Position: NATIONAL POST : Head of Provincial Office, Dhanghadi, Nepal, NO-C [1 position]

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 (2022-2025), reaffirms 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 ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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:

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,

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,

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

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 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 here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

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.

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.

How to apply
Full job description of the position can be accessed via link UNFPA External Career Site and only online applications using this link will be accepted.

Notice: There is no application, processing, or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all, including people from minority groups, persons with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ communities.

UNFPA has a zero-tolerance against Sexual exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH). Everyone is responsible for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and all UN personnel must adhere to the standards of conduct that preserves PSEA principles (both during work hours and outside work hours). All selected candidates will, therefore, go through a safe hiring process.

The UN is committed to ensuring inclusive and accessible participation for all, including in written tests/interviews. Please let us know, should you need reasonable accommodation for the interview/written test and we will make sure to arrange accordingly. 

*Reasonable accommodation means necessary and appropriate modifications and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 2).