Programme Management and Oversight Specialist

The Position:

The Programme Management and Oversight Specialist drives the effective management of WCARO and Country Office resources through prudent budget planning, continuous preventative oversight, and rigorous compliance. Beyond standard quality assurance, the specialist acts as a strategic navigator for the region, employing horizon scanning and future thinking to anticipate emerging trends, mitigate potential disruptions, and build resilient, adaptive programming. S/he plays a pivotal role in ensuring that WCARO’s programmes are not only transparent and accountable but also forward-looking and aligned with the complex demands of the evolving development landscape.

S/he contributes to the planning and implementation of thematic and other evaluation activities, providing enhanced integrated support framework to COs. S/he coordinates WCARO’s responsiveness, monitors programme performance, and oversees the integrity of the annual audits processes, ensuring continuous follow-up and timely implementation of the audit recommendations in close coordination with concerned units and COsactions

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

The Programme Management and Oversight Specialist provides quality assurance to programmes and CO performance under the purview of WCARO; produces management information analysis to guide new policies, programmatic interventions, and/or any remedial actions required. S/he ensures that COos are provided with rapid and effective Quantum and Quantum+ support services in the programming process to ensure that country programmes are aligned with the national development plan, UNFPA Strategic Plan, ICPD PoA, UNSDCF, UN80 to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and the implementation of the CPD are aligned implemented in the context of the ICPD Programme of Action and UNFPA Strategic Plan, national development processes, and the process of UN80 reform and in line with UNFPA policies and procedures.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

The Programme Management and Oversight Specialist works in collaboration within the Regional Office units and reports directly to the Deputy Regional Director as the Head of Programmes of the Regional Office.

Key Results Expected of the Specialist:

• Enhanced programme performance resilience through effective monitoring, foresight, driven oversight and accountability frameworks
• Timely and strategic preparation of WCARO AWPs and OMPs ensuring they take into account emerging regional trends
• Strengthened CO capacity through timely Quantum/Quantum+ support, providing leadership and technical guidance to formulate innovative, future-ready programme strategies and projects
• Proactive monitoring and evaluation impact with mid-term and final programme evaluation and audit plans and stress test programme strategies against potential future disruptions and systemic risks.

Primary Activities of the Specialist:

• Proactive monitoring of resources, programme performance and results, and external dynamics affecting COs and Regional Programmes, identifying early warning signs, systemic risks, and strategic opportunities to trigger timely adaptive responses.
• Strategic programme development and management support to WCARO, with a core focus on embedding futures thinking, horizon scanning, and resilience-building methodologies into programme design and implementation.
• Provision of technical inputs to the planning, coordination, monitoring of annual evaluation exercise and audits in WCARO region, ensuring that all assessment frameworks integrate foresight-driven analysis to stress-test programme strategies against potential future disruptions and systemic risks.

You would be responsible for:

1. Monitoring and Oversight of WCARO Resources and Programme Performance in the Region:
   • Ensure coherence of regional and country programmes with corporate strategic plans, regional priorities, National Development Plans, CPD, and UNSDCF.
   • Collaborate with UNDCO Africa to ensure UNFPA mandates are fully mainstreamed into the Country Analysis (CA) and UNSDCF.
   • Align WCARO resource planning and allocations with regional priorities and annual workplans to optimize impact.
   • Undertake continuous environmental scanning of the programming and implementation landscape to identify early warning signs, systemic risks, and strategic opportunities.
   • Lead the integration of futures thinking into country programme development, facilitating scenario-based planning and stress-testing of programme strategies against plausible future trends to ensure resilience and adaptability.
   • Champion foresight literacy within WCARO by providing technical guidance and training to Country Office staff on horizon scanning methodologies, enabling them to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities in their respective programme contexts.
   • Develop/maintain a comprehensive Programme Database Management Information System and produce regular updated Country Profiles.
   • Systematize collection of information and results from the implementation of regional and country programmes, including annual situation assessments.
   • Document and maintain the socio-demographic and health indicators for WCARO region, including indicators related to the ICPD and SDG.
   • Monitor the implementation of the programme management and annual work plans and producing regular management information reports on implementation status and, including delivery.
   • Assist in developing procedures to strengthen internal controls and address programme weaknesses.
   • Troubleshoot and resolve all PMIS-related issues identified.
   • Organize and facilitate all WCARO capacity building activities regarding PMIS and adaptive management tools.
   • Promote partnerships with regional and country level programme implementers to exchange experience, harmonize methodologies and scale effective systems.
   • Carry out any other assignments as required.
2. Programme Development and Management Support to WCARO Country Offices
   • Support WCARO Management in overseeing the substantive quality of Country Programme Documents ensuring they are designed with adaptative results-based, and foresight-informed methodologies. Coordinate the preparation of a coherent WCARO development assistance strategy and integrated plan of action.
   • Provide expert, evidence-based technical inputs to support the development of CO programming processes, ensuring long-term institutional goals are balanced with responsive, short-term actions.
   • Coordinate the development of a robust data collection strategy that documents performance indicators and tracks emerging trends, enabling real-time analysis of programme effectiveness and shifts in the regional context.
   • Prepare and coordinate WCARO AWPs and OMPs in close coordination with regional units, ensuring alignment with adaptive regional priorities.
   • Manage overall WCARO resources, ensuring effective utilization and strategic prioritization that remains flexible enough to address shifting regional dynamics. Monitor corporate dashboards to identify potential bottlenecks early and execute corrective actions.
   • Initiate and lead evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue with regional authorities and institutions. Leverage foresight insights to advance UNFPA’s policy-oriented agenda, specifically regarding the ICPD, SDGs, and future-proofing regional development.
   • Initiate and lead evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue with regional authorities and institutions. Leverage foresight insights to advance UNFPA’s policy-oriented agenda, specifically regarding the ICPD, SDGs, and future-proofing regional development.
   • Maintain continuous monitoring and analysis of the substantive, administrative and financial aspects of regional programmes, identifying opportunities to scale effective systems and adapt to unforeseen challenges.
   • Documentation of best practices and approaches to deepen the UNFPA on scaling resilient, adaptive methodologies for both internal and external dissemination.
3. Support to Annual Evaluation Exercise in WCARO Region

• Support M&E to the smooth and timely preparation of the annual evaluation plans, and sound advice to WCARO Management on the programme of work, including the inclusion of foresight dimensions in annual evaluation plans, ensuring that evaluations assess not only past performance but also the robustness of programmes against potential future disruptions or shocks Setting of minimum monitoring and evaluation requirements for all Country Programme and projects.
• Management of the evaluation process, including preparation of the Terms of Reference (TOR)for evaluation consultants, participation in the selection of evaluation teams, and provision of technical feedback on evaluations and budget oversight.
• Guidance on UNFPA evaluation policies, procedures and practices to programme managers, CO staff concerned with evaluation, consultants and/or members of evaluation teams.

4. Support to Annual Audits Exercise in WCARO Region

• Collaborate and monitor with the operations team and follow-up of the preparation and implementation of the annual audit plans in the WCARO region ensuring that audits are timely and aligned with regional programmes and projects.
• Closely monitor CO implementation of audit recommendations through Team Central, providing proactive support services to address systemic weaknesses and ensure sustainable follow-up.
• Liaise with and provide direct technical support to IPs to ensure their readiness and compliance for audits, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
• Maintain close engagement with concerned HQ units and regional stakeholders, ensuring that audit findings are not just noted but used as strategic inputs to strengthen internal controls and future-proof programme delivery.

5. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Regional office management.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in public health, medicine, sociology, demography, gender, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Seven years (7) of increasingly responsible professional experience in developmental work, of which five years must be at international level.
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in population, sexual and reproductive health, and gender programming.
• Demonstrated experience in applying strategic foresight, horizon scanning, or systems analysis to complex development issues; familiarity with participatory foresight methodologies and their application in programme design.
• Strong communications and writing skills in English and French.
• Field experience is required.
• Excellent knowledge of issues pertaining to multi-donors funding, related reporting systems, especially within the context of large fiduciary funds administered by the United Nations system.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in using digital tools for data visualisation, trend analysis and management information systems (Word, Excel, Quantum/Quantum+, and PowerPoint).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks effectively without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.
• Cultural sensitivity, inter-personal skills and ability to work smoothly under pressure.

Languages:

Fluency in English and French is required to enable effective communication with English speaking and French speaking country coordination groups and local organisations (West and Central Africa region).

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,

Functional Competencies:

• AdvocacyAdvancing a policy-oriented Agenda.
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships.
• Delivering results-based programme;
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.
• Strengthening the program capacity of Country offices
• Strategically Positioning UNFPA Programmes.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.