Job Opening ID: 23543
Location: Dhanghadi, Nepal
Full/Part time: Full Time
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Grade: NO-C
Rotational/Non Rotational: Non-rotational
Duration: 1 year initially with possibility of extension 
Education & Work Experience: Master's Degree with at least 5 years experience
Deadline: 3 Feb 2025 by 5:30 PM NPT

The Position:

The Head of the Provincial Office (PO) plays a leadership role in projecting the priorities and  mandate of the organization at the provincial and local level in development and  humanitarian contexts. S/he ensures the effective management of UNFPA activities across  result areas within the respective Province and priority Municipalities to accelerate  achievement of the ICPD Programme of Action and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable  Development. S/he leads and motivates the UNFPA provincial and local staff to advance the  UNFPA policy and programme results in collaboration with the UNFPA Country Office (CO) in  Kathmandu. S/he effectively positions UNFPA to lead on issues of population and  development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender equality in development and  humanitarian contexts through policy advocacy efforts, ensuring coordinated engagement  across the UN system with national counterparts and other development partners. S/he  substantively contributes to the management, coordination and quality assurance of  planning, implementation, monitoring and results reporting of UNFPA interventions in the  province and priority Municipalities. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNFPA Representative, the Head of the  Provincial Office works closely with the Deputy Representative and Thematic Leads to  contribute in expanding the range of UNFPA deliverables in the province and priority  Municipalities, within the ICPD agenda, based on national, provincial and local level priorities  and in collaboration with the key stakeholders at all levels. 

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 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, 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 uphold UN values as enshrined in its Charter, who are transparent,  exceptional in managing the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver  excellence in programme results. 

Job Purpose: 

Nepal is committed to the full implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action and has an  enabling policy and legal environment for advancing sexual and reproductive health and  rights. However, despite this commitment and concerted efforts by national and  development partners including UNFPA, progress towards UNFPA’s three transformative  results - ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning and gender based violence and harmful practices - has been limited in the last decade. 

The Head of the PO plays a leadership role in advancing the ICPD Programme of Action at the  provincial and local level, ensuring the ICPD agenda is integrated in provincial and local  development and humanitarian agendas, through close engagement with the Provincial and  Municipal authorities as well as other key stakeholders including civil society organization and  women, adolescent and youth networks. S/he will lead the implementation of the UNFPA supported programmes in the province. 

You would be responsible for: 

A. Advocacy and Policy Dialogue: 

• Represents UNFPA at the provincial and local level, conducting advocacy and policy  dialogue with Government counterparts, UN system and other development partners to  facilitate the positioning of UNFPA on strategic and substantive issues and promote  UNFPA’s comparative advantage and contributions to the development and  humanitarian agendas.
• Advocates for provincial and local policies and plans supportive of the ICPD Programme  of Action and UNFPA’s transformative goals, using evidence-based messages.
• Regularly analyses the socio-economic and political context in the province, including  implications for the ICPD agenda and UNFPA-supported programmes and activities, and  briefs UNFPA Nepal management team, as needed.
• Monitor the political and policy environment at the provincial level, analyzing shifts in  political dynamics, policy trends, and emerging issues. Based on this analysis, identify  potential entry points for UNFPA interventions, ensuring alignment with current  priorities and opportunities.
• Regularly track and analyze legal and policy developments at the provincial level, with a  focus on their implications for UNFPA-supported programs and activities. 
• Advises on and builds strong technical and programmatic multi-sectoral partnerships,  alliances and coalitions with Government, UN system, NGOs, parliamentarians, National  Human Rights Institutions and community groups, to advocate for the ICPD Programme  of Action and its linkages with Agenda 2030. Advocates for increases in Provincial and  local budgetary allocations and expenditures to leverage financing for the ICPD agenda  and to ensure sustainability of interventions.
• Coordinates and participates in provincial and local level UN system wide and  development partner discussions on the SDGs and represents UNFPA in inter-agency  meetings including in humanitarian settings, ensuring smooth cooperation and  coherence among UN partners. 
• Provides strategic inputs towards advocacy efforts of UNFPA Nepal by preparing or  reviewing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches,  press releases, donor profiles and participates in provincial and local level meetings,  public events and field visits. 
• Represent and facilitate the provincial-level coordination mechanisms and networks,  ensuring alignment with UNFPA's mandate. 

B. Programme Management and Coordination:

• Acts as the principal adviser on provincial level issues to the Senior management team in  close coordination with the Thematic leads of UNFPA Nepal. 
• Coordinates the implementation of the UNFPA supported programmes with the Deputy  Representative and the thematic leads in the respective Province and Municipalities,  ensuring appropriate policies and procedures are applied by UNFPA and the  implementing partners, and appropriate monitoring and oversight mechanisms and  systems are established and fully implemented. 
• Leads the engagement with provincial and local level implementing partners, ensuring  they are informed of UNFPA’s priorities and programmes, policies and procedures, so  that proposals and implementation are aligned to UNFPA programme results, in  development and humanitarian contexts. 
• In consultation with the UNFPA CO team in Kathmandu the Provincial Head, leads  humanitarian preparedness and response interventions in the province, ensuring  adequate attention is given to the needs of women and girls during emergencies. 
• Actively promotes and supports the participation of civil society and private sector in  development and humanitarian processes at provincial and local level.
• Ensures compliance of programme implementation with UNFPA corporate programme  and operations policies and guidelines and assesses the implications of any new policies  and guidelines on programme delivery, ensuring their integration, as relevant.
• Provides technical guidance to ensure that programmes are rights-based, gender responsive and inclusive and draw on global best practices.
• Participates in the formulation of the annual work plans; ensures application of results based management and quality assurance procedures; and monitors the day-to-day  implementation of work plans through consultations with the implementing partners,  correspondence and field visits, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources. 
• Analyzes progress, technical and other substantive reports from provincial and local level  implementing partners and other stakeholders and recommends required follow-up  and/or corrective actions. 
• Contributes substantially and strategically to UNFPA Nepal resource mobilization  initiatives; assists in the formulation and implementation of a resource mobilization  strategy and proposals for the country; and mobilizes resources at provincial and local  level for the sustainability of UNFPA-supported programmes. 
• Under the guidance of the UNFPA communications staff, works with the provincial and  local media agencies and journalists to publicize UNFPA’s work through a variety of  channels, including social media. 
• In coordination with UNFPA Country Office, lead in organizing, coordinating, and  facilitating mission visits from development partners, government officials, and other key  stakeholders. 

C. Provincial Office Management & Leadership: 

• Promotes a learning environment and systematic information sharing among UNFPA  staff and ensures effective knowledge management strategies are implemented by the  provincial and local staff, capturing, and sharing lessons learned and good practices to  guide policies and programmes. 
• Fosters a culture of open communication and transparency and maintains a motivated  workforce. 
• Supervises and guides provincial and local staff and ensures a high standard of staff  management within the team using a participatory and constructive approach.
• Undertakes capacity development for UNFPA staff and counterparts on issues pertaining  to programme and financial management and for policy advocacy goals. 
• Identifies talent and mentors and/or coaches staff for career development and  encourages a culture of learning and accountability. 
• Establishes and maintains a harmonious working environment; seeks to strengthen team  building by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels; fosters staff  motivation, development and empowerment; and leads by example. 
• Establishes a provincial security plan and business continuity plan in line with UN  procedures and requirements. 
• Ensures an ethics-based approach to management of all human and financial resources.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational  culture and supporting practices. 
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education: 

Advanced degree in Development Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Health,  Population Studies, or other related social science discipline. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of  development management, including programme design, appraisal, budget  management, and people skills; 
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and liaison with government counterparts,  non-government organizations, UN agencies, private sector, development partners and  community based organizations; 
• Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of programme  objectives to national priorities and capacities; 
• Experience in programme management including experience in large multi-sectoral  projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and  potential project partners; 
• Strong track record of programme leadership, and proven ability to manage complex  programmes and produce demonstrable results, with shared visions and goals;
• Understanding of human rights, gender equality and LNOB dimensions in programme  design and implementation; 
• Proven experience in coordinating/managing and motivating a multi-disciplinary team of  staff, experts and consultants; 
• Possess excellent interpersonal, negotiating, intercultural communication skills and  political acumen; 
• Demonstrated expertise in advocacy and policy dialogue is desirable;
• Field experience is highly desirable; 
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset. 

Languages: 

Proficiency in English and Nepali is required. Working knowledge of another UN language an  asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values: 

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

Functional Competencies: 

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented  agenda 
• Leveraging the resources of national  governments and partners/ building  strategic alliances and partnerships 
• Delivering results-based programme 
• Internal and external communication  and advocacy for results mobilisation

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

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, pension and other benefits as applicable. 

*No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5 

Disclaimer 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in  connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be  submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in  the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than  their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.