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:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has maintained a presence in Afghanistan since 1976, working to support national efforts in improving reproductive health outcomes, promoting gender equality, addressing gender-based violence, and strengthening population data systems. Over the past two decades, UNFPA Afghanistan has implemented a range of development and humanitarian programmes in collaboration with government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners.
In recent years, the country has faced significant political, social, and economic upheaval, including the August 2021 political transition that profoundly altered the humanitarian and development landscape. Following the political developments of August 2021, the operating environment in Afghanistan has undergone a significant transformation. The country is currently facing one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies, with over two-thirds of the population in need of assistance. Simultaneously, restrictions on women's rights and participation in public life have had a direct and profound impact on UNFPA’s ability to deliver its core mandate, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence prevention and response. Simultaneously, the operational context remains highly complex, with fluctuating access constraints, security risks, and evolving national policies affecting program design and implementation. In addition to these local challenges, UNFPA Afghanistan is also navigating a global environment of decreasing humanitarian funding, which necessitates strategic adjustments to ensure program sustainability.
In this context, UNFPA Afghanistan has had to adapt its programming and operations to continue delivering life-saving services while maintaining alignment with humanitarian principles and United Nations values. In recent years, the Country Office expanded its humanitarian response, integrated resilience programming, and intensified coordination with local partners, UN agencies, and donors.
However, the US Government's decision on 24 January 2025 to terminate several funding initiatives has placed an additional challenge on the Country Office and required immediate adaptation in organizational structure, staffing composition, field presence, operational modalities, and partnership strategies. Given these changes, UNFPA Afghanistan seeks to undertake an Organizational Structuring Review to assess whether the current structure, staffing, and operational modalities of the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office are fit for purpose in effectively delivering its mandate in a rapidly changing and often restrictive environment. The review will also explore how the office can remain agile, accountable, and resilient while maximizing its impact and ensuring the safety and well-being of its personnel. The review will inform strategic decisions regarding staffing profiles, functional responsibilities, workflow efficiencies, and risk mitigation measures, with a focus on ensuring agility, accountability, and operational effectiveness.
This exercise will also help to align with UNSFA 2026-2027, CPD Extension 2026-2027, and broader UNFPA strategic priorities under its Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the ongoing UN-wide efforts to deliver coherent, context-sensitive support in crisis-affected settings.
You would be responsible for:
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will work under the direction of UNFPA senior management in the Country Office and under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative. They will be responsible for:
Reviewing and validating the rationale for change and an overall vision for the organizational structure. What would a successful restructuring look like, and what are the critical factors to ensure this success? Assessing and analysing the current country office human resources capacities, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement, within the context of:a) The humanitarian response requirements.
b) Current and projected level of staffing costs; and
c) Current and expected financial resources for programme delivery.
Review and assess the CO structure and geographical deployment of offices and personnel. Reviewing and assessing any relevant constraints in terms of existing business processes and standard operating procedures. Proposing strategies, scenarios, options, and recommendations to senior management to adapt to prevailing and anticipated challenges, address any gaps in capacity, and generate additional efficiencies in light of resource constraints.This will be done through a combination of methods, including desk review of documents, surveys, and interviews with various stakeholders, including staff and key counterparts.
Deliverables: Items Estimated Effort Proposed Deadline
Deliverable 1: An Inception Report – outlining methodology, work plan, and key deliverables. 5% 1 week from the start date of the assignment
Deliverable 2:
A comprehensive report detailing the findings related to the analysis of current functions, capacities and deployment across the country, based on: a) clarification of the rationale for change and shared vision of the preferred end-state; b) a review of relevant documentation; and c) consultations with UNFPA senior management and relevant personnel.
The report should specifically provide:
A thorough assessment of the work demand and work process in terms of composition, capacity and capability in relation to the CO needs for the humanitarian response: structure, demand and requirements versus roles, supply and proficiency. Assessment of the current Country Office structure, staffing and skillsets and competencies. Identification and highlight of gaps, misalignment and future areas of workforce considerations. Recommendations for addressing any identified gaps and misalignment in order to achieve (i) a sustainable structure, with (ii) the right staffing mix, (iii) the right skill mix and (iv) adequate work standard, in light of the country context, funding situation and outlook as well as existing corporate practices, policies and procedures. A draft detailed proposed organizational chart for the CO, including reporting line, function/title, level, and funding source.Implications for programmatic and operational workflows due to the proposed organizational structuring, including any opportunities for business process improvements.
40% 5 weeks from the start date of the assignmentDeliverable 3:
An Organizational structuring proposal – under a UNFPA specific HR realignment format, including the required financial analysis and based on the findings from deliverable (2) above.
The proposal should integrate multiple structuring options – based on financial outlook and scenarios (worst, base, best case) – with possible implementation in a phased approach, depending on scenario realization.
Under this deliverable, the financial analysis should explicitly model the impact of further funding reductions on the proposed organizational structures. This will help UNFPA prepare for potential future cuts.
50% 9 weeks from the start date of the assignmentDeliverable 4: A change management plan – with actionable steps, timelines, communication strategies, risk management protocols, and key performance indicators – for the implementation of all proposed designs and changes. 5% 12 weeks from the start date of the assignment
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s or PhD) in Organizational Development, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
Years of experience:
Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in management, organizational structuring, workforce planning, and HR strategy development, preferably within the UN system or international organizations. Proven track record in conducting organizational reviews and designing staffing models for efficiency and effectiveness. Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify and address complex organizational challenges. Ability to work harmoniously in an international and multicultural environment and in crisis contexts. Experience working with UN agencies in strengthening capacities to deliver results in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitional societies would be an advantage. Familiarity with UNFPA and UNDP human resources and financial policies and procedures is preferred. Expertise in financial modeling and scenario planning, especially in the context of fluctuating funding environments.Language:
Fluency in oral and written English.
Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment):
UNFPA will provide office space, all relevant background information, and documentation relevant to this assignment.
The consultant is expected to provide all necessary equipment to complete the assignment (computer, software, phone, etc).
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.