The Position:
The Humanitarian Programme Specialist is located in the Yemen Country Office (CO) and reports to the UNFPA Deputy Representative.ย
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organizationโs response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
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.
Job Purpose:
The Humanitarian Programme Specialist ensures the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of emergency and humanitarian response. S/he oversees programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and linkages with national development frameworks. S/he coordinates the humanitarian work by providing technical guidance and support to the relevant Ministries.ย S/he represents UNFPA in humanitarian clusters and participates in all coordination activities.
You would be responsible for:
In collaboration with the relevant ministries, NGOs and other partners, the Humanitarian Programme Specialist participates in the formulation and design of the country emergency and humanitarian response programme and its component programmes according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures; Actively participates in humanitarian clusters to advance UNFPAโs area of work; Backstops the Representative/Deputy Representativeย in the UN Humanitarian Country Team and other similar fora as necessary; Reviews the Disaster risk environment in Yemen relevant to emergency and humanitarian response, and pursues opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. Assesses implications of new policy developments and strategies on emergency preparedness and response programme planning and ensures appropriate implementation; Actively provides the MOH with technical guidance on the forecasting, procurement and pre-positioning of commodities in contingency and emergency preparedness planning; Promotes the use of the MISP (Minimum Initial Service Package) and National Guidelines on the Medical Management of Rape and sexual violence, IASC GBV and HIV & AIDS guidelines in emergencies and the RH refugee field manual; Oversees emergency and humanitarian response implementation, establishing collaborative partnerships and representing the office in meetings with UNOCHA and other humanitarian fora.ย Provides regular information on UNFPA humanitarian response initiatives and advocates for the integration of reproductive health and gender concerns into humanitarian response; Ensures the inclusion of RH and gender and the MISP within common standards for assessments and contribute to the monitoring and reporting on humanitarian programmes and needs issues (includes assessments and surveys) with a focus on gender and Reproductive Health needs; Ensures the creation and documentation of knowledge about current and emerging RH/HIV& AIDS, GBV and gender issues in emergency and humanitarian response through the analysis of programme strategies, approaches and on-going experience for lessons learned, best practices, and uses this knowledge for information sharing and planning future strategies; Participates in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of Country Office by ensuring the inclusion of the MISP and GBV in emergency and humanitarian response funding appeals (CERFs, CAPS, Flash Appeals and other Emergency Response Appeals) and preparation of documentation, i.e. sitreps, programme summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related donor meetings and public information events; Information management and sharing on UNFPA Humanitarian response by formulation of internal/external UNFPA situation reports and contributing to cluster and OCHA situation reports.ย
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย ย
Advanced degree in public health, medicine, sociology, gender, economic, population, demography, international relations, international development, management and/or other related social science field;
Knowledge and Experience:ย
Five years with increasing professional experience in the field of development and population activities, sexual and reproductive health and gender in humanitarian response; Strong analytical, co-ordination and organizational skills; Experience in programme and technical assistance with the UN system, international NGOs and Civil Society Organizations is an asset Proven experience in coordinating/managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants; Experience in drafting and implementing legislation;ย Field experience is an asset;ยLanguages:ย
Fluency in English and Arabic; knowledge of other official UN languages, is desirable.
Required Competencies:ย
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,ย Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย Embracing cultural diversity,ย Embracing changeCore Competencies:ย
Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,Functional Competencies:
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 mobilisationManagerial Competencies (if applicable):
Providing strategic focus, Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders, Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance Making decisions and exercising judgmentย
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. ย 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.
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.