Humanitarian Specialist, Division for Communications and Strategic Partnership (DCS), Brussels, Belgium, P-3

The Position:

The position is located in the Representation Office in Brussels, Division for Communications and Strategic Partnerships of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The Brussels Representation Office manages UNFPA’s relations with the European Union (EU) institutions and several EU member States, with a focus on partnerships, advocacy and the mobilisation of support for UNFPA's humanitarian and development programming. 

The Humanitarian Specialist works under the supervision of the Senior Policy and Strategic Partnership Advisor of the Representation Office in Brussels. The Humanitarian Specialist is a member of the Brussels Office programme team and works in coordination with UNFPA’s Humanitarian Response Division based in Geneva. The Specialist is responsible for coordinating the Office’s organization-wide capacity-building programme, developing tools and sharing information to support resource mobilization, advising Country Offices, Regional Offices and other business units on DG-ECHO processes, and supporting compliance with contractual obligations in the area of EU humanitarian aid.

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:

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results. The Humanitarian Specialist will provide technical and programmatic support to UNFPA Country Offices, Regional Offices and other business units on the assessment and submission of funding proposals, contribution agreements, programme management and reporting on humanitarian programmes. The successful candidate will also coordinate the capacity-building efforts of UNFPA’s Representation Office in Brussels. 

By developing relations with and providing updates to technical staff in DG-ECHO, the incumbent will uphold, protect and further enhance UNFPA’s reputation as a highly effective humanitarian actor. In addition, the successful candidate will support the advocacy and communication efforts of the Representation Office. 

 

You would be responsible for:

Programme development, management, and reporting support

• Identify potential areas of programme collaboration, including special initiatives and visibility events, with DG-ECHO, civil society and other relevant entities;
• Guide and assist Country Offices, Regional Offices and Headquarters units in Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) proposal processes and funding requests to DG-ECHO;
• Review and submit HIP proposals on DG-ECHO’s online platform APPEL;
• Assess the quality of interim and final reports, modification requests, non-essential complementary information, provide feedback and ensure compliance with DG-ECHO’s reporting requirements and schedules;
• Support budget-holders in the fulfillment of contractual obligations in the context of humanitarian projects and programmes funded by DG-ECHO;

Capacity-building strategy

• Coordinate the implementation of the Capacity-building Strategy of the Brussels Representation Office, in collaboration with relevant business units;
• Assist in conceptualizing and preparing meetings, workshops and round tables on policy issues related to EU humanitarian aid and cooperation partnerships between UNFPA and DG-ECHO;
• Identify and disseminate lessons learnt and good practices in collaboration with the Humanitarian Response Division, Country and Regional Offices

Advocacy and resource mobilization

• Develop productive relations with DG-ECHO desk officers, regional desks, technical staff and support thematic and geographic dialogues at technical level;
• Support high-level visits with technical inputs on EU humanitarian aid;; 
• Assist with preparations for public meetings/seminars/workshops related to humanitarian crises;
• Provide inputs to briefing notes for senior management and relevant policy papers; 
• Build and maintain alliances and strategic partnership with DG-ECHO, donor countries, other relevant entities for the advancement of humanitarian aid;
• Assist with the organization of, participate in, and follow up to humanitarian events (e.g. European Humanitarian Forum, Senior Officials Meetings, pledging conferences);

Other responsibilities

• Actively contribute to office and programme team meetings;
• Update colleagues on relevant development in the area of work;
• Contribute to fostering a collaborative and enabling work environment and organisational culture;
• Backstop team members upon request;
• Perform any other tasks as needed and directed by the supervisor.

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in public health, social science, gender, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related fields is required. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and managing EU humanitarian programmes/ projects;
• Experience working with, and building partnerships with donors, and civil society organizations internationally and in the field;
• Advanced knowledge of DG-ECHO, policies, procedures and financing in the EU humanitarian aid is an asset;
• Experience with programme development, management and reporting required and knowledge of UNFPA’s mandate and programme priorities an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, networking and advocacy skills.

Languages: 

Oral and written fluency in English required; working knowledge of French highly desirable; knowledge of an additional UN language an asset.

 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• 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
• Communicating for Impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging resources/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results based programmes
• External and internal relations and advocacy for resource mobilization
• Creating visibility for the organization.

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.