventions in the humanitarian context in Afghanistan is to provide lifesaving reproductive health services; and prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence cases among the affected population, including women, girls and young people.
UNFPA Country Office in Afghanistan is seeking a full-time Humanitarian Coordinator to perform coordination function by working closely with humanitarian agencies (UN and international NGOs), donors and other partners to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response providing humanitarian assistance to crisis-affected communities.

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 (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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:

Under the supervision of the UNFPA Representative, the Humanitarian Coordinator will ensure effective and efficient coordination, programmatic and operational support to UNFPA’s humanitarian programming and response in Afghanistan as relevant. The focus of the response is on RH and GBV, requiring close coordination with the respective CO teams. The Humanitarian Coordinator shall perform the following duties and responsibilities, but not limited to:

A. Coordination of the CO humanitarian interventions:
• Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian interventions as outlined in Humanitarian Appeal; and lead the provision of UNFPA inputs in the development of inter-agency, humanitarian appeals and other programming instruments, in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan.
• Support the representative during the implementation of the CO’s minimum preparedness plans (MPAs).
• Participate and/or represent UNFPA in UN inter-agency meetings for humanitarian country team (HCT) as needed and upon request by the Representative.
• Regularly liaise with the Regional Humanitarian Advisor of APRO to coordinate the work.

B. Programmatic and operational support:
• Coordinate and provide strategic inputs in the CO preparation of humanitarian strategy, including key deliverables such as internal SitReps, donor proposals and reports, as well as key advocacy messages and plan of action, fact sheets, Fast Track Procedures, briefing notes, as well as internal information briefs.
• Supervise the Humanitarian Unit of the country office, composed of the SRHiE Specialist, A&Y Working Group Coordinator, RHCS Specialist, National Humanitarian Specialist, National Humanitarian Access Officer, and three Information Management [UNVs].

C. Assessment and Planning:
• Provide strategic and substantive inputs to the CO in preparing different strategies for and responses to the humanitarian programming of the CO.
• In close collaboration with the CO M&E and units responsible for assessment and planning processes, including engagement in various assessments related to humanitarian preparedness and response.

D. Partnership and Resource Mobilization:
• Support the Representative and work closely with the Resource Mobilization and Partnership focal person during engagement with donors and relevant stakeholders.
• Engage in humanitarian funding discussions and ensure the development of funding proposals and meet donor reporting requirements as needed.

And perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Humanitarian Assistance, Medicines, Public Health, Social Sciences, Demography, Gender and/or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in coordinating, developing and implementing humanitarian interventions in crisis settings.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian reform process and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors.
• Experience in interagency coordination in complex crises. Experience in managing large scale humanitarian programme and fund management.
• Technical expertise in RH, including MISP implementation and RH Emergency Kits.
• Ability to develop and coordinate SRH programmes that target affected communities.
• Strong analytical, coordination and organizational skills and ability to work efficiently under high pressure.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Skills in building strategic alliances and partnerships, strong communication and networking and excellent organizational skills.
• Good level of emotional intelligence, empathy and conflict management as well as negotiating skills.
• Familiarity with the UN Common System at the field and international level is an asset.
• Excellent spoken and written communications skills.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN language is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

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

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Strategically positioning UNFPA programmes
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information
• Providing a technical support system
• Strengthening the programming capacity of Country Offices
• Facilitating quality programmatic results
• Internal and External communication and advocacy for results mobilization

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

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.