Programme Specialist, Quality Assurance, P3, Nairobi, Quality Programming Branch, Programme Division

The Position:

The Programme Specialist, Quality Assurance, ensures that UNFPA's country, regional, and global programmes align with the UNFPA strategic plan priorities and adhere to established quality standards. Reporting to the Programme Adviser, Quality Assurance, the incumbent supports results planning, monitoring and reporting, as well as building and rolling out guidelines and tools for the development, review, and approval processes of UNFPA programmes.

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 main tasks and responsibilities of the Programme Specialist, Quality Assurance, include:

• Develop, manage, revise, and implement organizational policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, and tools, including AI-powered tools, formats, assessment criteria, and rating methodologies, to support results planning, monitoring, reporting, and programme quality assurance, particularly those for the development, review, and approval of country programme documents and global and regional programmes, ensuring alignment with UNFPA strategic plan priorities and adherence to established guidelines and standards.
• Develop guidelines, standards, and tools for results planning, monitoring and reporting, in particular, those related to quality programming, and facilitate corporate Strategic Dialogues and theory of change processes for programme strategic visioning and design;
• Support periodic meetings and quality assurance exercises.
• Conduct critical quality analyses on results planning, monitoring and reporting of programmes, identifying gaps, bottlenecks, lessons learned, and best practices, promoting innovative tools, approaches, and strategies (such as programme costing, strategic interventions, and leveraging artificial intelligence analytical brainpower) to inform quality programming and executive decision-making, while also providing strategic analysis and technical advisory support to the Programme Division for engagement with the Executive Board on UNFPA programmes and related agenda items, including drafting remarks for approval of new programme documents and extensions.
• Support the management and facilitation of strategic partnerships internally and at inter-agency levels related to the derivation, alignment, and sequencing of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and country programme documents, including facilitating coordination for Executive Board approval processes.
• Support the roll-out of collaborative actions with field offices, including newer programme design initiatives

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's or higher) in international relations, social sciences, international development, information management, data science, computer science, artificial intelligence, demography, public health, development studies, political science, sociology, or other related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least five years of relevant professional experience;
• Job knowledge and expertise – the incumbent is expected to have in-depth knowledge of UNFPA mandate areas;
• Professional experience in programme data management and quality assurance experience;
• Demonstrated expertise in data management software, application of AI and digital solutions, and analytic skills;
• Involvement in and understanding of UN intergovernmental and interagency systems would be an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.

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:

• Programme management,
• Data management,
• Financial management,
• Strong analytical skills.

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.