Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position:

The Nexus Coordination Specialist (P-4) provides strategic leadership and technical expertise to advance the Humanitarian– Basic Human Needs–Peace (HBP) Nexus within the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office. The incumbent supports integrated, risk-informed, conflict-sensitive and resilience-focused programming across humanitarian response and basic human needs programming, in alignment with the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029.

The position supports the delivery of UNFPA’s Three Transformative Results:

• End preventable maternal deaths
• End unmet need for family planning
• End gender-based violence and harmful practices

In Afghanistan’s context, achieving these results requires critical analysis and strategic inputs through the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Deputy Respective into the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the UN Sustainable Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) to position UNFPA. This will be bridging life-saving humanitarian services with sustained provision of essential services addressing basic human needs, while strengthening community resilience and locally driven solutions.

The position reports directly to the Deputy 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 who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and 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:

To provide strategic leadership, coordination and technical guidance for the integration of humanitarian, basic human needs and peace-responsive programming across UNFPA Afghanistan’s portfolio, strengthening resilience, risk reduction, continuity of essential services, and gender equality outcomes in fragile and crisis-affected settings..

You would be responsible for:

Strategic Nexus Leadership and Integration

• Lead the operationalization of the Humanitarian–Basic Human Needs–Peace (HBP) Nexus across UNFPA programming.
• Ensure coherence between humanitarian response and basic human needs, in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029.
• Promote risk-informed, conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches across programme design and implementation.
• Promote community based engagement , localization and innovation through co-creation approaches to strengthen sustainability and continuity of essential services within SRHR, GBV and youth programming.

Programme Coordination and Policy Engagement

• Serve as UNFPA Afghanistan focal point for nexus coordination and assist UNFPA leadership to inform UNCT, HCT, clusters and relevant technical working groups as required.
• Coordinate with respective units in Kabul and Field Area offices for both humanitarian and Basic Human Needs programme for ensuring coherence and strengthening integrated programme approach in planning and implementation. 
• Contribute to anticipatory action planning and preparedness frameworks.
• Advocate for integration of SRHR, GBV prevention and response, youth empowerment and population data into overall programming including for humanitarian and recovery planning.
• Support conflict-sensitive analysis and policy dialogue.

Programme Development and Quality Assurance

• Lead coordination and provide technical oversight for nexus programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop multi-year nexus strategies and integrated programme frameworks.
• Ensure accountability to affected populations (AAP) and meaningful participation of women, girls and youth.
• Strengthen results-based management and evidence-informed programming.
• Monitor and report on nexus-related outcomes aligned with Strategic Plan indicators.

Resource Mobilization and Sustainable Financing

• Support development of multi-year, flexible and nexus-focused funding proposals.
• Engage with donors when required to promote sustainable financing models for resilience and systems strengthening.
• Contribute to joint UN initiatives and inter-agency programming frameworks.
• Develop partnerships with international and national NGOs, UN agencies and community-based organizations.

Knowledge Management and Capacity Development

• Document and disseminate good practices on nexus implementation in fragile settings.
• Build staff and partner capacity on Nexus principles, conflict sensitivity and risk-informed programming.
• Contribute to regional and global knowledge exchange.
• Produce analytical briefs, strategic reports and policy inputs.

Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor or designated authority.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:  

Advanced university degree in international development, humanitarian affairs, peace and conflict studies, public health, public policy, gender studies, international relations or related field is required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, development and/or peace programming are required.
• Demonstrated experience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts is required. 
• Proven expertise in nexus programming, resilience-building and risk-informed approaches is required.
• Experience in humanitarian coordination mechanisms and UN inter-agency processes is required. 
• Strong understanding of gender equality, SRHR and GBV programming is required 
• Experience in multi-year programme design and donor engagement is required.
• Prior experience in Afghanistan or similar context is highly desirable.
• Experience within the UN system is an asset.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is 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
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

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.