Job Description

The Position:

The Head of Sub-Office serves as the strategic lead in Rakhine State, responsible for driving the integration of programmes and operations while spearheading policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement. You will ensure the effective, results-based management of provincial work plans to achieve measurable impact in a complex environment.

The Head of Office/ Humanitarian Coordinator in Sittwe will report to the Deputy Representative.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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 and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

UNFPA’s Fourth Country Programme Document (2018-2022) for Myanmar was approved by the Executive Board in September 2017 and extended up to the end of 2026. The Programme focuses on three key areas of intervention 1) sexual and reproductive health and rights, 2) gender equality and women’s empowerment, and 3) population dynamics. The proposed Country Programme is aligned with the UNFPA’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and the United Nations Transitional Cooperation Framework (2024-2025). Youth and adolescents, as well as gender equality and related human rights, are mainstreamed throughout the programme. UNFPA has partnerships with civil society organizations, UN agencies, INGOs and local NGOs, foundations and research institutions. UNFPA has a presence in a number of priority states/regions, integrating development, peacebuilding and humanitarian spectrums.

Under the overall direction of the UNFPA Representative for Myanmar and the direct supervision of Deputy Representative, the incumbent will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and oversight of the substantive and technical content of the programme, as well as coordination with partners, advocacy, finance, personnel and office administration matters. S/he is responsible for ensuring that UNFPA’s mandate is strategically positioned within inter-agency coordination mechanisms, providing authoritative leadership in GBV and SRH coordination to achieve measurable results for women and young people.

You would be responsible for:

A. Partnerships and Coordination

• Serve as the primary UNFPA representative at the sub-national level, developing and managing strategic partnerships and high-level stakeholder engagement.
• Lead UNFPA’s participation in humanitarian coordination mechanisms in Rakhine, including Gender/GBV, SRHR, MHPSS platforms and mechanisms and Area Based Coordination architecture, ensuring UNFPA’s mandate is integrated into inter-agency initiatives.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with civil society, humanitarian/development partners, bilateral donors, and the private sector to ensure a consistent UNFPA presence.
• Maintain close collaboration with UN agencies and partners to foster synergy and ensure the "Humanitarian-Development-Peace" nexus is reflected in localized programming in Rakhine.

B. Technical Support and Programming

• Lead the design, formulation, and implementation of UNFPA interventions in Rakhine State, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme Document (CPD).
• Provide substantive inputs to country strategy documents, policy dialogues, and briefs regarding the specific socio-political challenges and needs in Rakhine.
• Finalize and oversee the implementation of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and budgets, ensuring technical excellence and synergy across different thematic teams.
• Ensure proactive communication and coordination between the Sub-Office and Country Office units (Programme and Operations) to streamline delivery.
• Act as an alternate Humanitarian Coordinator

C. Capacity Building

• Identify capacity gaps among national partners and lead the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, and training initiatives.
• Provide substantive support to partners on program planning, implementation, and the application of technical tools to enhance service delivery.
• Build and manage relationships with local partners in the Sittwe Field Office to support program expansion and troubleshoot implementation bottlenecks.

D. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Oversee the monitoring of programme implementation and finances using robust Results-Based Management (RBM)tools and performance indicators.
• Lead field monitoring missions and review technical reports to ensure interventions meet quality standards and donor requirements.
• Manage the timely submission of high-quality quarterly and annual reports, focusing on evidence-based results, outputs, and outcomes.
• Review and finalize implementing partner financial and narrative reports to ensure compliance and transparency.

E. Programme & Resource Management

• Manage the sub-office budget, including expenditure tracking, budget revisions, and the allocation/disbursement of funds to partners in accordance with the Internal Control Framework.
• Supervise, mentor, and coach sub-office personnel; oversee recruitment processes and conduct regular performance assessments to foster a high-performing team.
• In collaboration with the UNDSS and Operations Manager, ensure the safety and security of all personnel, assets, and project sites.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned to guide strategic planning; develop knowledge products that highlight UNFPA’s impact in Rakhine.

F. Resource Mobilization and Advocacy

• Identify advocacy and communication entry points to advise the Country Office on strategies that respond to localized challenges regarding SRHR and GBV.
• Develop and implement sub-national resource mobilization strategies, including researching donor trends and preparing briefs for potential cost-sharing opportunities.
• Monitor the perception of UNFPA at the sub-national level and ensure that programming results are effectively communicated to stakeholders and the public.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the sub-office and the Organization.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in public/community health, social work or other social sciences, international relations, human rights, development studies or other related social field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience at the national and international level in Programme Management and Development
• Experience in humanitarian coordination, reproductive health and gender issues and their application in international humanitarian or development settings;
• Knowledge of the humanitarian reform process and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors;
• Demonstrable knowledge of Gender-Based Violence, Reproductive health issues and/or protection issues in humanitarian settings, and of humanitarian emergency operations and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors;
• Experience coordinating and liaising with IPs, Other UN agencies and/or donors is desirable.
• Expert-level knowledge of international humanitarian tools, including GBV Standard Operating Procedures; GBV Information Management System; IASC Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Settings; IASC Gender in Humanitarian Action Handbook; GBV Coordination Handbook; and WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching Gender-based Violence in Emergencies
• Extensive experience in the "Cluster" approach or similar humanitarian coordination mechanisms, with a focus on leading inter-agency technical working groups.
• Demonstrated capacity in managing multi-donor budgets, oversight of implementing partner financial reporting, and strict adherence to the Internal Control Framework.
• Strong track record in supervising, mentoring, and coaching both international and national personnel to foster a results-oriented team environment
• Excellent computer literacy (windows environment, MS office applications including Word, Excel and Power-point and Internet skills)

Languages:

• Fluency in English is 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-oriented programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing Strategic Focus
• Engaging Internal/External Partners and Stakeholders
• Leading, Developing, and 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. 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.