NATIONAL POST: Programme Associate, G7, Freetown, Sierra Leone

The Position:

The Programme Associate supports the design, planning and management of UNFPA’s country programme by managing data inputs, providing logistical support, monitoring project implementation and following up on recommendations.

You will report to the Project Coordination Specialist.

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: 

You will play an instrumental role in facilitating UNFPA’s country programme and project implementation, supporting design, planning and management, in the areas of population and development, reproductive health and gender. 

You will apply established systems and procedures and assist in the creation of knowledge by compiling, synthesizing and analyzing relevant information, developing appropriate mechanisms and systems and ensuring compliance with procedures.

• Participating in the formulation of the country programme and component projects, by compiling and analysing information relevant to the UNFPA’s role in the country, drafting project documents and work plans and preparing tables and statistical data. 
• Supporting the evaluation of project and programme activities, establishing ways to assess achievement and recommending corrective action as required; conducting field visits; participating in review meetings and evaluation missions and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports. 
• Guiding routine implementation of assigned projects, in coordination with national counterparts and project personnel, coordinating delivery of project inputs; and ensuring participation of national counterparts in training activities and study tours.
• Providing logistical support to projects by coordinating project related meetings, workshops and events. Training and guiding project personnel and staff on national execution and programme policies and procedures.
• Supporting advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts of the CO, by establishing and maintaining a network of donor and public information contacts. Assisting with organizing and conducting donor meetings and public information events, including preparing relevant background material for these events.
• Assisting in implementing knowledge management strategies to capture lessons learned and best practices, sharing these with management for future planning. 
• Undertake other related duties as assigned by her/his supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  Completed Secondary Level Education required. First-level university degree desirable.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Seven years of relevant experience in programme/ project management.
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.

Languages: Fluency in English

Required Competencies:

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: 

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