International Consultancy: Programme Specialist, SRHR, Johannesburg, South Africa

International Consultancy: Programme Specialist SRHR

Duty Station: Johannesburg, East and Southern Africa Regional Office

Duration of the contract and timeline: 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 

Deadline for applications: 07 September 2022, 5pm New York Time  

Bakground and Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA is seeking to appoint a Programme Specialist to advance regional efforts to strengthen SRHR outcomes through i) coordinating efforts in partnership with regional United Nations entities and stakeholders, ii) Providing technical assistance to regional partners and countries to strengthen regional and country responses on SRHR, iii) Developing and disseminatiing knowledge products to further advance the evidence on SRHR in the region and contribute towards the development of a TA and knowledge hub on SRHR. 

The programme specialist will support the efforts of UNFPA, working in collaboration with other UN agencies, to improve reproductive health commodity security through expanding the availability and range of high-quality reproductive health commodities, strengthen health systems and services; build the capacity of countries and providers to deliver safe care; advocating for an enabling environment at global, national and community levels so that people can exercise their SRH rights. 

Scope of work:

Regional Coordination and programme management

• Convene and participate in global and regional UNFPA and interagency platforms to ensure a coordinated regional response to SRHR.
• Develop, implement and monitor an interagency annual regional workplan to advance SRHR.  
• Identify and provide technical assistance to countries with the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Support capacity development efforts through the implementation of digital and virtual capacity development initiatives.

Knowledge Management

• Strengthen the evidence base and enhance programme performance through leading regional and supporting countries with programme assessments and implementation research to strengthen programme outputs. 
• Support the documentation and dissemination of guidelines, case studies, promising practices and human interest stories with a focus on lessons learnt on programme areas relating to comprehensive abortion care. 
• Support the development and provide inputs into the TA Hub through identifying relevant regional partners, technical experts and institutions to be added to the TA Hub, ensuring that relevant knowledge products are shared through knowledge hub, 
• Participate and convene forums to exchange promising and emerging best practices on programme implementation with country offices and stakeholders in the region. 

Advocacy, communication and amplification

• Provide strategic input into the convening of regional forums with regional economic communities, regional forums of parliamentarians, CSO forums. 
• Identify, develop, implement and monitor regional advocacy efforts to advance SRHR in the region.
• Convene and coordinate advocacy efforts with key regional stakeholders on issues relating to SRHR. 
• Collaborate with the communications adviser to provide input into the unit newsletter, social media products and other communication materials to amplify the work of the region. 
• Develop talking points, key messages and other relevant information materials for senior policy and decision makers.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will contractually work under the supervision of the Programme Manager for the 2gether 4 SRHR Programme at UNFPA and as part of the Access Team.

Duration and working schedule:

This consultancy will commence on 01 October 2022 and continue till 31 March 2023.

Place where services are to be delivered:

UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered: 

The consultant will be based at UNFPA ESARO, Johannesburg, South Africa. The consultant will deliver electronic monthly progress reports by the 25th of each month to show progress and outline the work plan for the coming month.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will be expected to participate in regular progress meetings with the Programme Manager, weekly team meetings, prepare quarterly progress reports on programme implementation and participate in programmatic meetings convened by UNFPA ESARO and the Access Project.

Expected Travel: Travel will be expected within the region in support of regional and country level activities.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies:

• An Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Health Sciences, Social Sciences or Public Health or development studies or related field. 
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in programme/project management and coordination. 
• Minimum of seven (7) experience working in the areas of SRHR, including policy formulation, research, advocacy with previous experience working on comprehensive abortion care an advantage. 
• Experience in providing technical assistance to countries including Ministries of health on issues relating to SRHR in the East and Southern African region. 
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex programs and large-scale projects.
• Previous experience with the United Nations and/or an International Institution or Organization is preferred.
• Familiarity in communicating in a clear and articulated manner, technical and/or complex issues to different types of audiences.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, negotiating, intercultural communication skills and political acumen.
• Computer Literacy: Proficiency in the use of standard MS Office packages and the Internet

Language: Must be fluent in English

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment):
The consultant will be based at UNFPA ESARO.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Payment Provisions:  Payment will be made monthly upon presentation of a monthly report and submission of a completed Certification of Payment Form. 

i)The deadline for applications is 7 September 2022.

ii) Interested applicants should send a short letter of motivation and a detailed CV with the subject clearly stated "Application for Consultancy – Programme Specialist – SRHR Outcomes" to jobs.esaro@unfpa.org

iii) UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom we have further interest.

How to apply:
Interested applicants should send a short letter of motivation and a detailed CV with the subject clearly stated "International Consultant – Programme Specialist SRHR" to jobs.esaro@unfpa.org  Your CV should highlight relevant experience in delivering similar work with relevant links.
UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom we have further interest.

Application deadline: 07 September 2022, 17h00 NY time.

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fee, or request information on applicants’ bank accounts or HIV status.