Technical specialist (population & development)

Organizational setting

The post is located in the UNFPA Country Office. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative, the Technical Specialist (Population and Development) will support the UNFPA Representative in overall accountability for the management and work of the Country Office. He/She will liaise directly with the Country Office team of professionals for quality assurance, policy application, effective and sound resources and programme monitoring and evaluation, ensuring results-based management across both operations and substantive activities. He/She will work with the UNFPA Representative and liaise with the National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estatística – INE) Director-General and technical staff, to ensure the successful implementation of the planned 2013 Population and Housing Census of Angola. He/She will also liaise with the Ministry of Planning to guide and ensure the successful development of the planned national population policy.

Main tasks & responsibilties

- Provide guidance in emergency response and recovery and ensure the integration of Sexual and Reproductive Health (including HIV), Gender and Population issues into disaster risk reduction and management, and contingency plans.

- Provide managerial, advisory and technical support for the formulation, implementation, monitoring and delivery of the UNFPA supported country programme.

- Support in formulating the annual workplans and monitor their day-to-day implementation through consultations, correspondence and field visits.

- Catalyze the expansion of the range of UNFPA deliverables and originate new project portfolios in UNFPA mandate area; develop new programme options and project models in substantive areas.

- Advise the UNFPA Representative and follow up on all issues regarding Population and Development in the country, including the implementation of the planned 2013 Population and Housing Census, household surveys and other data collection exercises and research, as well as the development of the planned national population policy.

- Provide technical support and arrange technical backstopping with UNFPA Advisers and/or other international consultants as required in the area of Population and Development.

- In consultation with UNFPA Representative and other professionals of the CO team, provide inputs to the RO/SRO based on country specificities for the development of the global/regional strategic plan.
 
- In collaboration with the International Operations Manager, promote knowledge sharing and knowledge management within the country office team and with partners, and ensure continuous feedback to the RO/SRO on programme, technical and operational policy, regulations, procedures etc. as well as lessons learned and import new modalities or directions in thinking into the Country Office.

- In collaboration with Government counterparts and key stakeholders, help to identify and review emerging development issues, their inter-linkages and their linkages to programme planning, management and research, and establish and maintain a network of partners involved in population related issues.

- Participate in the planning of capacity building activities at central and provincial levels, and provide technical support to managers in developing provincial population strategies.

- Assist in national and provincial advocacy efforts in UNFPA focus areas.

- Participate in the UN Common Country Assessment and the UN Development Assistance Framework exercises in the country as part of the broader UN Reform initiatives, and ensure integration of Reproductive Health, Gender and Population linkages in related national and development partner coordination mechanisms.

Qualifications and experience

- Advanced post-graduate university degree in Population Sciences, Demography or a related field in Economics or Statistics.
- 7 years of relevant experience at national and/or international levels in the area of population and sustainable development, including programme/project management in a developing country.
- Strong results-based programme management experience, with particular focus on strategic planning and capacity building.
- Experience in national and/or sectoral policy dialogue, especially in the context of UN Reform and Joint Programming, and the new aid environment, would be a distinct advantage.
- Experience in census taking and national population policy development in developing countries would be an asset.
- Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Portuguese.

Required competencies

Core:
- Values/Guiding Principles
- Performance Management
- Developing People/Coaching and Mentoring & Fostering Innovation and Empowerment
- Working in Teams
- Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence
- Communication
- Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making
- Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results
- Orientation/Commitment to Excellence
- Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning

Functional:
- Advocacy/advancing a policy oriented agenda
- Results based programme development and management
- Leveraging the resources of partners / building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Innovation and marketing of new approaches
- Job knowledge / technical expertise