Sexual and Reproductive Health Adviser

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Adviser reports to the Chief of the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Branch of the Technical Division, who provides overall direction and guidance. While the adviser is part of the team of the SRH Branch, s/he is hosted by the Geneva Office, which provides support in administrative and financial matters. His/her work plan is approved by the Chief SRH Branch, and is also discussed with the Geneva Office Director to ensure coordination e.g. on representational issues. The Technical Adviser works within an integrated, coordinated approach which is fundamental to the Division's and UNFPA's overall strategy.

Responsibilities:

Strategic technical support and capacity building

-Scan the substantive environment and maintain feedback loops on technical issues in reproductive health including maternal health, family planning and STI/HIV prevention, with a focus on building and maintaining global health partnerships and monitoring and evaluation, ;
-Identify priority areas in the above field including as it relates to health system strengthening, and develop UNFPA strategic positions and related policies, frameworks, evidence-based arguments, and operational strategies, in collaboration and coordination with Geneva based agencies, other UNFPA Branches and Regional Offices for overall system strengthening;
-Understand and respond to the technical queries from the field, from Regions and from South-South institutions with regards to guidance, standards, instruments and tools on the aspects of monitoring and evaluation in SRH;
-Identify, develop and adapt training materials and manuals in the areas of monitoring and evaluation for SRH, and ensure their availability for capacity development of UNFPA Country offices and their national partners;
-Offer technical guidance to the midwifery programme;
-Contributes to operational guidance in specific areas of maternal and SR health including monitoring and evaluation in respect to the SDGs

Global Health Partnerships and advocacy

-Maintain and foster substantive global partnerships in the area of SRH, including family planning, maternal health and STI/HIV prevention for advancing state-of-the-art knowledge;
-Represent UNFPA in Geneva-based interagency and intergovernmental meetings on substantive issues related to global health, particularly in relation to WHO, as well as UNAIDS, The Global Fund and GAVI Board meetings.
-Provide support to the Geneva Office for mobilization of resources in the area of SRH, including provision of technical presentations to Geneva based Permanent Missions;
-Advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health in international, inter-governmental, U.N., and other policy and technical meetings and fora in Geneva,
-Contribute to and validate a roster of international experts and institutions in SRH and in human resources for reproductive health

Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination

-Identify, analyze, and synthesize state-of-the-art technical knowledge and evidence in the area of monitoring and evaluation for  SRH and ensure its transfer to improve the effectiveness of UNFPA operations;
-Ensure that evidence, technical knowledge and analysis of lessons learned are collected, managed, disseminated and available for application in UNFPA regional and country office operations, in collaboration with the Programme Division and the Regional Offices; and in collaboration with partner organizations (WHO)

Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience 

•Advanced University Degree or equivalent (preferably Ph. D.) in public health, medicine, sociology, health systems/economics, or other field directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.
•Ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the area of maternal health in SRH, of which seven years at the international level;
• An acknowledged expert and recognized authority in the area of SRH, including maternal health;
• Proven experience in FP and maternal health
• Health systems experience, health reform, an asset
• Knowledge and understanding on quality of care, specifically client rights issues an asset
• Up-to-date on state-of-the art knowledge, essential
• Understanding of Human Rights dimensions of RH and gender, an asset;
• Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;
• Extensive network within the academic and development community;
• Field experience is a strong asset
• Fluency in English and French is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

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