The Position:

The position of Policy and Advocacy Adviser is located in the UNFPA Addis Ababa Representation Office (UNFPA-AARO) to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and works under the overall direction and supervision of the Chief, Addis Ababa Representation Office.

The Adviser will also collaborate closely with the UNFPA Regional Offices covering Africa and the Country Offices.

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:

In line with the urgency for reinvigorated multilateralism in line with the UN Charter, as a Policy and Advocacy Adviser, you will play a leading role within the Representation Office in the in building and further strengthening strategic partnership of UNFPA and in handling programmatic and technical aspects under UNFPA’s mandate. You will contribute to developing and implementing appropriate UNFPA engagement strategies with the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Community (RECs), UNECA and other continental institutions such as AUDA-NEPAD, African Development Bank (AfDB), the Pan-African Parliament, and other regional and sub-regional institutions, as well as civil society actors.

You will also coordinate and follow up UNFPA-AARO inputs in global and regional initiatives and processes such as ICPD, SDGs. This also includes coordinating UNFPA technical support to AUC, UNECA and other regional institutions of interest to UNFPA, in relation to implementation of major continental frameworks such as The Maputo Plan of Action, the campaign on accelerated reduction of maternal mortality in Africa (CARMMA Plus2021-2030), the Demographic Dividend Roadmap, etc. Furthermore, you will also contribute to enhance HQ and Africa Region advocacy efforts by tailoring information and media outreach and will be the interface at the technical level with the Africa Regional Offices.

You would be responsible for:

• Coordinate and provide advisory services on intergovernmental matters as pertinent to UNFPA relationship with the AU and ECA
• Foster collaboration within the AARO, with HQ, ROs, COs, and relevant divisions and units; providing strategic policy/advocacy advice as well as partnership and resource mobilization support
• Work with senior management to ensure full and timely compliance, taking both pro-active and remedial action as necessary
• Maintain close relationships within UNFPA, and with the AUC and ECA
• Represent UNFPA-AARO in internal and external discussions on policy and legal reforms in the above areas, including attending key meetings of the AUC, ECA, UNFPA Committees, and other forums if, and as, appropriate
• Collaborate with the Regional Offices (ASRO, ESARO and WCARO) to foster the One Joint Africa Team spirit
• Develop concept notes, terms of reference, and supporting documents for design and implementation of activities
• Coordinate and draft high quality speeches, briefing notes and other management communications for AARO senior management
• Represent UNFPA-AARO in UN and others Partners working groups and serve as UNFPA technical focal point in these areas
• Serve as OIC for the Chief UNFPA-AARO
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Political Economy or other relevant fields

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10 years of relevant professional experience of which 4 years is at the continental or regional level
• Knowledge of international, continental, and regional development frameworks required to advance the ICPD Programme of Action, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Africa Union Agenda 2063, and relevant regional frameworks of Regional Economic Commissions
• Knowledge of external relations and the UN system: networking and advocacy; reproductive health and human rights including women’s and reproductive rights
• Solid experience in inter-governmental processes; programming, and partnerships building and resource mobilization on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender, Leave Noone Behind (LNOB)
• Dedication to the United Nations principles and demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team
• Experience with policy advisory support within intergovernmental processes and
• strong negotiation skills
• Strong knowledge of the ICPD Programme of Action
• Experience working with engaging civil society including faith and religious organizations, women, and youth-led social movements as it relates to the ICPD Programme of Action and the SDGs is desirable
• Excellent interpersonal, communications skills and negotiation skills; Initiative and sound judgment
• Extensive leadership and coordination experience preferably within a UN agency and should have demonstrated political acumen and negotiation skills
• Familiarity with UNFPA/UN country operations and procedures an asset
• Field experience is desirable

Languages:

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, 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:

• Promotes a consistency of messages, common platform and inter-agency collaboration regarding population and development, reproductive health and gender issues
• Conceptual innovation – Demonstrates ability to engage development partners at all levels in conceptual and methodological innovation that is pertinent to the global, national and local context for RH, population, gender and development
• Building strategic alliances- Makes effective use of UNFPA’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen alliances
• Excellent analytical skills; strong writing and communications skills Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UN system.
• Advocacy/advancing a policy oriented agenda, resource mobilization experience and capacity to support building relevant strategy at regional level
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches.
• Strong teamwork and people skills; and proven ability to work in a complex multi-cultural environment
• Excellent analytical skills; strong writing and communications skills
• Familiarity with UNFPA mandate, policies and procedures and practice areas.

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.