Programme Specialist, Lome

The Position:

The Programme Specialist P3 will be based in Lomé, Togo, and will report directly to the Representative. The Specialist will work closely with programme and operations teams within the UNFPA Togo Country Office, while also engaging with national authorities, development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, civil society organizations and other UN agencies.

The position will play a key role in supporting the management through programme actions coordination, and supporting the Representative in mobilizing resources, and ensuring that high-quality reports are delivered on time across the Country Programme. Particular attention will be given to the Luxambourg project and other sensitive CO projects including RHCS. It will report directly to the Resident Representative.

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 UNFPA Togo Country Office is implementing its Eighth Country Programme, which runs until December 2027, while preparing for the Ninth Country Programme, beginning in January 2028. This transition is taking place in a changing humanitarian environment, particularly in the Savanes Region, and at a time when competition for development resources is increasing.

Securing and effectively managing multi-year funding will therefore be critical. Effective management of CO funding will require strong donor engagement, clear communication, rigorous compliance, quality reporting and continuous strengthening of the capacities of the Country Office team.

The Programme Specialist will lead the Country Office’s work on Projects coordination, ensuring good reports preparations and advising the Representative on any project shortfalls. The position will also contribute to supporting the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and expanding UNFPA’s funding.

You would be responsible for:

A. Programme Coordination and Resource Mobilization and Financing

Under the guidance of the UNFPA Representative or delegated supervisor, the incumbent will:

• Coordinate inputs for the implementation and regular updating of the Country Office resource mobilization strategy and annual action plans.
• Support the management in tracking :
  • Potential donors and funding mechanisms.
  • Emerging funding opportunities.
  • Funding gaps related to programme priorities.
  • Opportunities for co-financing and joint programming.
  • Innovative financing mechanisms.
  • Opportunities with non-traditional partners.
• Support the CO team in Consolidation and draft of concept notes, funding proposals, expressions of interest, and funding applications under technical guidance.
• Coordinate inputs from Programme and Operations Officers to ensure proposals are technically sound, results-oriented, coherent, evidence-based, and compliant with donor requirements.
• Prepare background materials, briefing notes, talking points, presentations, analyses, and donor profiles to support the Representative and senior management in donor engagements.
• Analyze and track opportunities for mobilizing domestic resources, development financing (RHCS), joint UN programmes, and partnerships, Humanitarian response
• Maintain operational liaison with the UNFPA Regional Office, Headquarters, and relevant corporate units regarding funding opportunities and reporting guidelines.

B. Strategic Partnerships and Donor Relations

Under guidance, the incumbent will:

• Support the maintenance of professional working relationships with government technical counterparts, bilateral and multilateral partners, UN entities, international financial institutions, civil society, foundations, private sector actors, and academic institutions.
• Prepare technical background documents to support the Representative in positioning UNFPA as a partner of choice in sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, population dynamics, and youth development.
• Provide technical inputs and draft content for joint UN programmes and joint resource mobilization initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of partnership commitments, opportunities, and follow-up actions.

C. Donor Reporting and Results-Based Reporting

The incumbent will coordinate and facilitate the operational performance of the Country Office reporting function, including:

• Establishing and managing a centralized calendar and tracking mechanism for donor reports.
• Initiating, tracking, and consolidating inputs to ensure the timely preparation, quality assurance, and submission of donor reports.
• Coordinating inputs from Programme, M&E, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure consistency between technical achievements, narrative descriptions, and financial data.
• Gathering and documenting lessons learned, best practices, case studies, and programme results for resource mobilization and advocacy tools.
• Assisting Programme teams with analytical writing, reporting templates, and donor-specific compliance requirements.

D. STRATEGIC POSITIONING, ADVOCACY AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS fhJMiYf DGI2Uj

Under the direction of senior management, the incumbent will:

• Monitor and summarize political, economic, social, and development trends affecting UNFPA's mandate and funding environment in Togo.
• Coordinate the Preparation of analytical notes on opportunities, risks, and trends to assist management in strategic decision-making.
• Support UNFPA's participation in technical working groups, national forums, and coordination mechanisms by preparing background documents.
• Contribute technical content to advocacy and communication materials highlighting UNFPA's contributions to national priorities and the SDGs.

E. PROGRAMME PLANNING, COORDINATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

The incumbent will:

• Work closely with Programme teams to identify sub-programme priorities requiring funding and partnership support.
• Provide technical inputs to programme reviews, planning exercises, and internal coordination meetings.
• Draft and update internal tools, templates, and guidance materials to improve reporting efficiency and proposal quality.
• Act as CO focal point for Humanitarian response funds mobilization and management.

Key Outcomes:

1. Increased & Diversified Funding Portfolio

• Outcome: Mobilization of new financial resources and successful diversification of funding streams beyond traditional sources.
• Impact: Secures long-term financial sustainability for the Country Office and helps scale up both regular and humanitarian programming (particularly in response to the crisis in the Savanes Region).

2. High-Quality Donor Reporting & Full Project Compliance

• Outcome: Timely delivery of accurate, high-impact, results-based progress reports across all donor projects, with direct management of the EUR 7.5 million Luxembourg portfolio.
• Impact: Builds institutional credibility, protects donor trust, and ensures strict adherence to donor agreements over the multi-year implementation period.

3. Strengthened Strategic Partnerships & Institutional Capacity

• Outcome: Enhanced strategic positioning of UNFPA in Togo, established co-financing partnerships, and upgraded internal capacity of staff and partners in proposal writing and donor management.
• Impact: Position UNFPA as a partner of choice in Togolese health and development initiatives, preparing the Country Office for a smooth transition into its Ninth Country Programme (2028–2032).

Qualifications and Experience:

• The successful candidate should have a master’s degree in international development, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications or another relevant field.
• The candidate should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in projects management, resource mobilization, donor relations, strategic partnerships and donor reporting in an international development environment.
• The candidate should have experience in developing funding strategies and mobilizing resources from major bilateral and multilateral donors or foundations is essential. The candidate should also have demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios and preparing complex narrative and results-based reports.
• The candidate should have a good understanding of the humanitarian-development nexus, particularly in West Africa or comparable contexts, is highly desirable. Previous experience within the UN system would be an advantage, as would field experience in West or Central Africa

Education:

• Master’s degree in international development, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications or another relevant field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least five years (5) of progressively responsible professional experience in resource mobilization, donor relations, strategic partnerships and donor reporting in an international development environment.
• Experience in developing funding strategies and mobilizing resources from major bilateral and multilateral donors or foundations is essential.
• The candidate should have a demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios and preparing complex narrative and results-based reports.

Languages:

• Fluency in French is required. Strong working knowledge of English is highly desirable.

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,

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• The ability to provide strategic direction
• Engage effectively with partners and stakeholders
• Develop and empower colleagues
• Promote a culture of performance, and make sound decisions

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.