State Programme Officer - UNFPA (Apply by: 30 Apr 2014)

VACANCY NO. : UNFPA/IND/2014/004

ISSUE DATE : April 16, 2014

CLOSING DATE : April 30, 2014

POST TITLE : State Programme Officer, Odisha

POST LEVEL : ICS 9

POST NUMBER : 00034497

DUTY STATION : Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

DURATION : Annual, renewable

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The UNFPA State Office will be responsible for incorporation of the principles of the ICPD Programme of Action, in State policies and strategies. It will work closely with the state departments mandated for addressing reproductive health, gender, rights, decentralization and other related issues. The State Office will be responsible for providing direct technical support, share international best practices for possible replication and act as the frontline agency on achievement of ICPD and MDG goals.

Under the overall supervision of the State Programme Coordinator (SPC), the State Programme Officer(SPO) will be responsible for providing inputs for successful implementation of RH and HIV programmes; and for other social sector programmes such as education, women and child and youth with a view to integrate RH and ICPD mandate. Assist the State Programme coordinator interface with State Commissions such as for Women and Human Rights, to coordinate research and pilots on identified population and development issues and provide inputs for advocacy programmes related to UNFPA’s country programme, including sex selection.

The SPO will facilitate the successful implementation of the state component of the Country Programme Action Plan and the subsequent Annual Work Plans. In the absence of the State Representative the SPO will be responsible for managing the State Office and undertake a representational role for UNFPA.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide technical and operational support inputs for the effective implementation of National Rural Health Mission, Reproductive & Child Health-II and National Aids Control programmes and in areas related to UNFPA mandate with regard to gender, education, youth, panchayats and other development programmes:

• Closely interact with senior officials in the state government and undertake field visits to identify key implementation gaps and barriers impeding progress of programmes.
• Identify opportunities for mainstreaming a gender and rights perspective in different development programmes at the state level
• Provide direct technical inputs for addressing programmatic gaps and improvement of systems and processes.
• Participate and contribute to policy level discussions on issues related to ICPD mandate.

2. Coordinate management of programmes, pilots and research studies supported by UNFPA.

• Assist the implementing partners at the state level in the formulation, execution management and monitoring of the annual work plans
• Based on implementation gaps and issues that need to be addressed, identify and design relevant interventions at the state level.
• Interface with partners at the state level in the finalization of contracts in close collaboration with the Delhi office.
• Closely oversee implementation of pilots and interface with the Government to ensure smooth and effective execution.
• Identify areas for undertaking research, provide inputs for design of studies and oversee their conduct, in close collaboration with the Delhi office.
• Design, undertake and oversee documentation of experiences in implementation of pilots.
• Organize sharing of lessons learned from pilots with the State Government for incorporation in the State Government programmes and upscaling of pilots.

3. Identify, design and manage advocacy interventions related to UNFPA’s mandate including sex selection

• Identify and act upon opportunities for advocating the UNFPA’s mandate at the state level.
• Develop an advocacy strategy.
• Maintains a functional network of contacts in the media and civil society at the state level for the advocacy of UNFPA’s mandate.
• Identifies and documents the relevant information for evidence based advocacy
• Follow up and coordinate on the contracting arrangements with partner agencies

4. Management of the State Office in the absence of the State Representative.

• Manage the financial, personnel and administrative tasks of the State Office.
• To ensure compliance to UNFPA procedures, ensure submission of reports as per schedule; coordinate audit and follow-up on audit observations.
• Identify opportunities for resource mobilization and conceptualize interventions for that purpose.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Values and Guiding Principles: Integrity, Commitment to the Organization and its Mandate; Cultural Sensitivity and Valuing Diversity
• Developing People: Developing people/Coaching and Mentoring, Performance Management, Fostering Innovation and Empowerment
• Building & Managing Relationships: Working in Teams, Communicating Information and Ideas, Self Management/Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements
• Personal Leadership & Effectiveness: Analytical and Strategic thinking, Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence, Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making, Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Results-based programme development and management – Contributes to the achievement of results through primary research and analysis and effective monitoring of programme/ project implementation. Uses analytical skills to identify opportunities for project development and participates in formulation of proposals ensuring substantive rigour in the design and application of proven successful approaches.
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches – Enhances existing processes and products. Documents and analyzes innovative strategies, best practices and new approaches. Adapts quickly to change.
• Leveraging the resources of partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships – Establishes, maintains and utilizes a broad network of contacts to keep abreast of developments and share information. Analyzes selected materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.
• Advocacy/ advancing a policy oriented agenda – Prepares and communicates relevant information for evidence-based advocacy. Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil society to support advocacy efforts, and takes opportunities to advocate UNFPA’s mandate.
• Resource mobilization – Provides inputs to resource mobilization strategies, analyzing and maintaining information and databases on donors and developing database of project profiles for presentation to donors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of Master’s degree in health, population, demography, management and/or other related social science field.
• 3-5 years of minimum professional experience in programme/project management, planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes. Technical knowledge in UNFPA programme areas; programme monitoring and management; budgeting and financial analysis.
• Full proficiency in English (including excellent writing and communication skills), knowledge of one of the official Indian language.
• Proficiency in current office software applications.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application along with resume to: The Representative, UNFPA, 55-Lodi Estate, New Delhi indicating the post and vacancy number on the envelope. Closing date for applications: April 30, 2014. Applications may also be sent through email at the following email address: jobs.india@unfpa.org indicating the post and vacancy number in the subject line.

Candidates should also complete a United Nations Personal History Form (P.11). The P-11 form is available on the UNFPA website at http://india.unfpa.org/. The completed P-11 form should be submitted along with the application.

UNFPA offers an attractive compensation package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the value of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. UNFPA office is a Smoke Free environment.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or any other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.

This is a Project funded position open to Indian Nationals only