Overview
The Programme Adviser post is the principal technical adviser and authoritative expert in the Fund for human rights and its linkages with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The role works in an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify priority areas in human rights, particularly reproductive rights, and develop strategic positions, policies, frameworks, and operational strategies.
- Support the mainstreaming of human rights and leaving no one behind (LNOB) in national and regional efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health.
- Lead LNOB efforts within UNFPA, including focus areas related to Indigenous Issues, persons with disabilities, persons of African Descent, LGBTQI+ efforts, and addressing discrimination and inequalities.
- Support the integration of the human rights-based vision of the ICPD mandate in UN intergovernmental discussions and fora.
- Respond to country office needs through regional offices in developing and updating policies, methodology, frameworks, guidance, standards, instruments, and tools related to human rights and LNOB.
- Support the implementation and coordination of the UNFPA-OHCHR Framework of Cooperation 2026-2030.
- Support UNFPA’s work in measuring, strengthening, and implementing laws to guarantee access to SRHR and protect women and girls from violence and discrimination.
- Ensure incorporation of evaluation results, lessons learned, and new knowledge in updating strategies, policies, tools, and approaches on human rights and their linkages with SDGs.
- Develop substantive indicators, tools, guidance, and a quality assurance framework for human rights and LNOB-related programming and evaluations.
- Contribute to technical and programming support efforts in the area of human rights and LNOB and linkages with UNFPA’s four outcomes.
- Support the work of international human rights mechanisms.
- Liaise and support civil society networks and organizations advocating for human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
- Provide technical assistance and support to UNFPA regional, sub-regional, and country offices to mainstream human rights in their programming frameworks and advocacy strategies.
- Guide the organizational effort to develop technical capacity of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to conduct country assessments of sexual and reproductive health and rights, national public inquiries, and policy dialogues.
- Provide substantive technical capacity development of government officials, Civil Society Organizations, NHRIs, and other relevant national stakeholders to track the implementation of recommendations issued by international human rights mechanisms.
- Identify, develop, and adapt training materials and manuals on reporting to international human rights mechanisms and implementation of recommendations.
- Develop the capacities of UNFPA staff on human rights and application of a Human Rights-Based Approach to programming.
- Coach and manage mid-level and junior professional staff and associates, direct expert consultants, and facilitate working groups and task teams.
- Lead the analysis methodology and conceptual thinking related to UNFPA’s work on SDG indicators 5.6.1 and 5.6.2.
- Ensure that evidence, technical knowledge, and analysis of lessons learned on HRBA and LNOB to programming and sexual and reproductive health and rights are collected, managed, disseminated, and available for application in UNFPA operations.
- Assemble briefing and background materials on human rights and its linkages with reproductive health and poverty reduction strategies and the achievement of the SDGs for senior management staff.
- Prepare briefing notes and background materials on a human rights based approach and LNOB to programming and on the promotion and protection of sexual and reproductive rights.
- Represent UNFPA on human rights, leaving no one behind, and gender equality issues.
- Support the Executive Director in her role in the UN Principal Level Human Rights Group.
- Collaborate with UN agencies, academia, research and training institutions, professional societies, and act as technical focal point for inter-agency working groups on human rights.
- Act as the Division’s substantive focal point on human rights and LNOB.
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Branch Chief or Division Director.
Required Experience
- 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in human rights and its linkages with reproductive health and poverty reduction strategies and the achievement of the SDGs.
- Seven years of experience at the international level.
- An acknowledged expert and recognized authority in the technical area.
- Broad experience in gender programming, essential.
- Knowledge and experience of working on legal issues and civil society involvement in related security & protection, an asset.
- Strong track record of technical leadership, publications, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results.
- Extensive network within the academic and development community.
- Field experience is essential.
Qualifications
Advanced University Degree in human rights and development, or other fields directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.
