JOB PURPOSE:
The Deputy Regional Director has primary responsibility for the following key objectives, which impact on all technical and programme operations across the Region of assignment:
- Advisory and strategic support to the Regional Director and Regional Office
- Leadership of and guidance to the technical and programme team
- Oversight of the management of the regional programme
- Representation and Liaison
The Deputy Regional Director is a member of the Regional Director and Deputy Directors Team as well as of the Regional Management Team. S/He leads the RO in the absence of the Regional Director.
MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Leadership –Support the Regional Director in the management of the RO, in close collaboration with the International Operations Manager; Provide leadership to the RO in the absence of the Regional Director:
- Contribute a regional perspective to the formulation of UNFPA policies, strategic plans and strategies in close collaboration with the relevant Strategic, Programmatic and Management Committees and in consultation with the Regional Desk Specialist;
- In coordination with the Regional Director, provide strategic guidance to the RO and COs programme and technical teams to ensure the achievement of strategic plans and programme goals; promote the development of region-specific strategies; ensures synergies between regional programme and country level activities;
- Ensure the preparation and clearance if needed of various reports and documents (e.g., annual and progress reports, sitreps, briefing notes for senior management, reports to the Executive Board etc.) by responsible managers / advisers;
- Coordinate review and analysis of Country Office Annual Reports (COARs) and identify critical issues for follow up; and
- Provide leadership to regional programmes and operations in the absence of the Director.
B. Operational – Oversees the management of the regional programme, ensures the coherence of all programme activities in the Region with corporate priorities and ensures the integration of results based management in programme activities:
- Provide direction and support to regional technical and programme staff in guiding and overseeing the country (e.g., Common Country Assessment (CCA)/Cooperation Frameworks and Joint Programming) and regional programming processes in all phases to ensure coherence with organizational/national/regional priorities and development frameworks as well as consistency with principles of results based management and achievement of corporate results;
- Enhance the integration of technical and programme support to promote seamless, effective aid assistance within the region;
- Provide direction and support to regional programme staff in guiding and supporting COs on programme management ensuring proper application of UNFPA policies and procedures;
- Oversee management of programme resources and advise the Regional Director on allocation of resources; monitor and periodically brief the Regional Director on status of programme implementation; undertake field monitoring visits;
- Support management of UNFPA preparedness and response to humanitarian crises in the region in consultation with the Humanitarian Response Division; and
- Support resource mobilization efforts.
C. Management of Resources: Provides leadership and guidance to the technical and programme team, and, with their support, ensures integrated, adequate, quality and timely support to the COs:
- Support the Regional Director in all aspects of programme formulation, budget, finance and staff management;
- Collaborate with the Operations Manager and relevant committees to consolidate/coordinate the preparation of Regional Annual Office Management Plan (OMP); Coordinate and manage regional output;
- Promote a team-based, harmonious working environment that recognizes initiative, openness and performance;
- Supervise technical and programme staff, providing necessary coaching and quality assurance;
- Promote effective information/knowledge sharing across the region; and promote opportunities for collaboration as well as staff development at all levels;
- In coordination with International Operations Manager, liaise with COs to ensure that Management Audit recommendations are addressed;
- Support the Regional Director in assessment of Resident Coordinator performance and in briefing them on UNFPA; collaborate with DHR/Division Director in obtaining information on the suitability of RC candidates;
- Provide input to the performance appraisals of UNFPA Representatives and Heads of Offices;
- Liaise closely with DHR, the Regional Director and the Operations Manager to ensure that staff management issues are adequately addressed, and are in line with the vision of the HR Strategy and UNFPA policies and procedures; and
- Ensure an ethics-based approach to management of all human and financial resources.
D. Representation – In close coordination with the Director, ensures the Region is represented as one voice:
- Liaise with HQ, primarily with the Regional Desk Specialist and relevant Divisions;
- Serve as a member of the Deputy Regional Director teams and as alternate member in the Executive Committee;
- Represent the Region/participate in various inter-agency and inter-divisional forums; is member of UNFPA standing committees. Represent the Regional Director in key meetings in their absence;
- In coordination with the Regional Director, advocate for new programme initiatives and conduct resource mobilization efforts;
- In coordination with the Regional Director, maintain contacts with key stakeholders including government partners from programme countries, donors, international organizations, UN Missions; and
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Regional Director.