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Position: Strategic Engagement Advisor -UNFPA (Deadline June 2024)

Last Updated: June 4, 2024

6 minutes read

Position: Strategic Engagement Advisor -UNFPA (Deadline June 2024)

Job Description: Strategic Engagement Advisor (NOD), Lilongwe, Malawi

Job Identification: 17905
Locations: Lilongwe, Malawi
Job Schedule: Full time
Grade: NOD
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Rotational/Non Rotational: Non-Rotational
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 7 years’ experience
Required Languages: English
Desired Languages: English
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Job Category: Management

The Position:

The Strategic Engagement Advisor is located in the Malawi Country Office (CO) and reports to the Representative. The Strategic Engagement Advisor leads the Advocacy & Partnership, Communication Group in coordination with all programmatic thematic units and staff, institutionalizing “Big thinking and Focus” to explore ideas that can catalyze change. S/he establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, parliamentarians, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, UN agencies, civil society, religious leaders, local authorities, academia, and the private sector to advocate for universal access to comprehensive SRHR information and services. S/he should effectively influence counterparts from diverse backgrounds to contribute to achieving three transformative results through the implementation of the Government of Malawi and UNFPA 9th Country Programme.

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 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,” addressing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recovering lost gains, and realizing 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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in managing the resources entrusted to them, and committed to delivering excellence in program results.

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Job Purpose:

In line with the existing gaps in adolescent girls and young women’s SRHR status, the 9th Country Programme prioritizes the health and well-being of adolescent girls, improving access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, increasing agency and empowerment of adolescents to reduce gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and teenage pregnancy, and strengthening HIV prevention. The Strategic Engagement Advisor takes a leadership role to capitalize and boost already achieved promising results, increasing demand and support to scale issues related to achieving the three transformative results.

In coordination with the Representative, the Strategic Engagement Advisor supports the Deputy Representative in the design, development, and management of innovative and responsive country programs, building a program team that translates regional and country goals into specific solutions and results.

Responsibilities:

A. Big Thinking and Focus:

Conduct substantive policy dialogue with government counterparts, UN, and other development partners to incorporate UNFPA’s program priorities and ICPD agenda into national plans and strategies, UN system initiatives, and development and humanitarian frameworks (CCA, UNSDCF, HNA, HRP).
Lead the translation of global and regional frameworks and strategies into country-specific advocacy strategies, creating and delivering effective evidence-based advocacy messages to promote UNFPA’s program goals, considering political and social sensitivities.
Provide support to program teams in tracking Malawi’s commitments to global, regional, and national frameworks related to UNFPA’s agenda.
Lead political and environmental scanning, regularly assessing the country situation and relevant research/surveys to inform sound policy dialogue, well-focused strategic interventions, and providing continuous advice to management.
Facilitate and operationalize the prioritization of interventions to engage counterparts in government, including parliamentarians, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, UN agencies, civil society, religious leaders, local authorities, the private sector, and media to advocate for the advancement of universal access to comprehensive SRHR, GBV prevention and response, and population dynamics.
Lead the development of white papers, briefing notes, policy briefs, infographics, and other products, considering the targeted audience.
Act as a focal point for engaging with highly profiled UNFPA champions and other relevant stakeholders.
Represent UNFPA in strategic forums to position the ICPD agenda and the three transformative results under the UNFPA mandate.

B. Forward-Focused Thinking and Innovation:

Work closely with Programme and Management Teams on identifying innovative approaches and engaging with various stakeholders.
Jointly develop, implement, and monitor actions to advance potential opportunities for intervention and innovations.
Foster adaptive management in strategic engagements with targeted non-traditional stakeholders.
Lead strategic thinking to mainstream the innovation approach across the country program thematic areas.
Foster innovative approaches under UNFPA’s interventions by engaging stakeholders and beneficiaries.

C. Management Advice and Support:

Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning, testing, linking, and documenting innovative strategies, approaches, lessons learned, and best practices inside and outside UNFPA, replicating these strategies and approaches.
Develop briefing notes for UNFPA management in line with UN frameworks and national, regional, and global agendas.
Support the UNFPA team, including management, to continue advancing the ICPD agenda within the UN dialogue and engagements.
Actively participate in the implementation and monitoring of UNSDCF in consultation with the Deputy Representative.
Represent UNFPA in the UN/UNCT delegated forums.

D. General Support:

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Master’s Degree in political sciences, social policy, public health/medical sciences, sociology, demography, economics, social mobilization, business administration, international relations, or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in development, program design and management, advocacy work, and capacity development.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and managerial skills. Self-starter, proactive, passion for the issues.
Proven ability to develop and implement effective resource mobilization strategies and campaigns.
Significant work experience in SRHR, gender, and youth areas required. Experience in humanitarian contexts is an asset.
Experience in program/project management, including experience in large multi-sector programs.
Strong knowledge of Results Based Programming and budgeting.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience with management of staff in multi-locations.
Thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations, and current development topics and political issues in Malawi.
Working experience with government, NGO, parliamentarians, foundation, or private sector in Malawi.
Demonstrated ability to work in and lead a team to achieve evidence-based results.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another UN Official Language is an asset.

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, our relationships, and others.
Communicating for impact.

Functional Skill Set:

Organizational Leadership and direction.
Strategic Planning and Leadership.
Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda.
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships.
Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.
Delivering results-based programs.
Partnerships and donor relations.
Technical understanding of the areas of work.
Proficiency in current office software applications.

Managerial Competencies:

Providing Strategic Direction and Leadership.
Engaging 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, 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 a 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 are at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce.