Programme Specialist [International Consultant], Suva, Fiji and Nauru

The purpose of the consultancy is to support programme coordination and management of the Transformative Agenda programme at regional and national level. S/he will manage relevant programme components implemented at the regional and national level working closely with the nine country teams & directly in Nauru, technical teams, and regional implementing partners, and provide support to reporting and knowledge management. The Programme Specialist will work within an integrated and coordinated approach, which is fundamental to the Sub-regional Office and UNFPA’s overall strategy.

The Consultancy will be under the direct supervision of International Programme Coordinator, UNFPA PSRO.

UNFPA has been working in the Pacific region for over 30 years implementing SRH programmes in 14 countries and territories through the Pacific Sub-regional Office (PSRO) in Suva. UNFPA’s overall regional program is articulated in its 7th Multi-Country Programme (MCP 7) that contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-27 in the Pacific. As a United Nations agency, UNFPA’s fundamental approach is to work with in-country partners, primarily national governments, to expand their capacities and achieve locally sustainable responses to SRHR.

UNFPA Pacific is implementing Phase II (2023-2027) of the “Transformative Agenda for Women, Adolescents and Youth in the Pacific” programme which aims to improve SRHR in nine priority countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The programme seeks to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR), with a focus on Family Planning in nine Pacific countries.

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.
 

The purpose of the consultancy is to support programme coordination and management of the Transformative Agenda programme at regional and national level. S/he will manage relevant programme components implemented at the regional and national level working closely with the nine country teams & directly in Nauru, technical teams, and regional implementing partners, and provide support to reporting and knowledge management. The Programme Specialist will work within an integrated and coordinated approach, which is fundamental to the Sub-regional Office and UNFPA’s overall strategy.

1. Programme Management and Implementation 

• Support the development, review and timely finalization of Nauru and regional annual work plans, budgets and implementation roadmaps with implementing partners, ensuring alignment with donor requirements, results frameworks and programme priorities; 
• Provide programme management oversight and technical guidance to implementing partners to ensure timely, high-quality and results-based implementation of agreed annual work plans, within budget and in compliance with UNFPA and donor requirements;
•  Ensure timely and high-quality financial and narrative reporting, annual and quarterly reports, donor updates work plan progress reports, through ongoing liaison with implementing partners and technical teams; 
•  Facilitate regular programme reviews, monitoring discussions and adaptive management processes to identify implementation bottlenecks, recommend corrective actions and support achievement of programme results; 
• Bring to the attention of UNFPA management implementation challenges, risks and emerging opportunities in Nauru and at regional level in a timely manner, proposing practical solutions, mitigation measures and alternative strategies; 
• Participate actively in technical meetings, desk reviews, Nauru field monitoring missions, programme assessments and review processes, including coordination of follow-up actions and dissemination of findings; 
• Support monitoring, review and harmonization of programme indicators, milestones and reporting tools to ensure alignment with programme M&E frameworks and donor requirements; 
• Analyze and interpret political, social and economic developments, donor priorities and regional trends to identify opportunities for UNFPA engagement, strategic positioning and programme expansion; 
• Prepare and contribute to Nauru and regional level policy briefs, strategy documents, concept notes, briefing notes and technical inputs for policy dialogue, senior management engagement, donor consultations and development frameworks; Contribute substantively to programme design, partnership development and resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development, donor engagement, funding landscape analysis and coordination of technical inputs; 
•  Support the recruitment and management of consultants and procurement of programme services in compliance with UNFPA operational procedures and budgetary requirements; 
• Strengthen coordination and collaboration among regional and country teams with emphasis on Nauru, implementing partners and technical units through establishment of standardized processes, tracking systems and regular coordination mechanisms to enhance synergies and reduce duplication. 

• Support the organization, coordination and execution of Steering Committee meetings, annual regional planning meetings, programme review meetings and other regional coordination platforms; 
• Coordinate the preparation, consolidation, quality assurance and timely submission of donor reports, annual reports, briefing packages and programme summaries; 
• Provide technical support to monitoring and evaluation activities, including reviews, assessments, studies, surveys and programme evaluations, through coordination of data collection, review of technical outputs and synthesis of findings 
• Support the development and dissemination of analytical summaries, lessons learned, best practices and knowledge products for internal learning, donor visibility and external engagement; 
• Coordinate reporting inputs from regional and country offices, implementing partners and technical teams, ensuring consistency, quality assurance and alignment with donor expectations and programme results frameworks; 
• Support the development and implementation of tracking tools, reporting templates and knowledge management systems to strengthen programme monitoring, accountability and institutional memory; 
•  Facilitate post-meeting follow-up processes, including tracking of agreed action points, timelines and implementation progress. 

• Coordinate the development and implementation of capacity development initiatives to strengthen programme management, monitoring and reporting capacities in Nauru and designated implementing partners; 
•  Identify organizational and partner capacity gaps and contribute to the design of targeted mentoring, onboarding, coaching and learning activities; 
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to staff, consultants and implementing partners on results-based management, donor reporting, work planning, financial monitoring, knowledge management and programme implementation; Maintain and share programme guidance materials, tools and institutional knowledge resources with new staff and consultants; 
• Facilitate learning sessions, technical briefings and peer exchange opportunities to strengthen evidence-based reporting, data quality, communications and documentation practices. 

•  Coordinate the development and dissemination of communication and visibility materials related to programme achievements, strategic priorities and donor-funded initiatives; 
• Ensure effective communication and coordination among implementing partners and programme teams to minimize duplication, strengthen collaboration and promote integrated approaches; 
• Maintain and strengthen programme knowledge management systems, including repositories of programme documents, reporting tools, best practices, lessons learned and reference materials; 
•  Contribute to institutional knowledge sharing by documenting programme results, innovations, success stories and lessons learned for internal learning and external dissemination;

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or higher) in health, population, demography, gender, International Relations, International Development, or other related social science discipline.

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in programme management and development relevant to sexual and reproductive health, gender and population and development, including three (3) years at the international level; 
• Experience in programme implementation, monitoring and coordination; 
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes; 
• Knowledge and practical experience in UNFPA’s core mandate, including SRHR, population, gender, and/of adolescents and youth; 
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail, deadlines and policy compliance; 
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated, diverse team and be comfortable in multiple, high varied settings, and tight deadlines with different work and learning styles; 
• Proficient in Google Suite programmes; 
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System is an asset; 
•  Familiarity with the Pacific context is an asset

• Proficiency in both spoken and written English. Knowledge of a Pacific language is an asset.

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

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 - click here to learn more.

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.