Program Analyst (Culture and Human Rights), Accra

Description of assignment title

Program Analyst (Culture and Human Rights)

General

Assignment country

Ghana

Duty stations

Accra

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/12/2026

Duration

13 months
(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

10. Reduced inequalities

Host entity

UNFPA

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNFPAs mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The agency works to achieve three transformative goals which are: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Context

Ghana is fully committed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building 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. The Program Analyst, Culture and Human Rights provides programme and operational support to ensure the integration of human rights-based and culturally sensitive approaches into UNFPA programs. The incumbent will support program implementation, partner coordination, and advocacy initiatives aligned with UNFPA’s strategic priorities to protect human rights and eliminate gender-based inequities. He/she will also support targeted interventions focused on understanding family planning, maternal health, and child marriage from a cultural perspective to work more effectively towards youth empowerment, body autonomy, and rights realization. The Program Analyst, Culture and Human Rights will also provide guidance on maintaining collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies and civil society to address emerging issues and to facilitate programme delivery. He/she must effectively influence counterparts and work with networks, including civil society, to advance the ICPD agenda, through partnerships and national capacity strengthening, as well as other approaches such as south-south cooperation.

Task description

Under overall supervision of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide programmatic and technical support:
   
   • Support research and analysis on human rights issues and contribute inputs to relevant programme, policy and reporting documents. Support engagement with government and national stakeholders and contribute to capacity-building activities related to human rights and the ICPD agenda.
2. Partnership & Advocacy:
   
   • Engage with national partners, civil society organizations, and human rights bodies to promote culturally sensitive approaches to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
   • Contributes to policy advocacy to empower young people and protect their fundamental human rights.
3. Integrate human rights and cultural perspectives into UNFPA programmes in Ghana
   
   • Support the Programme Team in developing approaches to strengthen national capacities for the promotion and protection of human rights.
   • Support the design, coordination, implementation and monitoring of programmes that advance human rights, gender equality and culturally sensitive approaches.
   • Contribute to rights-based interventions for young people, including initiatives related to family planning, maternal health and child marriage, taking into account cultural contexts and relevant human rights standards.
4. Capacity Building & Knowledge Management
   
   • Support the development of policy briefs, training materials, and reporting mechanisms to strengthen organizational and partner capacity.

Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor in consultation with management.

WORKPLAN

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Donor priorities

This assignment is funded by the Government of Norway and therefore specific criteria apply:

• Applicants must be Norwegian nationals.
• Applicants who already served on a UN Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of Norway are not eligible.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

25 October 2026 (23:59 UTC)

SELECTION

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by UN Host Entities in November.
• UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria

.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

1 year

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master's degree in law, human rights, international relations, gender studies or related field. A bachelor’s degree may be considered in lieu of the standard educational requirement for candidates with three years of relevant experience.

Competencies and values

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 results mobilisation

Managerial Competencies:

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

Skills and experience

Minimum one year of relevant experience (three years of relevant experience required for candidates holding a bachelor's degree):

• Experience in SRH, national/international human rights law. international humanitarian law, or international criminal law.
• Experience working on human rights obligations and responsibilities of parties related to sexuality education and key populations
• Demonstrated experience working with adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR) frameworks and human rights-based programming.
• Experience in working with government institutions, NGOs, Private sector, and/or donor institutions.
• Conversant with policies on human rights, reproductive health and other population issues and their linkages with changing global environment;
• Good knowledge of the programme development mechanism of the United Nations country programmes and familiarity with UNFPA programmes and policies.
• Knowledgeable of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ICPD Programme of Action, with a good understanding of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion dimensions for integration in policy and programming efforts.

Skills in:

• Excellent writing skills and ability to make compelling oral presentations and produce high quality analytical documents and proposals.
• The ability to work effectively in a multicultural work environment and a good team player;
• Experience using Microsoft Office software packages, Cloud applications, like Google Suite, and web-based ERP management systems

Area(s) of expertise

Legal affairs, Human rights, Community development

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Duty Station & Living Conditions: The incumbent will reside in the capital city, Accra. Ghana is currently classified as hardship category B, indicating high standards for transport, medical, education, and other services relative to the region. It is a family duty station, and the local time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Climate: At sea level, the climate of the country is tropical--hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 27oC (80oF) and little daily variation. At the interior's higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is 20oC (68oF), and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 500 centimetres (200 in.) on the southwestern slopes to 100 centimetres (40 in.) in the northern lowlands. The rainy season runs from October to May.

Accommodation & Cost of Living: Houses and apartments can be rented from $800 to $1500 per month and meals at the restaurant cost between $10 and $40. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. Markets within the capital includes Mokola, Kaneshie, Agbogbloshi etc

Currency & Banking: The local currency is the Ghana Cedi (GHS). As of September 2026, the UN exchange rate is GHS11.45 to USD1. Commercial banks operate throughout the country; Visa cards are also accepted in several hotels, supermarkets and other establishments.

Visa Requirements: An entry visa is required for all travellers and must be obtained prior to arrival from the nearest Ghanaian embassy to your country if there is none from the country of travel.

Conditions of Service

The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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