The Position:

Based in the Lagos Sub-Office (SO), the Programme Coordinator and Head of Liaison Office coordinates the Country Office programme in the states covered by the sub office, liaises, w with the private sector in Lagos and provides daily oversight in the states under the coverage of the Lagos Sub-Office. The Programme Coordinator and Head of Liaison Office is part of a Country Office team led by the UNFPA Representative, which provides integrated programme, technical support within the systems strengthening approach fundamental to UNFPA’s overall strategy, and strengthen the partnership and resource mobilization capabilities to increase domestic resource mobilization.

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.

UNFPA Nigeria commenced the implementation of the 9th Country Programme (CP) (2023-2027) of which the four main outputs are : (a) strengthened data systems; (b) strengthened capacities of national and subnational health systems to deliver quality sexual and reproductive health information and services; (c) strengthened capacity of critical actors and systems the provision of life and dignity-saving interventions in humanitarian settings; (d) strengthened capacities and knowledge of critical actors to address discriminatory gender and social norms.

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:

The Programme Coordinator and Head of Liaison Office supports and facilitates the CO relationships with the partners in Lagos including the private sector, academia, high net worth individuals, donors, etc. and oversees the delivery of the Country Programme components to be implemented in the states under the coverage of the Lagos Sub-Office, and also plays a leadership role within the sub-office, supervising the programme team assigned to the sub-office and inspiring them to translate the country programme goals into specific solutions and results. S/he substantively contributes to the management of UNFPA activities in all areas of its mandate, and proactively provides UNFPA Representative with updates on programmes implementation and results in Lagos State. Furthermore, s/he supports the establishment and maintenance of collaborative relationships and promotes partnership, synergy and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, multilateral and bilateral agencies, civil society organizations as well as community-based organizations to facilitate successful delivery of the program.

S/he will report directly to the UNFPA Representative;

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Gender, International Development, or related discipline.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in program management and development relevant to Population and Development, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Gender.
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender issues.
• Experience in program and/or technical assistance with the UN System.
• Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing English, to foster engaged partnerships at the highest level and to maintain political partnerships in the assigned region.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated, diverse team and be comfortable in multiple, high varied settings with different work and learning styles.
• Ability to lead and manage teams to achieve results.
• Field experience in Sub-Sahara Africa would be an advantage.

Languages:

Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.

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.