Programme Associate, Humanitarian, Dakar, Senegal, WCARO, G6

The Position:

The Programme Associate is based in Dakar, WCARO with frequent travel to the field. S/he reports to the Humanitarian Specialist and will work closely with staff and multiple partners.

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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 Programme Associate supports the RO in assessment of humanitarian situation, identification of needs, and preparation and implementation of the humanitarian response plans, in coordination with other humanitarian actors, implementation partners and Government. Represent UNFPA in the Access Working Group and other relevant humanitarian coordination.

You would be responsible for:

A. Assessment and Planning

• Support in assessing emergency situation, by working closely with sub-office staff, located at the sub-national level, and program units, to support in humanitarian response planning, including needs for humanitarian commodities contingency planning and distribution, based on the field needs and available funds;
• Facilitate and participate in interagency assessments and/or humanitarian delivery missions;
• Contribute and participate in the planning, implementation and monitoring of CO humanitarian activities, including but not limited to assessments, evaluation of UNFPA work, documentation good practices and lessons learned and propose improvements;

B. Coordination

• Liaise with humanitarian partners to collect information for effective mapping of humanitarian needs, identify gaps and coordinate response activities;
• Monitor humanitarian risk factors and support inter-agency contingency planning efforts in coordination with CO staff and sub-offices;
• Prepare and submit convoy plans and follow up with OCHA and multi-sectors in regards with logistics and commodities selection;
• Coordinate with UNFPA programme teams and security staff to ensure efficient and timely preparation of planned convoys, contingency plans and micro-plans;
• Act as the Access Working Group Focal Point, support to organize, participate and assist in organizing work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with key partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters;
• Liaise with sub/field offices with respect to supply chain management and ensuring commodities pipeline is in place with the procurement and logistics unit;

C. Programmatic and operational support to emergency response, as relevant
In close cooperation with RH Coordinator (WOS), procurement/logistics and programs units:

• Identify and highlight relevant operational factors affecting humanitarian situation and response efforts;
• Contribute to the procurement and distribution planning for commodities in the preparation of project proposals for donors;
• Assess and organize logistics in terms of receiving, handling, storing, transferring and distributing relief items and ensuring proper warehousing with Logistics Cluster and managing UNFPA recording systems;
• In coordination with programme colleagues, sub-offices and the M&E unit, support in managing implementation of emergency activities and monitoring their effectiveness;
• Regularly submit situation reports on stocks, equipment and prepositioned goods;
• Carry out regular monitoring field trips to ensure that relief items transferred to IPs are well received and properly accounted for at their destinations. In case of a loss or damage, follow up with clearing agents, shipping and insurance companies in liaison with HQ;

D. Communication
In close cooperation with communication unit:

• Contribute to the production of response reports, recommendations and proposals for emergency intervention;
• Contribute preparation to the Communication Plan including information products such as 4Ws, SitReps, UNFPA statements, key advocacy messages and plan of action, fact sheets, etc.;
• Contribute to the program/project proposal drafting by preparing the humanitarian needs and calculating the supply requirements;

E. Partnerships

• Work closely with UNFPA Country Office staff and partners to maintain consultations with governments, UN agencies, and concerned NGOs on UNFPA substantive matters on humanitarian issues and provide technical support needed;

F. Advise on procedures in place for the response

• Assist UNFPA Country Office to develop a contingency/emergency preparedness plans for future emergencies;
• Liaise with and keep close contacts with UNFPA implementing partners involved in programme implementation and assist them in all matters pertaining to logistics and procurement;
• As focal point follows Track Shipments and report on all inventories and logistics related issue;
• Upload shipments receipts and handover forms in a timely manner;
• Submit quarterly inventory certifications in close coordination with UNFPA Resident Representative;
• Follow up on shipments in transit;

G. Carry out any other duties as may be requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Secondary Level Education required. First level university degree is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience:

● Six years of relevant experience in development and/or humanitarian Programme/project management and coordination with focus on Programme implementation;
● Field-level experience working in humanitarian settings particularly in RH, GBV and/or youth humanitarian programming, including the development of results frameworks, monitoring and evaluation;
● Experience working in emergency preparedness and response at the central and decentralized level, conducting needs assessments; designing, implementing and monitoring humanitarian response in the areas of GBV, RH and youth is an asset.
● Familiarity with UN procedures and working methods, particularly with UNFPA’s agenda, policies and procedures, is highly desirable;
● Knowledge of humanitarian logistics with a focus on dignity/hygiene kits and RH kits;
● Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required;

Languages:

Fluency in English is required and French is desirable to enable effective communication with English speaking and French speaking country coordination groups and local organisations (West and Central Africa region).

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:

• Managing the organization’s financial resources
• Providing procurement services
• Ensuring facilities and assets management

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. 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.