The Position:
With a view to advancing and supporting the mandate of UNFPA, and under the direct guidance and supervision of the Executive Director, the Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the full range of operations, relationship management, and services of UNFPA's Division for External Relations (DER). S/He supervises theย DER Directorate, Media and Communications Branch (MCB), Private Sector and Civil Society Branch (PSCSB), Public Funding and Financing Branch (PFFB), UN and Intergovernmental Affairs Branch (UNIB), as well as nine Representation Offices which are: the Addis Ababa Representation Office to the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa (AARO), the Berlin Representation Office (BRO), the Representation Office to the EU in Brussels (ROEU), the Nordic Representation Office in Copenhagen (NRO), the Geneva Representation Office (GRO), the London Representation Office (LRO), the Seoul Representation Office (SRO), the Tokyo Representation Office (TRO), and the North America Representation Office in Washington D.C. (NARO). The International Development Finance Principal Advisor, based in Washington D.C., also reports directly to the Director, together with a Special Assistant and a Personal Assistant in the Directorate. The Director also serves as a member of the UNFPA senior management group (Executive Committee).ย
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPAโs Strategic Plan (2022-2025) underscores 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 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030.ย ย
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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Responsibilities:ย
Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Executive Director, the Director is responsible for the following:
A. Divisional Leadership & Management
Provide advice and counsel to the Executive Director and other senior managers on matters pertaining to activities and services under the responsibility of DER and with a view to protecting and advancing the UNFPA mandate, strategic positioning, and resource base. Plan, direct, and supervise the activities of the Addis Ababa, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, London, Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington D.C. Representation offices. Plan, direct, and coordinate the four Branches of the Division to work closely together, collaborate, and build on each otherโs focus areas, resulting in increased and sustained income for the organization, and to promote the implementation of UNFPAโs Strategic Plan and the ICPD Programme of Action. Supervise the overall planning, approval, monitoring, and evaluation of relevant UNFPA initiatives/projects throughout the world relating to media, parliamentarians, NGOs, etc. Direct and coordinate budgets, including for projects with NGOs, parliamentary groups, and others, that require consultants to help carry out the Divisional work plan. Closely coordinate the work of DER with that of the Programme Division, Humanitarian Response Division, and Regional and Country Offices. Within a context of a review of the business model, implement required changes in DER and support overall organizational reforms.B. Multilateral & Intergovernmental Engagement
Lead and coordinate the strategic positioning of UNFPA's mandate and the ICPD Programme of Action in key UN intergovernmental and interagency forums, including the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and the UN Sustainable Development Group. Provide strategic direction and guidance to UNFPA senior management on engagement with UN multilateral processes, UN Reform, and system-wide coherence agendas to advance UNFPA's Strategic Plan. Provide information and foresight on donors/Member States and multilateral institutions (UN, EU, AU and International Financial Institutions [IFIs])ย related to the ICPD Programme of Action, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the overall cooperation context to UNFPA senior management and all relevant business units.C. Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilization
Plan, organize, and lead organization-wide efforts to forge innovative and strategic partnerships to mobilize support and quality resources for UNFPA operations in both development and humanitarian settings, building on the Fundโs Business Model, in order to raise new and innovative funding and secure a sustainable, diversified and predictable resource base going forward. Maintain and strengthen relationships with traditional donors, foster relationships with emerging donors, including Member States, IFIs, foundations, and the private sector. Provide strategic direction to and oversight of UNFPAโs external relations activities pertaining to innovative financing and international development financing, as well as with the media, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, including but not limited to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), parliamentarians, public interest groups, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and academia. Provide strategic direction to catalyze strategic,result-oriented partnerships with the public and private sector to deliver on UNFPAโs mandate and influence the behaviour of the public and private sector. Ensure that the Regional and Country Offices are guided on trends and opportunities to engage with key partners, including the private sector. Actively participate in the Country Programme Document development process to ensure resource mobilization and partnerships are robustly implemented.ย Ensure that UNFPA consistently upholds its global transparency commitments, such as those made through the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) to promote accountability, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and increase public trust in UNFPAโs work.D. Global Communications & Brand Management
Oversee global communication efforts and brand management to strengthen the global positioning of UNFPA as a key partner to deliver results for women and girls, and engage with the general public and key stakeholders on development and humanitarian topics. Proactively promote and protect UNFPAโs reputation and image with strategic communications; this includes managing risks related to reputation and resources. Oversee the planning, coordination, and strategic direction of efforts to leverage UNFPAโs mandate through traditional media, new information technologies, as well as social media, exhibitions, and flagship publications such as the State of World Population Report (SWOP). Plan, supervise, and direct commissioning of suitable material for editing, production, and distribution of UNFPA periodicals, regular and special publications, and coordinate writing and production of UNFPA-sponsored publications. Build upon and strengthen internal communication efforts through the use of the intranet, webinars, microsites, and newsletters.E. Executive Representation & Support
Represent the Executive Director at high-level meetings, as well as major meetings and conferences organized by Governments, NGOs, etc., and undertake speaking assignments, including media engagements, on UNFPA's behalf. Develop policy statements and speeches and/or coordinate preparation of such statements and speeches, as directed by the Executive Director. Undertake any other relevant ad hoc duties as determined by the Executive Director.Qualifications and Experience:
Education:ย
Advanced university degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Journalism, Media or Communications or related fields.Knowledge and Experience:ย
Over fifteen years of increasingly responsible and specialized experience required in dealing with international relations, multilateral diplomacy, public affairs, strategic communication and population and development issues at the national and international level;ย Demonstrated experience in intergovernmental negotiations, navigating complex UN interagency processes, and shaping multilateral policy agendas is highly desirable; Significant experience in writing and editing, demonstrated by published works, is an asset; Extended general experience in advocacy, negotiations, communications, fundraising and programmes at the international level, especially in establishing and nurturing innovative strategic partnerships, as well as managing internal and external organizational communications; Demonstrated leadership and managerial qualities in organizing work effectively and harmoniously in a multicultural setting; Personal qualities must include maturity, self-confidence, outstanding communication skills, initiative, strong conceptual abilities, and sound judgment;ย Strong interest in development and humanitarian work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the UN principles; Experience from UNFPA or other UN field operations is an asset.Languages:ย
Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.ย
Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity;ย ย Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system;ย ย Embracing cultural diversity;ย ย Embracing change.ยCore Competencies:
Achieving results;ย ย Being accountable;ย ย Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen;ย ย Thinking analytically and strategically;ย ย Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships;ย ย Communicating for impact.Managerial Competencies:ย
Providing strategic focus;ย ย Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders;ย ย Leading, developing, and empowering people, creating a culture of performance;ย ย Making decisions and exercising judgment.Functional Competencies:ย
Global leadership and advocacy for ICPD goals; Organizational leadership and direction; Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results; External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization.Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.ย
UNFPA Work Environment:ย
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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 - clickย hereย to learn more.ย
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements.ย
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.ย
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.ย
Terms and Conditions:
The term for this position is limited to five years from the date of assignment. The term may be extended once for such period as the Executive Director deems appropriate, up to an additional maximum period of five years. No further extensions may be granted.
Candidates who are selected for positions with term limits shall be granted fixed-term appointments. The initial appointment shall be for one (1) year in accordance with UNFPA Policy for Fixed Term and Continuing Appointments: Staffing, Annex VI. There is no expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5. External applicants to positions subject to term limits who hold a permanent or continuing appointment issued by another United Nations system organization must be released from their parent organization on secondment, for a period not to exceed the term limit of the position.ย