UNFPA
Country Representative, China
Executive Brief
February, 2016
About UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every
pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
UNFPA expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives.
Since UNFPA started working in 1969, the number – and rate – of women dying from complications of
pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are smaller and healthier. Young people are more
connected and empowered than ever before.
UNFPA is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly. It plays a unique role within the
United Nations system: to address population and development issues, with an emphasis on
reproductive health and gender equality, within the context of the ICPD Programme of Action and
international development goals. UNFPA receives overall policy guidance from the General Assembly
and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It reports to its governing body, the UNDP/UNFPA
Executive Board, on administrative, financial and programme matters.
The Fund works in close collaboration with many other development and humanitarian agencies
(particularly WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and UNAIDS) in the field.
Strategic Plan
The UNFPA Strategic Plan 2014-2017 sets out a vision for the changes in the lives of women,
adolescents, and youth that UNFPA seeks to bring about based on an extensive analytical and
consultative process. The engagement and feedback from staff throughout the organization and the
guidance from the Executive Board and key stakeholders during the strategy development process
helped ensure that UNFPA has prepared a strategy that is evidenced-based, field-informed and
positions us to more effectively meet the needs of those we serve. The Plan will also improve UNFPA's
ability to respond to the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of the UN's operational activities
for development.
The UNFPA Strategic Plan 2014-2017, which was formally approved at the Executive Board Second
Regular Session 2013, is focused squarely on addressing the unfinished agenda of Cairo, with a
particular concentration on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
1
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Funds and Funding
In 2014, UNFPA total gross contribution revenue was $1002 million, $477 million in voluntary
contributions from donors to cores resources and $525 million for non-core resources.
Core resources, mostly from governments, form the bedrock of funding for operational activities. They
afford neutrality, promote flexibility and enable UNFPA to respond more effectively to the
development needs of countries. About 98 per cent of contributions for core resources came from 15
donors in 2013.
Non-core resources consist of contributions by governments, foundations, the private sector and
individuals, which are earmarked for specific programmes and initiatives.
For further information, please refer to the following links:
·
·
·
·
UNFPA Strategic Plan 2014-17: http://www.unfpa.org/strategic-direction
Top 20 donors to UNFPA in US$ and programme use of UNFPA
funding: http://www.unfpa.org/funds-and-funding
UNFPA in the UN system: http://www.unfpa.org/unfpa-un-system
UNFPA Executive Leadership: http://www.unfpa.org/about/dr-babatunde-osotimehin
The Post 2015 agenda2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG)
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, together with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for
financing for development, represents a significant moment in the history of development, when the
world has come together to agree on a comprehensive way forward that builds on the lessons learned
from previous efforts to eradicate poverty, ensure individual rights, agency and well-being, gender
equality and women's empowerment equality, while maintaining sustained and inclusive economic
growth and protecting the environment for current and future generations.
Central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the recognition in the Programme of
Action of the International Conference on Population and Development that human beings must be
at the center of sustainable development, with a focus on women, young people and vulnerable
groups, and a framework based on human rights-based for an inclusive, sustainable world.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is integrally tied to the ICPD agenda (International
Conference on Population and Development), especially the conclusions and recommendations of the
ICPD Beyond 2014 review- they reinforce the political legitimacy for the further implementation of
the ICPD Beyond 2014, while their implementation complements the comprehensive actions required
to transform the lives of all people, especially women, girls and young people. UNFPA therefore have
a huge responsibility to support its implementation.
Analyzing the linkages between those complementary outcomes and assisting countries to integrate
these into planning, implementation and monitoring and accountability frameworks, taking into
account the interrelated and comprehensive dimensions of the population and sustainable
development agenda, will be critical to realizing the transformative agenda of the next 15 years.
2
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Sustainable Development Goals
UNFPA is foreseeing a detailed analysis of the intersections between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and its work. Meanwhile, below are preliminary thoughts:
•Goal 3, and its inclusion of universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services, maternal
health, AIDS and more;
•Goal 5, with targets on discrimination against women and girls, gender-based violence, harmful
practices including child, early and forced marriage and FGM, and of course universal access to sexual
and reproductive health and reproductive rights;
•Much more, skills and education related to gender equality and human rights including for older
persons in aspects of Goals 1 and 4, and aspects of Goal 6, youth employment – central to the
demographic dividend – in Goal 8, broadly addressing inequalities and discrimination including for
migrants in Goal 10, inclusive urbanization and sustainable cities in Goal 11 and ensuring participation
and safety from violence in Goal 16 to strong data systems and means of implementation in Goal 17.
Political Declaration
The SDGs alone therefore would be a truly transformative, integrated platform for UNFPA’s work. Yet
the political declaration, just agreed, takes these goals so much further. The declaration is a powerful
statement on human rights that recognizes the centrality of empowering and enabling women and
young people, including for realizing the demographic dividend. It also includes strong focus on data
systems, the use of population data and projections and links to humanitarian and emergency
situations.
This 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will guide their work in support of countries and their
populations for decades to come, by continuing the unfinished agenda of the MDGs while expanding
to a holistic and universal set of goals and approaches that of necessity links the social pillar with the
economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development.
Given the centrality of our mandate to this outcome, it also represents a clarion call for UNFPA to
deliver and deliver better, through integrated approaches, alignment to this new agenda, a revolution
in data and statistical capacity building, and relevant and innovative partnerships to deliver maximally
on the SDGs. To assist UNFPA in aligning to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the
Sustainable Development Goals will be front and centre of their thinking for future work, including
how UNFPA come together with their partners to advance the cause of women and young people in
the countries they serve.
3
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Country Representative, China
Organizational Setting
Under the guidance of the Regional Director, the UNFPA Representative in China has overall
responsibilities for UNFPA representation, policy, programme, finance, staff and office administration
in the country. The assignment is categorized strategically important and one where UNFPA
programme activities are highly visible. The Representative leads and motivates the UNFPA team in
the development of innovative, relevant rights-based and gender sensitive approaches for
engagement on issues related to population and development, sexual and reproductive health, youth
development, and gender equity.
In this function the incumbent is supported by the national staff in the respective country offices. The
Representative leads and motivates the UNFPA teams in the development of innovative, relevant
rights-based approaches for engagement on issues related to population and development, sexual
and reproductive health, youth development, and gender.
Job Purpose
The UNFPA Representative plays the leading role in projecting the priorities and mandate of the
organization at the national and/or area level. Through compelling advocacy and thought leadership,
the Representative effectively positions UNFPA to be the visible centre of excellence engaging in
innovation and culturally sensitive approaches to issues of population and development, sexual and
reproductive health, youth development, and gender equity. Placing the ICPD issues at the centre of
the overall development agenda, the Representative plays a significant part in ensuring a coordinated
and comprehensive engagement across the UN system, with bilateral donors and civil society, with
national counterparts and other partners. The Representative provides leadership for the work of
UNFPA in the country of assignment and is accountable for the UNFPA Country programme and
operations in the country
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Representative activities will include:






Representation and partnership building
Strategic direction, planning and management
Programme leadership, oversight and coordination
South-south collaboration
Resource mobilization
Management of resources, including security of staff, premises and assets
4
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Major Activities/Expected Results
Strategic direction, planning and management










Lead the positioning of UNFPA on strategic and substantive issues in the countries on the basis
of global and regional policies and strategies;
Lead and direct the process of scanning the environment on country level issues and analyzing
the implications for the work of the Fund and the Country Offices;
Lead and direct strategic policy dialogue and advocacy;
Identify and promote UNFPA’s substantive role and specific contribution in the national
development environment and agenda, and in the changing aid environment;
Provide overall vision, direction and management for the work of UNFPA in the countries;
Establish priorities for the work of the Country Offices in line with national development
priorities, the UNFPA mandate and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and
substantive global, regional and country level priorities;
Establish processes to ensure that policies and procedures, programming tools and
mechanisms, and sound business practices are incorporated into UNFPA country operations;
Establish processes to ensure that state-of-the-art knowledge incorporated into the UNFPA
knowledge sharing mechanism is available for use in country operations; and
Direct the process of establishing, building the capacity of and maintaining partnerships,
alliances and networks in the countries under supervision;
Direct the formulation and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy for the
countries, and mobilize, in coordination with Division of Communications and Strategic
Partnerships (DCSP) and the RO, additional financial resources for the countries.
Programme leadership and representation:






Act as the principal adviser on country level issues to the Regional Director and senior
management of UNFPA;
Act as senior advisor for the promotion of the organization’s capacity for effective delivery,
including on the development of regional and global policies, positioning, strategies, and
plans;
Provide leadership in the substantive development and execution of the organization’s
country level policy dialogue and country programmes, assessing and addressing implications
of national trends on UNFPA’s work in the countries;
Direct the process of developing strategies and plans for the implementation of the Country
Programmes, including for the delivery of technical assistance for capacity development and
for humanitarian and emergency situations, and guide the implementation of these strategies
and plans;
Represent UNFPA at the country level and provide its perspective in high level national, UN,
and other initiatives and events;
Act as a leading spokesperson within the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on issues
related to population and development, sexual and reproductive health, youth development
and gender issues in the larger development agenda, promoting effective coordination among
the agencies
5
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential






Advocate and engage in policy dialogue for concerted action by the international community,
the UN and national counterparts on issues related to sexual and reproductive health,
population and development, youth development, and gender equity, human rights and
culture, and create awareness of the critical role of ICPD issues in the overall development
agenda and the achievement of the SDG, including in the development of CCA, UNDAF, UNSF
and other national development frameworks;
Actively promote and support participation of civil society and private sector in the
development process at national and sub-national levels;
Promote South to South collaboration, especially for programme and technical support to
countries in and outside the region, including support to China’s role as a global actor in
population and development issues
Leverage national and international resources and broker high level technical assistance;
Support the Resident Coordinator (RC) system and ensure active participation of the UNFPA
as an active member of the UNCT in the countries under supervision, promoting inter-agency
coordination and consultative processes;
Proactively contribute to and promote UN System-wide Coherence within the country UNCT
context; and
Programme oversight and coordination:







Oversee implementation of the country programmes, ensuring that they reflect country
priorities;
Ensure the application of results-based management and quality assurance frameworks and
procedures for the work of the Country Offices, including in the delivery of technical
assistance;
Ensure the application of financial and substantive monitoring processes, and the evaluation
of the country programmes;
Establish processes for the incorporation of evaluation results in the work of the country
offices;
Promote and support national execution modalities through appropriate UN, sectoral or
direct budget support modalities, based on a risk based approach;
Establish processes to ensure the Country Offices comply with audit recommendations; and
Ensure UNFPA accountability for UNDAF results.
Management of resources:





Assume overall accountability for the management and operations of the Country Offices;
Propose and secure annual allocations for the country programs, and ensure the efficient and
effective use of such resources in compliance with UNFPA financial rules, regulations, and
procedures;
Develop and guide an integrated and systems approach to the work of the Country Office;
Oversee staff accountability, learning and career management within the offices;
Supervise and guide the Deputy Representative of the China CO and other international and
national staff, providing them with managerial direction and motivation;
6
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential






Contribute to the appraisal of RC performance; ensure the RC in the countries are adequately
briefed on UNFPA mandate and organizational strategies and priorities;
Communicate standards of performance, and assign responsibilities for achieving results
according to the Country Office SIS and the PAD system;
Uphold standards for the recruitment and selection of the highest quality of staff for the
Country Offices;
Establish and maintain a harmonious working environment; seek to strengthen team-building
by encouraging active participation and interaction at all levels; foster staff motivation,
development and empowerment; and lead by example;
Guide the establishment and/or maintenance of CO security strategies and plans in line with
UN procedures and requirements;
Ensure an ethics-based approach to management of all human and financial resources and;
Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Regional Director.
Work Relations:

Internal Relations: all units in UNFPA; RO and SRO. The Country Office Representative is the
primary authority and representative on assigned country programme formulation and
delivery. The Representative advocates for the CO programme, including resources, at all
levels at HQ and the Regional Office.

External Relations: Government officials at all levels, UN agencies Representatives, academia,
heads of civil society organizations (national, regional and international), donors, private
sector, HNWIs, etc. External advocacy and representation substantially affects UNFPA’s image
as a reliable, trusted and creative partner.
Required Experience and Qualifications:
Education
 Advanced university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Political science,
Sociology, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public
Administration, and Management, Public health or other related field.
Knowledge and Experience:

15 years of increasingly relevant responsible professional experience in public administration
and international development of which at least 10 years in the field of population and
development at the international level;
7
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential









Job knowledge and technical expertise; up-to-date knowledge of issues of population and
development and the human rights related to these issues, as well as their place in the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development;
Demonstrably strong experience in policy dialogue and advocacy, as well as in the provision
of policy advisory services;
Proven strong political acumen and ability to negotiate and influence;
Proven track record in resource mobilization, partnership building and maintaining
partnership networks;
Previous country experiences working in international development is essential;
Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results;
Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing in English;
Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese would be considered an asset.
Strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population
Fund and in and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
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
Required Skillset:






Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances
and partnerships
Lead and direct strategic policy dialogue and advocacy/negotiating and influencing
Resource Mobilization
Internal and external communication and achieving results
Strategically positioning UNFPA Programme
Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Other Desirable Skills

Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, resilience, sound judgment.
8
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Terms of Appointment
This is a full-time position with the successful candidate being contracted on a one year fixed term
permanent contract with the possibility of renewal. The position is at the D1 level of UN staff grades.
For further information regarding the UN salary scales please refer to the following link:
http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
UNFPA currently offers an attractive entitlement and benefit package that includes cost of living
adjustment, annual, sick and parental leave, an excellent social protection package (medical insurance
and pension plan). This package allows you to be recognized for your contribution through a range of
policies and benefits designed to provide a good financial compensation, promote staff well-being,
and offer a wealth of learning and career development opportunities.
At UNFPA everyone counts, and that applies as much to their staff as to the people in the communities
they serve. UNFPA believe that in addition to an exciting professional challenge in a truly international
environment and a generous financial compensation package, UNFPA staff deserve their support in
enhancing their quality of life and enjoying a healthy work life balance. - See more at:
http://www.unfpa.org/resources/rewards-package#sthash.b9DMZlwz.dpuf
9
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Location: Beijing, China
Beijing, formerly Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous
cities in the world. Its population in 2013 was 21,150,000. The city proper is the 13th largest in the
world. The metropolis, located in northern China, is governed as a direct-controlled
municipality under the national government with 16 urban, suburban, and rural districts.
The climate of Beijing is a slightly dry, monsoon-influenced humid continental climate, characterized
by hot, humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and generally cold, windy, dry winters that
reflect the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone. Spring can bear witness to sandstorms blowing
in from the Gobi Desert across the Mongolian steppe, accompanied by rapidly warming, but generally
dry, conditions. Autumn, like spring, sees little rain, but is crisp and short.
People native to urban Beijing speak the Beijing dialect, which belongs to the Mandarin subdivision
of spoken Chinese. This speech is the basis for putonghua, the standard spoken language used in
mainland China and Taiwan, and one of the four official languages of Singapore.
Wikipedia. Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing
10
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
Key Steps in the Selection Process
1. If you wish to be considered for this position, please forward a copy of your CV and a supporting
letter in Microsoft Word format, along with any relevant documentation to [email protected] on or before 14th March 2016 5pm GMT+1. All information will be in the strictest
confidence as we pride ourselves on our professional service. We will revert to you as soon as
feasible when we have reviewed your application.
2. During the recruitment process, SRI Executive Search will require your cooperation in completing
a Competency Profile. You will also be required to participate in a number of telephone or
Skype conversations with the team to ensure there is a clear understanding of the Terms of
Reference and also an appropriate “fit” for you and UNFPA.
3. We will require that you provide us with full details of four people who are willing to act as a
referee. We will not contact these referees without your express permission. Please note that
reference checks maybe conducted prior to your face-to-face interviews.
4. Once we have the details of all those interested in going forward for this role, we will evaluate
all applicants against the requirements of the role as outlined above. SRI will conduct a number
of interviews with interested parties.
5. Should both the parties wish to proceed an interview with the Selection Committee will take
place. The face-to-face interview with the committee may take place in New York, USA. Please
note a meeting with SRI Representatives may be required prior to this. You may be asked the
terms and conditions that you would require for an offer to be acceptable to you.
6. After you meet with the Selection Committee, we will advise you of the Committee’s decision as
soon as possible. Should you be the successful candidate, our client will extend a formal written
offer of employment to you.
11
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential
- Dublin
40 Grand Canal St. Upper
Dublin 4
Ireland
12
UNFPA| Country Representative, China |Executive Brief |Confidential