International Programme Coordinator, Dili, Timor Leste, P-3

The Position:

The International Programme Coordinator (IPC) position is based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

The incumbent will report directly to the Representative and will be responsible for providing programmatic and technical coordination and support for programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. The IPC contributes to policy dialogue, capacity building of staff and Implementing Partners (IPs) in results-based management through knowledge transfer, coaching and training, leading to measurable improvements in the effective and efficient delivery of programme results.

The IPC will provide technical coordination and guidance to programme staff, international and national UN volunteers, and project staff.

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, sustained results, and who 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:

The International Programme Coordinator provides programmatic and technical coordination and support for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNFPA’s 5th Country Programme (2026-2030).

The role coordinates programme implementation and performance management; supports quality assurance and UNFPA’s policy and advocacy priorities; and maintains working partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, and local communities to maximize impact and results in line with UNFPA priorities and standards.

Critically, the role is responsible for coaching, mentoring, and transferring knowledge to national staff by building measurable improvements in their programme management capabilities and accountability.

You would be responsible for:

A. Programme Coordination and Implementation

• Coordinate and support programme design, quality assurance, and results-based management across all programme thematic areas, ensuring coherence and integration across sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender/GBV, youth, and population dynamics work streams.
• Provide guidance and support for the development and monitoring of annual workplans, priorities, milestones, targets, timelines, budget and performance standards for the programme team.
• Ensure compliance with UNFPA programme management policies, programme standards, and quality assurance frameworks, including gender transformative and human rights-based approaches.
• Provide technical guidance and coordination on technical priorities in close collaboration with the Country Office (CO) and regional technical teams, ensuring the timely and appropriate provision of technical assistance to national partners.
• Assess programme performance against pre-defined methods and priorities by the supervisor for the formulation and monitoring of new projects, implement course-correction, and ensure timely monitoring and quality reporting in UNFPA systems.
• Monitor programme implementation systematically through field visits, progress reports, and tripartite reviews, and utilize information obtained as an input to corrective decision-making and revisions.

B. Capacity Development and Knowledge Transfer

• Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for national programme staff, grounded in results-based programme management principles, UNFPA policies, standards, practices and tools, and CP5 delivery requirements.
• Promote a learning environment and provide coaching and on-the-job training for national staff with a focus on programme design, workplan management, monitoring, reporting, and accountability and track measurable improvements in performance.
• Build the capacity of implementing partners (IPs) in applying UNFPA programme standards, financial management, PSEA compliance, and results-based planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Document and systematize knowledge, processes and systems to support the progressive transfer of knowledge and programme management capabilities.

C. Technical Support and Policy Engagement

• Provide substantive technical analysis and policy briefings to inform the Representative's engagement with government counterparts, donors, and UN agencies
• Identify, describe, and justify project possibilities around national policy processes, including UNSDCF planning, government strategy development, and inter-agency technical working groups on SRHR, gender, and population dynamics.
• Support evidence generation and analysis, including budget analysis, costing exercises and investment cases, to inform national dialogue on sustainable financing for UNFPA’s programme priorities.
• Appraise, review, and adjust project proposals to ensure consistency with national, sub regional, regional and sectoral priorities and programmes.
• Participate and contribute, as delegated, in n UN inter-agency forums, technical working groups, and national coordination platforms, representing UNFPA's mandate and maintaining the CO as a credible partner.
• Cultivate relationships with government ministries, implementing partners, and key stakeholders (including ADB, World Bank, etc), providing constructive technical input and ensuring accountability to agreed programme results.

D. Resource Mobilization and Programme Accountability

• Contribute to resource mobilization by developing evidence-based narratives, programme performance data, and substantive inputs for donor proposals and concept notes.
• Contribute to partnership strategies and substantive programme narratives that position the CO with donors and development partners and coordinate with the Representative on high-level donor engagement.
• Exchange information required for project formulation and implementation with government officials and representatives of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies.
• Ensure rigorous financial accountability and compliance, including proper use of programme funds, IP inventory management, and timely follow-up on audit recommendations as well as participating in evaluation exercises.
• Work closely with the M&E Unit to ensure efficient and effective programme implementation, including performance tracking, and quality assurance of and use of evidence and data for decision-making, programme implementation and course correction.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and quality of programme reports, donor reports, and other required documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with UNFPA standards.
• Work closely with the programme and communications teams to strengthen and enhance internal and external communications, improving visibility and programme impact.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Representative.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in public health, population studies, international development, development economics, social sciences, or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme management, preferably in the fields of SRHR, gender equality, or population and development.
• Demonstrated technical and programmatic knowledge and skills in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, GBV, demography or population dynamics or health economics.
• Demonstrated experience in results-based programme management, including workplan design, performance monitoring, and donor reporting.
• Proven experience providing technical guidance, coaching, or capacity building to national staff or implementing partners in development or humanitarian settings.
• Experience in policy advocacy and engagement with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, or development partners.
• Previous experience with UN/UNFPA is an asset.
• Experience working in resource-constrained or lower-middle-income country contexts with high programme complexity is an advantage.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focus on impact and result, and respond positively to feedback.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

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,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Resource mobilization and building partnerships,
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information,
• Providing technical support system; Strengthening the programming capacity of country offices

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.