Job Description
The Position:
Under the overall guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Strategic Information &Policy Specialist supports the Country Office with high quality, integrated technical, programme, and operational support within a data systems strengthening approach and analysis of ICPD SDGs trends, challenges and opportunities. S/He drives the “big data'' agenda and provides substantive advice on policies to accelerate achievement of ICPD SDGs.
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:
The Strategic Information and Policy Specialist manages “big data”, simulations and predictive statistical modeling to ensure effective management in the areas of strategic information and policy advice. The incumbent ensures that UNFPA programming and policy priorities are strategically positioned and optimally integrated in national development frameworks; and are constantly reviewed and updated accordingly. S/He also ensures that UNFPA resources target the most under-served and vulnerable groups in accordance with its comparative advantage.
The priorities set up under the new Zimbabwe CP8 demand to strengthen the strategic information system for evidence based programming and advocacy. Proper technical advice and knowledge sharing is required to address data gaps to inform policy decision making. Due to this, the incumbent will work together with the M&E Specialist in identifying critical data gaps that would need to be addressed via TA provision or joint advocacy efforts under the UNCT M&E group. The incumbent will analyze the SRHR, Gender and GBV policies implementation and its implications on the ICPD agenda.
The Strategic Information and Policy Specialist facilitates the work of consultants, advisors and experts; and establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multilateral and bi-lateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues. S/he must effectively influence counterparts from diverse backgrounds to jointly contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate. The Strategic Information and Policy Specialist works in close collaboration with the M&E Programme Specialist with the support provided by Programme Associates from Programme Unit as well as consultants, advisors, and experts as may be required.
This position is critical to enable SRHR, Adolescents/Youth and Gender/GBV technical clusters to implement CP8 commitments aligned with UNFPA Strategic Plan 2022-2025. The Strategic Information and Policy Specialist analyzes trends in sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as the social and policy related environment in-country and identifies opportunities for UNFPA assistance and strategic partnerships. The coordinator enhances capacity to mobilize and obtain social and political support for UNFSA’s work in Zimbabwe.
Responsibilities:
The Strategic Information and Policy Specialist will be responsible for:
A. Strategic Policy and Programme Development
Analyze the political, social and economic environment relevant to population and development; sexual and reproductive health and rights; and gender equality, and pursue opportunities for UNFPA intervention in a structured manner.
Assess implications of new policy developments and strategies and provides advice in respect to SDG targets in line with the ICPD beyond 2014 commitments
Takes the lead in establishing quality standards for project development and delivery in consultation with the M&E Specialist and the ESARO M&E Regional Technical Advisor.
Provide expert advice to the articulation of new or updated policies, frameworks, guidance and tools to further the advancement of the ICPD Programme of Action.
Contribute to the implementation of evidence-based advocacy, influence policy and programme approaches by consolidating and providing research data and programme results and through learning and knowledge platforms, report writing and dissemination, training, consultations, and relevant meetings and conferences.
Through the use of predictive statistical models, alert senior management of issues impacting on the ICPD agenda and SDG’s at policy level
Ensure that data obtained from varying sources including census, civil registry, health systems, HMIS, GBVMIS and field information are translated into relevant and meaningful information to guide policy and advocacy work.
Provide substantive and analytical support to reports and documents produced by the Country Office.
Support advocacy and resource mobilization efforts by making relevant data and information available; including around innovative financing/blended financing model
B. Research and knowledge management
Provide support in developing a prioritized national research agenda.
Ensure the creation and documentation of knowledge about current and emerging population development trends, including SRHR and gender issues.
Conduct or provide quality assurance to secondary data analyses for national advocacy and policy dialogue interventions.
Work closely with programme and operations units to identify areas for research in development of evidencebacked strategies, leading the analysis, including design, quality assurance, and synthesis of substantive trends, emerging needs and research findings in order to produce innovative and cutting edge knowledge products for programme implementation.
Ensure increased availability and use of technical information to improve data collection, analysis, and use; with special attention to recent developments in analysis of data from censuses, surveys, statistics, etc.
Provide leadership in the analysis of substantive reports on population and development issues, specifically around the demographic dividend, support the formulation of follow-up actions in review of policies, programmes and processes.
Participate and contribute to discussions and events on emerging population issues, programme results, research findings, and new scientific knowledge.
Prepare materials for publication and dissemination for South-South Cooperation such as best practices and practical lessons learnt.
Provide substantive and analytical support to reports and documents produced by the Country Office.
Provide sound evidence based information, data and best practice to enhance team-wide reporting, communications, innovation and knowledge management.
C. Strategic Information and capacity development
Provides technical assistance to Ministry of Health on enhancing the quality of and building capacity in Strategic Information, including monitoring and evaluation (M&E), surveillance and health information systems (HIS) with a focus on building sustainable systems
Improves data visualization, analytics, and advocates for data use for decision making
Supports implementation of interactive data platform with indicators on UNFPA transformative results, SDGs and National Development Strategy
Build internal capacity on environmental scanning, policy analysis; in the use of data collection and analysis techniques to enable Programme staff to develop, support, monitor and evaluate Country Programme outputs in their respective areas. Drive a culture of data use in the day-to-day functioning of the CO.
D. Advocacy and resource mobilization
Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts of Country Office by preparing relevant documentation (i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events).
Develop factsheets, briefing materials, infographics, and presentations for public information, advocacy and resource mobilisation purposes.
Prepare project proposals and share information about UNFPA tools for co-financing and funding.
Build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for advocacy for ICPD agenda through national institutions, academia, UN partners and CSO.
Monitor and keep updates on existing and potential partnerships.
E. Funds management
Prepare and manage relevant budgets.
Monitor expenditures to ensure delivery is in line with approved budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels.
Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of financial information.
F. General Support
Stand-in for other Programme team members on selected functions as may be required.
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Master’s Degree in demography, statistics, population studies, economics, social science or other field directly related to the substantive areas of this position.
Knowledge and Experience:
Minimum of 5 years of programme experience, advocacy work and capacity development.
Proven quantitative and qualitative data analysis, visualization, and interpretation skills
Demonstrated experience to manage high volume work flow and ability to maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders
Proved evidence to produce analytical briefs and programme/policy papers
Excellent knowledge of quantitative software, communication, negotiation, and managerial skills. Self-starter, proactive, passion for the issues.
Advanced skills on statistical software application, MS Excel and data visualization skills.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and managerial skills required. Self-starter, proactive, passion for the issues;
Experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes;
A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in Zimbabwe will be an added advantage
Demonstrated ability to work in and lead a team
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another UN Official Language, 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
Resource Mobilization and Fundraising
Strategic Planning and Leadership
Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
Delivering results-based programmes
Partnerships and donor relations
Technical Understanding of the areas of work
Project Management, People Management and Leadership
Managing financial Resources and processes
Proficiency in current office software applications
Managerial Competencies:
Providing Strategic Direction and Leadership
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.
Disclaimer:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
