Program Assistant, Humanitarian Preparedness and Response

Our Mandate

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN's reproductive health agency dealing with population issues and it is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead a healthy sexual and reproductive life. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood; and seeks the realization of rights and opportunities for young people.

UNFPA is present in more than 150 countries, improving people's lives as a catalyst for action and advocacy of their issues. Acting through alliances and partnerships with governments, other UN agencies, civil society and the private sector, UNFPA makes a positive difference for billions of people, especially those most in need.

UNFPA also helps countries use population data to anticipate future challenges; offers technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners; supports policy formulation and national capacity-building, ensuring that reproductive health and the rights of women and young people remain central issues in the development agenda.

UNFPA is making progress - fewer women are dying during childbirth, more unwanted pregnancies are being avoided, and younger women are having their opportunities expanded. But it is necessary to expand these efforts so that we can reach a healthy and fair world.

UNFPA - Creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Mozambique has been facing a worsening humanitarian situation due to a combination of factors, including recurrent climatic shocks, insecurity, and violence in the northern region. These challenges have led to significant displacement, disruptions in livelihoods, and limited access to essential services, including sexual and reproductive and maternal healthcare.

The IUNV (Program Assistant) will support UNFPA Mozambique in responding to humanitarian emergencies, mitigating immediate risks, and enhancing preparedness for future disasters. Working in one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, the Program Assistant will provide programmatic and administrative support for the development and implementation of UNFPA’s Humanitarian Programme. S/he will play a key role in supporting humanitarian project implementation by utilizing appropriate mechanisms and systems while ensuring compliance with established rules, policies, and procedures. S/he will collaborate closely with the humanitarian team in Maputo and field offices, Technical Specialists, and the Operations Unit in the Country Office, contributing to the effective implementation of UNFPA’s humanitarian response in Mozambique.

Under the overall guidance of the Representative and Deputy Resident Representative, the Program Assistant will be part of the humanitarian preparedness and response team in the Country Office. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Program Analyst for Humanitarian Preparedness and Response, based in Maputo.

Under the day-to-day guidance of Program Analyst for Humanitarian Preparedness and Response, the IUNV will undertake the following responsibilities:

Program development and implementation
Contribute to the development of project proposals or concept notes for new humanitarian programs.
Assist in organizing and maintaining records of donor agreements, project timelines, and milestones.
Support monitoring the implementation of specific program activities and ensure that timelines and objectives are met.
Assist in maintaining an organized filing system for humanitarian program documents and reports.
Assist in compiling a list of lessons learned and best practices from ongoing programs to help inform programming, communications, and advocacy work.

2. Emergency Preparedness and Response
Assist in the annual review of the UNFPA Minimum Preparedness Action Plan (MPA) and support its implementation monitoring while documenting lessons learned.
Assist in organizing and preparing for needs assessments in target areas.
Accompany senior humanitarian staff on field visits to support site assessments and program monitoring, and prepare reports or situational updates.
Support humanitarian commodity stock mapping and prepositioning in provinces prone to cyclones and floods.
Perform any other task related to emergency preparedness, planning, and response as requested by the head of the unit.

3. Monitoring and reporting

Support the analysis of data to identify trends in needs, vulnerabilities, and response gaps.
Compile reports on program progress, challenges, and good practices.
Assist in preparing country office updates, including humanitarian situation reports for donors and partners.

4. General Administrative and Operational Support

Assist with general administrative duties, including fund allocation in the RRP, review e-FACES, and organize meetings and logistics of events.
Assist in initiating procurement requests for emergency commodities, following up on the procurement process, delivery of items, and distribution, ensuring compliance with UNFPA procurement procedures.