The Position:
The Adviser will work under the overall direction and supervision of the Regional Director in Istanbul, Turkiye. The role requires close collaboration with the Deputy Regional Director, the EECARO technical team, UNFPA Representatives/Heads of Office, and the Representation/Liaison offices in Europe and UNFPA New York.
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. ย UNFPAโs Strategic Plan (2026-2029) is a roadmap for resilience and renewal, aimed at ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realizing reproductive rights, and accelerating the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), more than 30 years after its historic adoption in Cairo in 1994.ย
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As the last of three consecutive strategic plans leading to 2030, it reaffirms the UNFPA commitment to the ICPD vision: individual rights and choices โ especially for women, adolescents and youth, and marginalized populations โ are central to sustainable development. Grounded in the ICPD Programme of Action, the Strategic Plan focuses on four interconnected outcomes:ย
Accelerating progress on meeting the unmet need for family planning;ย Accelerating progress on ending preventable maternal deaths;ย Accelerating progress on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; andย Adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. ย ยIn 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.
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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.ย
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Job Purpose:
The incumbentโs role in the UNFPA's Eastern Europe and Central Asia regional office is to provide strategic leadership and guidance on a wide range of policy, programmatic, and partnership issues. The position's core function is to strengthen UNFPA's relationships with regional bodies and advance key aspects of its mandate.
You would be responsible for:
Intergovernmental Engagement: The adviser's responsibilities include high-level policy advocacy and positioning UNFPA within regional frameworks. This involves engaging with intergovernmental bodies to promote the ICPD agenda, particularly regarding SRHR, GBV, population dynamics and young peoples' engagement. This role also includes developingย engagement strategies, strengthening the organization'sย positioning, and implementingย risk mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the adviser will conduct political environmental scanning and analyze the impact of the political environment on the ICPD and 2030 Agenda in the region. Partnership Development: The role requires strategic leadership in cultivating partnerships with key institutions, such as the European Union (EU) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs). The adviser is tasked with identifying new opportunities for collaboration including key regional entities to support UNFPA's mission. UN System Coordination: The adviser acts as a key liaison for inter-agency activities and coordination platforms in the region, ensuring UNFPA's work is aligned with broader UN reform efforts and leverages joint programming opportunities. Policy and Data Advice: The adviser provides expertise on using data and evidence for policy dialogue and for monitoring national policies related to population dynamics, SRHR, and gender equality. They also map partner priorities to guide UNFPA's regional engagement.Major Activities and Expected Results:ย
Intergovernmental Engagement:
Major Activities
Political and Environmental Analysis: Conduct regular scanning of the political environment to analyze its impact on the ICPD and 2030 Agenda in the region. Strategy Development: Design and develop high-level engagement strategies to position UNFPA within regional frameworks and with intergovernmental bodies. High-Level Advocacy: Engage with intergovernmental bodies to advocate for the ICPD agenda, with a focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), population dynamics, and youth engagement. Risk Mitigation: Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to protect the organization's positioning and mandate in a changing political landscape.Expected Results
UNFPA's Regional Positioning: UNFPA's position as a key partner and policy adviser on the ICPD and 2030 Agenda is strengthened within regional intergovernmental forums. Informed Decision-Making: UNFPA's regional and country offices have timely, data-driven political analysis to inform their strategic and programmatic decisions. Effective Engagement Strategies: Engagement strategies with intergovernmental bodies are developed and successfully implemented, leading to concrete collaboration on SRHR, GBV, population dynamics, and youth issues. Mitigated Risks: A clear set of risk mitigation strategies is in place, enabling UNFPA to navigate a complex political environment and safeguard its mandate. Agenda Integration: The ICPD and 2030 Agenda are successfully integrated into the work and declarations of key regional intergovernmental bodies.Partnership Development:
Major Activities
Partnership Strategy: Develop and implement a strategic plan for cultivating new partnerships with key institutions, including the European Union (EU) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs). Opportunity Identification: Continuously scan the regional landscape to identify new opportunities for collaboration with key regional entities that align with UNFPA's mission. Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with counterparts in partner institutions to deepen existing cooperation and facilitate new initiatives. Resource Mobilization: Assist the formulation of joint proposals and secure commitments for collaborative projects that support UNFPA's programmatic priorities.Expected Results
Partnership Growth: An increased number of strategic and impactful partnerships with institutions like the EU,ย IFIs, regional and global entities are successfully established. Diversified Funding: New and diversified funding streams for UNFPA's regional and country-level programs are secured through these collaborations. Enhanced Visibility: UNFPA's profile and mission are elevated within the agendas of key regional entities. Collaborative Initiatives: A pipeline of concrete, collaborative projects that advance the ICPD agenda is developed and implemented.UN System Coordination:
Major Activities
Inter-agency Liaison and Coordination: Serve as a key liaison for UNFPA in regional inter-agency activities and coordination platforms, such as the UN Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP), Issue-based coalitions and regional working groups, RFSD and HLPF.ย Joint Programming Strategy: Actively engage with other UN agencies to identify and develop opportunities for joint programming, ensuring UNFPA's work is aligned with broader UN system reform efforts. Resource Mobilization: Contribute to joint advocacy and resource mobilization efforts by helping prepare relevant documentation, such as project summaries and conference papers.Expected Results
Enhanced UN System Alignment: UNFPA's regional work is demonstrably aligned with UN reform efforts and priorities, contributing to a more coherent, effective, and results-oriented UN system. Increased Joint Initiatives: An increased number of joint advocacy and programmatic engagements with other UN agencies are successfully implemented, strengthening UNFPA's role in the region. Leveraged Resources: Joint programming and pooled funding opportunities are leveraged to gain greater efficiencies and maximize the impact of UNFPA's programs. Strengthened Country Office Capacity: UN Country Offices receive enhanced technical support and inter-agency collaboration, enabling them to better deliver on UNFPA's mandate.Policy and Data Advice:
Major Activities
Policy Analysis and Data Mapping: Conduct regular analysis of partner priorities and map them to UNFPAโs regional engagement strategy. Evidence-Based Policy Dialogue: Provide expert advice on the use of data and evidence to inform policy dialogue with national and regional partners, focusing on population dynamics, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and gender equality. Monitoring and Evaluation: Utilize and support mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating national policies on population dynamics, SRHR, and gender equality. Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate the exchange of data and information to support evidence-based programming and policy development.Expected Results
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย ย
Advanced University Degree in any of the following disciplines: Public Policy or Public Administration, International Relations or International Affairs, Law or Human Rights, Development Studies, Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Political Science, Demography)
Knowledge and Experience:ย
10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in development and multilateral affairs, of which 5 years are at the international level.ยA successful candidate will have a strong understanding of:
Intergovernmental Processes: The ability to navigate complex intergovernmental bodies and promote agendas like the ICPD and SDGs is crucial.ย Partnership and Diplomacy: Expertise in cultivating relationships with major institutions such as the EU and IFIs is essential.
ย UN System Dynamics: A deep knowledge of UN reform efforts, inter-agency coordination, and joint programming would be required.
ย Policy and Data Analysis: The ability to use data and evidence to inform policy, monitor national programs, and conduct strategic mapping is a core function of the role.
ย A practical experience in policy advocacy, international relations, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, strong negotiation skills ย will be welcomed.
ย Experience working with civil society, parliamentarians and local authorities is desirable.
ย Excellent communication and written skills as well proven experience in political environment scanning, analysis and reporting is required.ย
ย Understanding of population dynamics, gender equality, SRHR and young peoplesโ issues in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.ย
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Languages:ย
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages ( e.g. Russian language) is desirable. ย
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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:
Advocacy / Advancing a policy-orientated agenda Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners / building strategic alliances and partnerships Delivering results-based programmes Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization Strategically positioning UNFPA programme Providing a technical support systemย
Managerial 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 judgmentCompensation and Benefits:
ย This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
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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. 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.
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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.