Junior Professional Officer Full-Time

The UNFPA Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme is intended to provide on-the-job training for young professionals who wish to obtain practical experience in development assistance.  It gives them an opportunity to acquire professional knowledge in population projects in a developing country.

In line with UNFPA Strategic Plan, UNFPA Global Innovation Strategy, UNFPA Strategy on Adolescents and Youth, Mozambique/UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNFPA Country Programme, related programme guidelines and procedures, the JPO ensures effective support to UNFPA supported activities in the areas of Innovation and Adolescent/Youth development especially Sexual and Reproductive Health/Rights and gender equality.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Help catalyze the generation of ideas, developing innovation skills
• Support the country office (CO) for the identification, development and implementation of innovative products and services
• Facilitate Innovation process across Implementing Partners, CO and Regional Office
• Monitor and report on innovation initiatives
• Support scaling up of successful innovations
• Identify new partners and develop relevant network and partnerships (UN agencies, innovators, investors, public and private sectors, etc.)
• Introduce innovative financing methods (crowdsourcing, DIB, etc.) for existing and future programmes
• Ensure the generation and documentation of knowledge and reports regarding current and emerging innovation on adolescent and youth development programmes
• Participate actively in East and Southern Africa Innovation Community of Practice and as requested the Innovation global inter-divisional work group (IDWG)
• Support the institutionalization of a culture of Innovation within the CO

Competencies

Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN System, Embracing diversity in all its forms, 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 Skill Set:

• Encouraging creativity and innovation in others
• Strengthening capacity of Country Office
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness
• Thinking creatively and critically to solve problems and manage risk
• Feasibility assessment
• Delivering result-based programmes
• Advocacy / Advancing innovation-oriented agenda
• Developing partnerships with local and regional key stakeholders

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications and Experience

• Master degree in a relevant discipline including health, population, management and/or related social fields with specialized knowledge in the field of innovation, information technology, and/or new technologies
• At least 2 years of experience in innovation/research and project management
• Excellent planning, analysis and assessment skills
• Good writing, communication and training skills
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds
• Complete computer literacy
• Prior experience in developing countries is an asset.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Portuguese (other working languages of the UN) is an asset