Head of Office, NOD, Djibouti CO

Job description

• Job Identification33235
• Posting Date04/09/2026, 11:13 AM
• Apply Before05/01/2026, 12:00 AM
• Job ScheduleFull time
• Locations Djibouti, Djibouti
• GradeNOD
• Vacancy TypeFixed Term
• Rotational/Non RotationalNon-Rotational
• Contract Duration1 Year with Possibility for extension
• Education & Work ExperienceMaster’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience
• Required LanguagesEnglish and French

Job Description

The Position:

The Head of Office leads a country team in the development and management of a Government-UNFPA country programme of cooperation in support of efforts to achieve UNFPA’s strategic plan goals and the ICPD PoA, contributing to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). S/he reports to the Arab States Regional Office senior management, who provides overall vision, strategic guidance, support and oversight for the implementation of UNFPA programmes in the country.
Additionally, as a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the Head of Office has mutual accountability with the Resident Coordinator (RC) to whom s/he periodically reports on contributions and support for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other inter-agency agreements of the UNCT.
The Regional Office senior management conducts the performance appraisal of the Head of the Office whilst seeking inputs from the RC on Head of Office’s contributions as a UNCT member.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA expands choices and possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), focuses on four interconnected outcomes: (a) accelerating progress on meeting the unmet need for family planning; (b) accelerating progress on ending preventable maternal deaths; (c) accelerating progress on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and (d) adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need staff who are exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Office is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of UNFPA activities, and acts under delegated authority from the Regional Office senior management who maintains an overall accountability for the achievement of UNFPA strategic results in the country.
S/he actively supports the RC/UNCT and strategically positions UNFPA’s work within the context of the UNSDCF development and implementation, which should inform the UNCT activities and composition, and the specific focus of UNFPA country programme.

S/he is responsible for establishing a dialogue, promoting partnerships and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, UN system, multi/bilateral agencies, civil society, private-sector and other stakeholders in the country to develop and implement programmes that respond to national priorities and efforts to advance the ICPD Programme of Action and in support of the SDGs achievement.

In addition to his/her role as Head of Office, the incumbent will assume leadership of one of UNFPA’s core thematic areas (Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender Equality, or Population and Development), in line with corporate priorities and country context. The Head of Office will ensure strategic consolidation, positioning and scale-up of these achievements, while strengthening institutional capacities, partnerships and national ownership.
The Head of Office manages a team of technical, programme and operations personnel supporting country programme implementation, managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of high-quality results. S/he is accountable for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory, and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel.
You would be responsible for:

A. Programme leadership, planning and management:

• Conducting policy dialogue with Government, UN System and other development partners to incorporate UNFPA’s priorities and agenda into national plans and strategies, UNSDCF and other joint initiatives and development frameworks;
• Translating global agreements into country-specific advocacy strategies to promote the national plans. This includes creating and delivering evidence-based advocacy messages to promote UNFPA’s programme goals, taking into account political and social sensitivity.
• Ensuring application of Results Based Management principles in all phases of country programme development and implementation, integrating innovative policies and strategies into the design and formulation of country programme, sub-programmes and projects.
• Identifying, providing and coordinating inputs into programme development and implementation, ensuring programme monitoring and oversight, and coordinating and evaluating the inputs of technical experts.
• Promoting knowledge sharing and continuous learning. This includes testing, evaluating and documenting innovative strategies and best practices inside and outside UNFPA and replicating and embedding these as appropriate.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of UNFPA’s humanitarian and preparedness actions/efforts in-country.

B. External relationships and resource mobilization:

• Representing UNFPA at technical level meetings and high-level meetings under delegated authority from Regional Office senior management and in consultation with the UN RC;
• Managing strategic partnerships with key national and international in-country stakeholders in advancing the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s mandate
• Leading resource mobilization efforts by identifying potential donors, preparing proposals including outlining co-financing resources for support to the country programme, and supporting the government and other agencies in coordinating assistance for programmes.

C. Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team:

• Actively supporting the RC within the context of the UNSDCF results framework, including in policy and technical support as appropriate and within available means to achieve agreed UNCT results.
• Ensuring that the ICPD Agenda and UNFPA’s transformative results are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF development planning and agenda/priority setting for the achievement of the SDGs;
• Representing UNFPA at UNCT and Security Management Team (SMT) in accordance with the UNCT working arrangements, unless  Regional Office senior management is in-country.
• Participating in the Common Country Analysis  and UNSDCF planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, including through chairing/co-chairing the UNSDCF and other inter-agency results/theme groups at the country level.
• Supporting the RC in coordinated resource mobilization efforts for joint UN efforts.
• Participating in RC and UNCT members’ performance appraisal.

D. Leading and managing the country team:

• Under the overall guidance of the Regional Office senior management, managing country team staff; foster motivation, empowerment, learning and career management. Attract and retain the highest caliber of staff for the Country Office.
• Setting standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results according to the Country Office Strategic Information System.
• Managing resources entrusted to you through delegation of authority, to ensure effective achievement of results, maximum value for money, and achievement of efficiencies in programme and operations delivery.
• Ensuring that the Country Office complies with UNFPA policies and procedures, corporate requirements and audit recommendations, including related financial and programme monitoring systems.
• Ensuring that security risk management is fully integrated into programme planning and operations, participates actively in the in-country Security Management Team, ensures implementation of security measures and allocation of resources, maintains business continuity preparedness, and operates in compliance with UN Security Management System policies and procedures.
• Ensuring a work environment free from harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority.
• Ensure that all programme beneficiaries are protected against sexual abuse and exploitation committed by any actor affiliated with UNFPA in any way, and that they are informed of reporting mechanisms for sexual abuse and exploitation. Ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken in response to any such reports, in line with corporate requirements and standards.
• Ensuring the daily functioning of the Country Office.

Skills and qualifications