The Position:
At the heart of UNFPA's mandate, guided by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, is the foundational principle that every person counts. This commitment to universal legal identity across the entire life course is operationalized through UNFPA's expertise in population data and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS). This principle extends beyond life to encompass death: every person, alive or deceased, has a right to an identity. This is indispensable for dignity, for providing justice to families searching for their loved ones, and ultimately, for fostering social peace and the rule of law.
In Mexico, a profound human rights crisis persists, with over 120,000 missing and unlocated persons and more than 52,000 unidentified deceased individuals in forensic services. In response, UNFPA, in collaboration with the German Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian government and the Mexican Government—particularly the National Search Commission (CNB)—is implementing the “Human Identification in Mexico (ID-MEX)” project.
The project supports Mexican authorities in strengthening the forensic system to increase identifications, provide dignified restitution of human remains to families, and analyze data to support prevention mechanisms. In 2024 alone, this partnership helped return the identity to over 6,000 individuals by matching forensic records with the National Electoral Institute (INE), providing closure to families and contributing to social stability.
This senior position is located in the UNFPA Mexico Country Office and reports directly to the UNFPA Representative.
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 Programme Management Officer will provide strategic, technical, and managerial leadership for the ID-MEX project and oversee all UNFPA activities in human identification. You will guide a multidisciplinary team of up to 20 professionals, ensuring technical excellence in applying international standards (e.g., INTERPOL DVI) and data-driven solutions to Mexico's forensic and human rights challenges.
A key function of this role is to cultivate strong partnerships with national authorities, international donors, civil society, and families of the missing. You will lead the design and establishment of a multi-donor pooled fund to ensure the long-term financial sustainability and coordinated national support for the human identification agenda in Mexico.
You would be responsible for:
Strategic Programme Management: Lead the overall technical and administrative management of the ID-MEX project, applying a results-based management (RBM) approach. Oversee all planning, financial monitoring, risk mitigation, and reporting to donors and UNFPA headquarters. Partnership & Resource Mobilization: Serve as UNFPA’s primary liaison for human identification. Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with government counterparts, the international community, and civil society. Lead the formulation of project proposals and the establishment of a pooled fund to ensure long-term sustainability. Technical Leadership & Capacity Building: Provide expert technical guidance on human identification and forensic crises to national authorities and partners. Ensure all programmatic activities align with international standards and human rights principles, with a focus on strengthening data-driven approaches and gender-sensitive policies. Team Leadership & Management: Lead and manage a diverse team of forensic experts, data analysts, human rights lawyers, and administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment. Representation & Advocacy: Represent UNFPA in high-level technical and political discussions, inter-agency task forces, and other mechanisms related to human identification, human rights, and the rule of law.Qualifications and Experience
Education
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, law, human rights, management, social sciences, or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
A minimum of 12 years of professional experience, including at least 7 years specifically dedicated to managing human identification, forced disappearance, or forensic science programs. Proven track record of leading and implementing complex, large-scale projects in international organizations or public institutions, including direct experience managing diverse teams of over 10 professionals. Deep, demonstrated knowledge of the human rights and forensic crisis in Mexico, including the mandates of relevant international bodies (e.g., Committee on Enforced Disappearances). An established professional network in this field is a strong asset. Expert knowledge of international human identification processes and standards (e.g., INTERPOL DVI) and experience applying them in complex contexts. Extensive experience engaging with high-level government officials, civil society, and families of missing persons in Mexico or the region to achieve concrete results. Strong experience with Results-Based Management (RBM), monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and designing data-driven projects. Previous work experience within the United Nations system (especially UNFPA). Experience in designing or implementing IT solutions for public security or forensic contexts.Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of German is an asset.
Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing changeCore Competencies:
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 Building strategic alliances Delivering results-based programmes Internal and external communication.
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
Providing strategic focus Engaging partners, leading adn empowering people 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.