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 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, upholds the values enshrined in the UN Charter and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking highly motivated candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in managing the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Scope of Work
The project entitled ‘Ending the Scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Sorcery Accusation Related Violence in Papua New Guinea’ aims to ensure survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) have access to quality, coordinated and accessible support; To prevent GBV and SARV through positive social norm change which utilizes visual storytelling to foster peaceful interpersonal and intercommunal relationships. It has two project outcomes, as follows: Outcome: 1 Women, girls and marginalized persons who experience or are at-risk of GBV and SARV have access to quality, timely and well-coordinated multi-sector essential services, which are delivered as part of a cohesive and coordinated social protection system; and Outcome 2: Men and women build and maintain equal, non- violent and trusting relationships at individual, interpersonal and community levels.
The project will be implemented in close coordination with national government agencies, sub-national (i.e., provincial) government agencies, civil society organizations and international and national academic/research institutions. While the project has expected outputs contributing to outcomes at the national level, the specific project sites are Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Enga, Morobe, East New Britain Provinces. The project will be implemented for 48 months from the last quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2026. To ensure that the project deliverables are implemented as planned, a National Programme Coordinator will be hired.
You will ensure the effective management of the project to ensure linkages with sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, adolescents and youth empowerment, and gender equality, women empowerment, and gender-based violence, and population dynamics in Papua New Guinea and in the project sites cited above. Working to advance the ICPD policy agenda in a challenging environment, you will respond to changing priorities of the State Government, promoting partnership and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, multilateral and bilateral agencies, civil society organisations and local communities, to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders towards achieving UNFPA’s mandate in the State, so that no women and girls are left behind.
As National Programme Coordinator, you would be responsible for:
A. Programme Management and Coordination:
● Coordinate the implementation of the project, firmly anchored on rights-based, gender centric and results-based approaches, and other relevant, appropriate strategies and interventions.
● In close coordination with the national and sub-national government agencies and collaboration with other partners oversee the management of the project programme in full compliance with Corporate policies and procedures.
● Oversee the achievement of programme results applying appropriate monitoring and oversight mechanisms.
● Continually scan the environment, anticipate, brief and advise UNFPA senior Management on the socio-economic and political conditions in PNG and the project sites and their implications for the UNFPA-supported programmes.
● Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and guidance of the UNFPA thematic specialists, lead in the formulation of the annual work plans.
● Monitor and supervise day-to-day implementation of the annual work plans in close and regular consultation with implementing partners and stakeholders.
● Guide and orient implementing partners on relevant UNFPA policies and procedures, introducing effective modalities and practices of implementation.
● Analyse progress, technical and other substantive reports from the project’s implementing partners and stakeholders and recommend necessary follow-up and/or corrective actions.
B. Policy Dialogue and Technical Support:
● Conduct policy dialogue with Government counterparts, UN agencies, other development partners and implementing partners for the project and advocate for inclusion of ICPD agenda into national and sub-national plans and strategies, UN systems initiatives and development frameworks.
● Represent UNFPA, promote and articulate the ICPD Programme of Action linkages to Agenda 2030 in high-level meetings, conferences and fora at State level.
● Contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated Country Office strategy.
● Ensure compliance of programme implementation with UNFPA corporate technical and programme policies and guidelines. Assess implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution, and ensure their integration as relevant.
● Provide technical guidance to ensure that programmes are rights-based, gender-responsive and inclusive.
C. Advocacy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:
● Represent UNFPA during project discussions, advocate for policies supportive of UNFPA transformative goals.
● Establish and nurture partnerships with multi-lateral agencies, civil society including academia, research community and community-based organisations, building strategic alliances towards ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning and ending gender-based violence in all its forms including child marriage and gender-biased sex selection.
● Provide strategic inputs towards advocacy efforts of the Country Office by preparing or reviewing relevant documentation, i.e. white papers, donor and other high-levels visitor briefs, conference papers, speeches, fund-raising concept notes and proposals.
● Create and deliver effective, contextualised and evidence-based advocacy messages to advance UNFPA programme goals.
● Understand the KOICA budget cycle and advocate for increases in State budgetary allocations and expenditures towards maternal health, family planning and addressing gender-based violence and sorcery accusation-related violence, with special focus on women, adolescents and youth, vulnerable and marginalised population groups, including people with disability.
● Build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for effective programme delivery.
● Contribute substantially and strategically to CO resource mobilisation initiatives and lead resource mobilisation at state level.
● Under the guidance of CO Communication and Media team, work with local media agencies to disseminate UNFPA’s GBV and SARV work, primarily under this KOICA-funded project and build community awareness and mobilise community support for ICPD and the sustainable development goals, especially SDGs 3 and 5.
D. Office Management & Leadership:
● Establish systems of accountability for effective compliance with corporate policies and procedures in stewardship of resources entrusted to you, and effective and efficient management of programmes.
● Role model a culture of accountability, integrity and respect, in line with the UN Leadership Framework and the UN Code of Conduct.
● Supervise and guide office support staff for the project such as the Programme Associate/Assistant and Finance Assistant and promote a high standard of performance within the team using a participatory and constructive style.
● Foster a culture of open communication and transparency, and maintain a motivated workforce; promote a learning environment and systematic information sharing among the Office Staff.
● Identify technical knowledge gaps and propose a training to the Country Office management, if necessary,.
● Identify talent, develop and implement career development plans through mentoring, coaching and other training opportunities.
● Plan and implement capacity building for UNFPA office personnel and counterparts in programme and financial management procedures, and on ICPD/SDGs in general.
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and competencies
Qualification:
o At least a Masters' degree in Social Sciences such as Gender/Women’s Studies, Community Development or equivalent qualifications in a relevant, directly related discipline.
o Must be meticulous - have a keen eye for details, looking for excellence/ perfection/quality in all technical matters.
Professional experience
o Coordination of a programme/project for a minimum of seven years; coordination experience with the UN/UNFPA is an advantage
o Has a minimum experience of working on Gender/GBV/harmful practices of five years, especially with women, adolescents and youth
o Working in Papua New Guinea/Pacific, especially in the provinces, is also an advantage
o Has a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
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
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required.
Submission of applications:
Interested applicants should submit their applications of interest to:
The UNFPA Representative, UNFPA, Level 14, Kina Haus, Douglas Street, PO Box 1041, Port Moresby via Email: png-recruitment@unfpa.org no later than 14 July 2023.
This should include:
Letter of Interest, CV, and UN Personal History Form
