The Position:
The Programme Specialist, Head of Tamale Sub-Office, oversees project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks (with special emphasis on Tamale and the surrounding regions).ย S/he will lead the programme team in Tamale and collaborate with the Country Officeโs operations and administrative support staff.
S/He will report to the Deputy Representative.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA strives to find solutions to the problems that humanity faces today. Working along critical pathways, the action will accelerate the fulfilment of unmet needs for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.ย UNFPAโs new strategic plan (2022-2025),ย leads to 2030 and the ย Emerging trends inform the plan, new and expanded priorities add to longstanding commitments, and โhow we workโ is changing. Yet every step continues to be guided by the ICPD Programme of Action and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
In Ghana, UNFPA has started implementing its new five-year 8th Country Programme 2023-2027.ย The 8th CP aligns well with national, regional and global priorities including aligning with the UNFPA strategic plan, 2022 โ 2025, that seeks to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal death, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices. It fits within two of the three pillars of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022 โ 2025, namely: equitable access to social services and promoting a peaceful Ghana. In addition, the country programme aligns to the ICPD Programme of Action, the national voluntary commitment made by the Government at the Nairobi Summit on the 25th anniversary of ICPD (ICPD+25), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Overall, the country programme contributes to national priorities, including creating a wealthy, inclusive, sustainable, equitable, resilient, healthy and disciplined society, encapsulated in the Presidentโs vision of โGhana Beyond Aidโ.
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:
Working within the sub-office of a large and complex Ghana Country Office environment, you will ensure the effective management of UNFPA activities in Tamale and the surrounding regions in general, in line with the Ghana Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023 โ 2027 focusing on strengthening national capacity for the provision of high-quality, results-based UNFPA programme initiatives to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal death, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices,ย especially for the most vulnerable populations, including women, young people and internally displaced people.
Employing your programme management experience, you will oversee the work of the sub-office team as well as consultants, advisors, and experts. You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders in Tamale and the surrounding regions in general, to contribute to achieving UNFPAโs mandate.
You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPAโs mandate.
You would be responsible for:
A. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization:
Advocates, in Tamale and the surrounding regions, for regional and local policies and plans supportive of the ICPD Programme of Action and UNFPAโs transformative goals, using evidence-based messages.ย Regularly analyses the socio-economic and political context in Tamale and the surrounding regions, including implications for the ICPD agenda and UNFPA-supported programmes and activities, and briefs UNFPA Ghana management team, as needed.ย Scan donorsโ environment and mapping their presence and interest in Tamale and the surrounding regions, to support the Country Office management in resource mobilization. Oversees project implementation in Tamale and the surrounding regions; and builds strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships, alliances and coalitions with Government, UN system, NGOs and community groups, to advocate for the ICPD Programme of Action and its linkages with Agenda 2030.ย Advocates for increases in regional and local budgetary allocations and expenditures to leverage financing for the ICPD agenda and to ensure sustainability of interventions. Coordinates and participates in regional 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 Ghana. with emphasis on Tamale and the surrounding regions, 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.B.ย Programme Management and Coordination:
Coordinates the implementation of the UNFPA supported programmes in Tamale and surrounding regions, 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 regional and local level implementing partners, ensuring they are informed of UNFPAโs 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 Country Office team in Accra, leads humanitarian preparedness and response interventions in the region, 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 regional 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 good practicesย 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, correspondence and field visits, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources.ย Analyzes progress, technical and other substantive reports from regional and local level implementing partners and other stakeholders and recommends required follow-up and/or corrective actions.ย Contributes substantially and strategically to UNFPA Ghana resource mobilization initiatives; assists in the formulation and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy and proposals for the country; and mobilizes resources at regional and local level for the sustainability of UNFPA-supported programmes.ย Under the guidance of the UNFPA communications staff, works with the regional and local media agencies and journalists to publicize UNFPAโs work through a variety of channels, including social media.ยC. Sub-Office Management & Leadership:
Promotes a learning environment and systematic information sharingย among UNFPA staff and ensures effective knowledge management strategies are implemented by the regional and local staff, capturing, and sharing lessons learned and good practices to guide policies and programmes.ย Fosters a culture of open communication and transparency, and maintains a motivated workforce. Supervises and guides regional and local staff and ensures a high standard of staff management within the team using a participatory and constructive approach. Undertakes capacity building for UNFPA staff and counterparts in Tamale and the surrounding regions on issues pertaining to programme and financial management and for policy advocacy goals. 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. Ensures an ethics-based approach to management of all human and financial resources.Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย ย
Advanced degree in Development Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Health, Population Studies, or other related social science discipline.
Knowledge and Experience:ย
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;ย 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 and gender equality 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 an asset;ย Prior experience in the UN system is an asset; Experience using Microsoft Office software packages and web-based management systems such as the ERP system, Quantum, QuantumPlus, Quantum PowerBI, etc.; Demonstrated experience in working successfully as a member of a multidisciplinary team.Languages:ย
Proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language an asset.ย ย
Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,ย Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย Embracing cultural diversity,ย Embracing changeFunctional 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 mobilisationCore Competencies:ย
Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,ย Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impactยManagerial 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 judgmentCompensation 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 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.