Job Description

The Position:

The post is located in Kyiv, Ukraine. Under the oversight of the Country Representative, and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent leads and advance UNFPA Ukraine’s efforts in GBV prevention and response through technical excellence, programmatic innovation, and impactful partnerships, with a focus on integrating these efforts into the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach. The position entails overseeing the GBV team, maintains relationship with GBV AoR Global coordination team in Geneva, and requires frequent travel to the field.

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’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

To lead and advance UNFPA Ukraine’s efforts in GBV prevention and response through technical excellence, programmatic innovation, and impactful partnerships, with a focus on integrating these efforts into the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach.

You Would Be Responsible For:

GBV AoR Coordination Oversight (60%)

• Provide overall strategic oversight and technical guidance to the GBV AoR coordination in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with UNFPA’s strategic priorities and international standards.
• Lead GBV AoR coordination meetings, actively engage with stakeholders, and develop and implement capacity-building initiatives for partners on GBV prevention and response.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate GBV coordination efforts to ensure they align with international standards, best practices, and UNFPA’s strategic goals.

Advisory and Nexus Integration (40%)

• Serve as a senior advisor on GBV prevention and response, focusing on mainstreaming GBV considerations into all areas of UNFPA Ukraine operations.
• Enhance the integration of GBV in emergency settings with recovery and development efforts, emphasizing continuity and sustainability of service delivery for GBV prevention and response
• Work on mainstreaming GBV into sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including case management and comprehensive management of rape.
• Work on GBV risk mitigation and prevention across sectors and in collaboration with other development and peace actors.
• Collaborate on youth and gender initiatives, identifying areas for improved GBV management through information management and M&E.
• Support data work related to GBV, ensuring high standards of data collection, analysis, and utilization.

Nexus and Durable Solutions

• Drive the integration of nexus approaches in GBV programming, ensuring alignment with the new Country Program Document 2025-2029.
• Collaborate with partners, including potential secondments from entities like Sweden, to enhance nexus work focused on recovery and development.

Strategic and Operational Management

• Lead the strategic realignment and operational effectiveness of GBV programming in Ukraine.
• Implement and oversee the strategic upgrade of GBV positions, including managing the reconfiguration process in compliance with organizational guidelines.
• Ensure seamless transition and continuity in AoR coordination through structured onboarding and potential “double occupancy” periods.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, International Development, Social Sciences, or related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in GBV prevention and response in conflict-affected contexts.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus
• Proven experience in program design, evaluation, and resource mobilization.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence and inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated management experience in leading a team.
• Commitment to feminist principles of social justice and the localization of aid.
• Proven experience in successful resource mobilization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with UN agencies, particularly UNFPA.
• In-depth understanding of GBV within development and humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in policy dialogue and advocacy at high levels.
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of additional languages (e.g., Ukrainian) is an asset.
• Understanding of EU accession processes is an advantage.

Education:

Advanced degree in Gender Studies, International Development, Social Sciences, or related field.

Languages:

Proficiency in English; knowledge of additional languages (e.g., Ukrainian) is an asset.

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:

• Global leadership and advocacy for ICPD
• Strategically positioning UNFPA programmes
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness
• Providing a technical support system
• Strengthening capacity of country offices
• Facilitating quality programme results
• Communication/external and internal advocacy for resource mobilization

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus;
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders;
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance;
• Making decisions and exercising judgment.

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.