The Position:
The Population Policy Specialist oversees project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks and ensures the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of population and development with a focus on integration of population dynamics considerations into national and subnational development planning and strategies.
You will report to the Deputy 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:
Employing your programme management experience, you will oversee the work of the population and development team as well as consultants, advisors, and experts. You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues and current and future trends, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.
You will be entrusted with monitoring the programme country’s views and policies on key population issues, tapping from available data and statistics such as population size and growth, population age and sex structure, fertility, reproductive health and family planning, health and mortality, spatial distribution, gender equality, gender based violence, etc. including in humanitarian settings You will do so while identifying opportunities for cross fertilization with other areas of interventions in the CO, namely reproductive health and gender.
You will ensure substantive technical advice on population issues to CO, government, intergovernmental bodies and UN for harnessing the Demographic Dividend (DD) through demographic analysis and projections, building internal (CO) and external capacity on population-based data collection (censuses, surveys, etc.), DD, SDGs, ICPD@2015 engagements monitoring and reporting, and effective coordination.
You will directly manage the Project to strengthen equitable access to integrated socio-health services in Senegal for people living with disabilities. The overall objective of the project is to ensure the rights and equitable, inclusive, and integrated access to quality socio-health services for people with disabilities in Senegal, with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
You will coordinate the technical and strategic support from UNFPA Senegal for the SWEDD program (Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend), ensuring the coherence, quality, and effectiveness of UNFPA’s support to the implementation of the SWEDD Programme in Senegal.
You would be responsible for:
A - Programme and technical leadership and support
Provide strategic direction and technical leadership in the development of key population-related thinking and policy documents, including fact sheets, policy briefs and white papers. Ensure coherence and synergy among different interventions/initiatives; Generate, analyze and disseminate data to inform program design, implementation and evaluation; Generate quality cutting-edge products on Population and Development, which covers data for development and demographic dividend to enable the CO to contribute to the strategic national discussions, with key decision makers such as Ministers, Parliamentarians, Donors, Private Sector, etc. Ensure regular and timely population-related situation analysis and integrated appraisal of population dynamics and impact on poverty, inequality and development in Senegal Identify capacity gaps among key ICPD partners and facilitate capacity building and policy dialogue Work closely with relevant national entities and provide technical support to the Ministry of Economy, Plan and Cooperation and the National Statistical Office to ensure ready availability of accurate, user-friendly, disaggregated data to monitor ICPD commitments, SDGs, and National Development Plan; this includes facilitating and advising on quality of socio-demographic surveys and the 2023 Population and Housing censuses (planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation) in line with the UN Statistic Division Recommendations; Establish clear links between investments in sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, education, young people and the reduction of poverty and reaping the demographic dividend; Oversee the design and implementation of the Population and Development component of the country programme, aligning with Government priorities and UNFPA programme policies and procedures, establishing partnerships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project inputs. In collaboration with Government counterparts, WCARO advisers, facilitate the integration of Population issues in the formulation and design, of development plans in line with Government priorities and UNSDCF Oversee achievement of programme results by ensuring appropriate policies are applied and monitoring and oversight mechanisms are established and implemented. Be accountable for financial resources allocated to the population and development Programme; carry out budget projections, closely monitor expenditures, conduct regular budget reviews and analyze related financial reports; ensure proper compliance with UNFPA norms and procedures for the utilization of funds; Review the political, social and economic environment relevant to UNFPA programme activities, and pursuing opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. Assess the implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution and ensure their integration. Ensure effective knowledge management strategies are implemented by the Population and development team, capturing lessons learned and best practices for future planning; addressing training needs of project personnel.B - Research, evidence-based, advocacy and policy dialogue
Interpret, analyze and conceptualize the data/information generated through censuses, DHS, poverty and income and other relevant national surveys (GBV, Labor, Education) to draw concrete policy options and recommendations for UNFPA management for advocacy and evidence-based planning and budgeting Advocate with key partners, especially government entities, for the use of population data and related analytical documents for key decision making and budgeting Engage in and facilitate effective policy dialogue of UNFPA senior management in related area with policy-makers and parliamentarians for advancement of ICPD agenda and SDGs Identify emerging issues and research needs to advance the ICPD@25 agenda Ensure the overall quality assurance of the researches commissioned and funded by UNFPA and be actively involved and provide inputs on other national population-related and social surveys and research activities Lead economic analysis including studies of national budgets, social protection and safety net measures such as national social security scheme, the universal health coverage, and others. Anticipate and advise on impact of population dynamics in public policies and investments Facilitate the management in policy dialogue for positioning ICPD@25 outcomes in the National Development Frameworks both for the Government and for the UN (UNSDCF);C - Partnerships, coordination and resources mobilization
Actively seek and maintain strategic partnerships and collaboration with external counterparts, including research institutions, think tanks, universities and development partners for technical collaboration, resource mobilization, advocacy and knowledge sharing in the area of population planning and research and data for development Actively promote and facilitate communities of practice Represent UNFPA Senegal in relevant technical meetings, workshops and conferences as required In all activities, work as part of the inter-disciplinary CO team and provide high-quality integrated technical support, operational policy, programme and communications support to the CO management and other programme units Scan donors’ environment and mapping their presence and interest in the country to support the CO management in resource mobilization; Lead P&D portfolio proposals writing and their submission to targeted donors; Ensure quality reporting of the P&D projects implementation and in timely submission of reports to Government and donors. Actively contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the CO in related area, by ensuring preparation of relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related meetings and public events.D - Supervision and performance management
Lead the Population and Development Team and ensure high standard of staff management within the team using a participatory style; Supervise, mentor and coach team members in order to strengthen or further develop their capacity. This includes the implementation of UNFPA performance management system for his/her direct reports; Ensure that regular team meetings take place, with their outcomes and resolutions properly recorded.E - Coordinate the implementation of the project to strengthen equitable access to integrated social and healthcare services in Senegal for people living with disabilities.
Provide strategic and technical support for the planning and implementation of interventions to strengthen access to and use of an integrated package of quality services for people living with disabilities, particularly women and young people in the target regions. Ensure timely program implementation by establishing collaborative reports with regional coordinators, government stakeholders, and other partners. Monitor the project's financial execution in accordance with UNFPA procedures. Facilitate collaboration between the relevant ministries of Family, Health, Youth, and Economy, and civil society organisations. Support the organisation of meetings of the technical committee and the steering committee. Strengthen the project's monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure an effective, high-quality information management and sharing system within the Results-Based Management framework. Enhance the project's visibility and synergy of interventions in the field.F - Provide Technical support to the SWEDD Programme Management Unit :
Provide technical assistance to the SWEDD components falling under UNFPA’s mandate, including adolescent girls’ empowerment, reproductive health, family planning, women’s rights, women’s leadership, and gender-based violence prevention.”G - Carrying out any other relevant activities/responsibilities as assigned by the UNFPA country office leadership
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Knowledge and Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of population and development activities, especially in policy development in public, private or academic sector; Strong track record of technical leadership and proven ability to produce demonstrable results; Demonstrable ability to network with academic and research organizations, and ability to engage in high-level political dialogue; Demonstrable expertise and knowledge on population and development landscape in Senegal; Proficiency in data interpretation, research methodology/design and policy analysis; Good understanding of human right-based approach and results-based management of development programmes/projects and M&E; Experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners; Proven experience in coordinating/managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants; Proven experience in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and in mobilizing resources and partnerships; Experience in drafting and implementing policy (legislation) proposals; Excellent drafting, communication and interpersonal skillsField experience and prior experience with the UN system would be assets;
Languages:
Fluency in French and working knowledge of English are required.
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,
Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships Delivering results-based programmeInternal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
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. 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.
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.