The Position:

The Head of Office leads the country team in the development and management of the Country Programme including Humanitarian activities in support of efforts to achieve UNFPA’s transformative results and the ICPD PoA, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNFPA´s goals in the Humanitarian Response Plan. S/he reports to the non-resident Country Director, who provides overall vision, strategic guidance, support and oversight for the implementation of UNFPA programmes in the country.
Additionally, as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Head of Office has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to whom s/he periodically reports on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other inter-agency agreements of the UNCT.

You will report directly to the Deputy Regional Director.

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:

YThe Head of Office is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of UNFPA activities, and maintains an overall accountability for the achievement of UNFPA strategic results in the country.
S/he actively supports the Resident Coordinator/UN Country Team and Humanitarian Coordinator/Humanitarian Country Team and strategically positions UNFPA’s work within the context of the UNSDCF development and implementation, which should inform the UNCT activities and composition, and the specific focus of the UNFPA country programme.
S/he is responsible for establishing a dialogue, promoting partnerships and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, UN system, multi/bilateral agencies, civil society, private-sector and other stakeholders in the country to develop and implement programmes that respond to national priorities and efforts to advance the ICPD Programme of Action and in support of the SDGs achievement.
The Head of Office manages a team of technical, programme and operations personnel supporting country programme implementation, managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of high-quality results. S/he is accountable for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory, and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel.

You would be responsible for:

A. Programme leadership, planning and management.
B. External relationships and resource mobilization.
C. Leading and managing the country team.
D. Under the Country Director guidance: Adopted the Triple Nexus Approach

A. Programme leadership, planning and management.

• Adapt UNFPA’s global strategies to fit Venezuela’s specific needs. Focus Areas: Reduce adolescent pregnancy through comprehensive sexual education. Address gender-based violence. Prioritize women, adolescents, people with disabilities, indigenous and afro-descendant populations.
• Conducting policy dialogue with Government, UN System and other development partners to incorporate UNFPA’s priorities and agenda into national plans and strategies, UNSDCF, HCP and other joint initiatives and development frameworks;
• Translating global agreements into country-specific advocacy strategies to promote the national plans. This includes creating and delivering evidence-based advocacy messages to promote UNFPA’s programme goals, taking into account political and social sensitivity.
• Ensuring application of Results Based Management principles in all phases of country programme development and implementation, integrating innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of country programme, sub-programmes and projects.
• Identifying, providing and coordinating inputs into programme development and implementation, ensuring programme monitoring and oversight, and coordinating and evaluating the inputs of technical experts.
• Ensure timely, high-quality reports that consider the complex relationships between different stakeholders.
  Coordinate the development and implementation of UNFPA’s humanitarian and preparedness actions/efforts in-country.

B. External relationships and resource mobilization

• Representing UNFPA at technical level meetings and high-level meetings under delegated authority from UNFPA non-resident Country Director and in consultation with the UN RC;
• Managing strategic partnerships with key national and international in-country stakeholders in advancing the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s mandate.
• Leading resource mobilization efforts by identifying potential donors, preparing proposals including outlining co-financing resources for support to the country programme, and supporting the government and other agencies in coordinating assistance for programmes.
• Collaborate with the Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UN Country Team; Humanitarian Country Team.
• Actively supporting the RC /HC within the context of the UNSDCF results framework, and the Humanitarian Country Plan.
• Ensuring that the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s transformative results are fully considered and integrated in the agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the SDGs; Representing UNFPA Venezuela at UNCT and Security Management Team (SMT).
• Collaborate with RC in coordinated resource mobilization efforts for joint UN efforts.
• Encourage inter-agency collaboration, aligning with UN Reform principles.

C. Leading and managing the country team

• Ensure all staff understand their roles and responsibilities within the team, following UNFPA policies and procedures. Keeping team members informed of updates and relevant learning opportunities.
• Managing country team staff; foster motivation, empowerment and learning. All team members understand their roles and responsibilities, can thrive, feel valued and empowered in an inclusive workplace, receive regular feedback, and can develop their skills.
• Regular communication with team members, open communication is encouraged, new team members have received comprehensive induction support.
• Setting standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Office Strategic Information System. Team members have received timely guidance, coaching and are empowered to reach their full potential.
• Managing resources entrusted to you through delegation of authority, to ensure effective achievement of results, maximum value for money, and achievement of efficiencies in programme and operations delivery.
• Ensuring that the Country Office complies with UNFPA policies and procedures, corporate requirements and audit recommendations, including related financial and programme monitoring systems.
• Ensuring the safety, security and wellbeing of staff through compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS)
• Ensuring a work environment free from harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Promote an inclusive environment, free from all forms of discrimination, sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (including sexual harassment) and any sort of power abuse.
• Ensure that all programme beneficiaries are protected against sexual abuse and exploitation committed by any actor affiliated with UNFPA in any way, and that they are informed of reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse and exploitation. Ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken in response to any such reports, in line with corporate requirements and standards.

D. Under the Country Director guidance: Adopted the Triple Nexus Approach

• Used the Triple Nexus Approach to address the ongoing crisis, as outlined in the Country Programme Document.
• Integrated and implemented the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach based on the OECD DAC recommendations.
• Secured Multi-Year Financing. Ensured predictable and flexible funding across all three areas.
• Coordinated efforts with various stakeholders involved in humanitarian, development, and peace-building work.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required or delegated by the Country Director, as and when necessary, to ensure day-to-day management of the office and effective implementation of UNFPA programs.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender Studies, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Administration, Management or other related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of international development, preferably in the area of population and/or Reproductive Health, including programme design, and management.
• Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to represent the organization and foster high-level strategic partnerships.
• Experience in high-level advocacy and policy dialogue, as well as Resource Mobilization and Partnership development.
• Ability to effectively influence partners to engage with UNFPA’s mandate.
• Interest in leading change in achieving national results towards the ICPD PoA and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Languages:

Fluency (spoken, read and written) in English and Spanish required. Knowledge of French or Portuguese is considered an asset.

Required Competencies:

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, 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.