Please note that these vacancies are open only to nationals of Afghanistan.

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 Programme Associate position is located in the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office and will be based in the respective Area Office (Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad or Kandahar). The Programme Associate will play a key role in supporting the planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNFPA’s assigned programmatic portfolio in Afghanistan to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of UNFPA interventions at respective sub-national levels. Working closely with the UNFPA team and relevant partners, the Programme Associate will contribute to the advancement of UNFPA's objectives related to the Unit’s portfolio.

The Programme Associate works under the direct supervision of the Area Coordinator and collaborates with the Country Office Programme and Operations teams to ensure timely and compliant programme delivery.

The positions in Herat, Jalalabad and Kandahar will report to the Area Coordinator in the respective office. The position located in Kabul will report to the Humanitarian Coordinator in the Country Office.

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:

The Programme Associate plays a crucial role in implementing established systems and procedures, contributing to the generation of substantive knowledge by compiling, synthesizing, and analyzing relevant information. The Programme Associate supports the facilitation of effective and compliant implementation of UNFPA program and project implementation. This involves utilizing and developing appropriate mechanisms and systems while ensuring adherence to established procedures. The incumbent ensures the application of established procedures and contributes to timely delivery of results in line with UNFPA rules, regulations and operational policies.

The role requires maintaining collaborative relationships with all program and project staff at the respective Area office. The Programme Associate is essential to fostering effective communication and coordination within the country office, contributing to the achievement of UNFPA's strategic objectives. 

You would be responsible for: 

Programme Implementation Support

• Participate in the formulation of the country programme and component projects, by assisting in the gathering of the information relevant to the UNFPA’s programme assistance role in Afghanistan, drafting project documents and work plans and preparing tables and statistical data. 
• Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of respective programs and initiatives in alignment with UNFPA's strategic goals 
• Collaborate with NGOs and other stakeholders to facilitate the integration of Humanitarian and Basic Human Needs (BHN) principles and priorities into program design and implementation through regular coordination mechanisms. 
• Support the coordination of advocacy campaigns and community outreach activities under the respective portfolio. 
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data related to the respective portfolio and the needs to inform program decision-making. 
• Assist in the preparation of reports, presentations, and other communication materials related to UNFPA’s programs for internal and external stakeholders.

Financial Monitoring and Budget Support

• Assists in the preparation and analysis of programme/project budget proposals; provides assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; reviews and coordinates submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; prepares reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized.
• Assists in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data related to programmes/projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in the corporate budget system; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures.
• Collaborates with programme/project managers on the assigned portfolio performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services and various planning instruments such as the medium-term plan and internal work plans; provides assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted.
• Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares the assigned Unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.

Implementing Partner (IP) Management Support

• Assist in the review of implementing partner agreements, financial reports and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with the Operations Unit to ensure compliance and quality assurance of the assigned portfolio and its Implementing Partners as well as related activities as mandated by HQ and the office management.
• Maintain records of partner agreements, advances, disbursements and liquidations.
• Coordinate communication between implementing partners and the office to ensure timely resolution of documentation and compliance matters.
• Support capacity-building activities for Implementing Partners related to programme management, as required.

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

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:

Completed Secondary Level Education required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 6 years of relevant experience in programme/ project management are required. 
• Relevant experience in administration, finance and project management is required.
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems is required. 
• Experience with UNFPA systems and inter-UN coordination is desired.

Languages: 

Fluency in English and local language Dari and/or Pashto is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.

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

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.