INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: SRHR Advisor, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Position:

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the UNFPA Nepal country office in implementing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) components of the Country Programme. This includes providing strategic, technical, policy, and programmatic leadership to enhance SRHR interventions. The consultancy will involve leading efforts to ensure substantial contributions and implementation of the workplans, leveraging existing and new partnerships, and advancing SRHR advocacy and policy engagement. The goal is to accelerate actions for delivering resilient, high-quality, human-rights-based SRH information, services, and workforce development.

Under the overall supervision of the Country Representative and close collaboration with the Deputy Representative and the SRH team, the consultant will play a key role in the efficient and effective implementation of RH programmes promoting partnership, synergy and strategic alliances with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies and civil society

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

You would be responsible for:

Under the overall supervision of the Country Representative and close collaboration with the Deputy Representative and relevant thematic teams, the consultant is expected to provide programme and technical support as follows.

• Coordinate RH workplans implementation at national and sub-national level, guiding and orienting project personnel and implementing agencies and introducing effective modalities and practices of implementation in line with technical and programme policies and guidelines.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for delivery of technical assistance or UNFPA supported priority programs.
• Ensure close coordination and synergy with the integrated programme teams of the Nepal Country Office; Ensure complementarities and alignment with the needs, realities, and activities at different levels.
• Identify and analyze trends, threats and risks related to SRH, midwifery and family planning issues that may affect the ICPD agenda, SDGs and UNFPA’s work in the country.
• Provide strategic guidance and technical support to programme monitoring and evaluation studies, and other relevant research undertakings; Develop substantive tools and guidance for monitoring in close coordination and cooperation with the CO Monitoring and Evaluation team.
• Ensure that state-of-the-art thinking in SRH, including family planning, midwifery education and regulation is integrated within the project implementation frameworks.
• Identify sources of technical knowledge both in country and outside. Promote a learning environment and systematic information sharing within the project team.
• Analyze progress, technical and other substantive reports from implementing partners and stakeholders and recommend required follow-up actions. Systematize lessons learned and ensure that these are incorporated into the Nepal Country Office knowledge sharing system.
• Advise and report on achievement of the project results (including semi-annual report and project fact sheets), proactively measuring substantive progress and the effective utilization of the resources using appropriate monitoring and measuring mechanisms and tools.
• Provide strategic guidance and technical support in preparing donor reports, proposals, and concept notes. Spot at least one funding opportunity to scale up the project outreach.
• Identify scope and requirements for and contribute to the development of new or updated policies and strategic frameworks on SRH, including family planning, midwifery education and regulation, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, and comprehensive sexuality education.
• Assemble briefing and background materials related to family planning, midwifery education, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, and comprehensive sexuality education.
• Participate in policy dialogue and advocacy for substantive issues in various fora at the federal, provincial, and local level. Deliver effective evidence-based advocacy messages in support of SRHR.
• Mobilize and network with national and international development partners in support of the Government in the areas of women’s and youth reproductive health, gender and population and development.
• Collaborate on substantive issues with government institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, research and training institutions and professional societies in Nepal.
• Identify and implement south-south and triangular collaborative arrangements.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership
   

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in public health, medicine, sociology, health systems, economics, or other field directly related to the substantive area identified in this job description.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 7 years of professional experience, preferably in programme/project management in the public or private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of programme objectives to national priorities and capacities.
• Strong track record of programme leadership, and proven ability to manage complex programmes/projects and produce demonstrable results, with shared visions and goals.
• Understanding of human rights and gender equality dimensions of reproductive health s desirable.
• Strong negotiation, liaison, analytical and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products.
• Demonstrated expertise in advocacy and policy dialogue is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to network within the development community.
• Field experience is strongly desirable.

Languages: 

Proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN language is 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,

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 mobilization,
• Strategically positioning UNFPA’s mandate and programme activities,
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness,
• Strengthening the capacity of local implementing partners,
• Facilitating quality programme results,

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.

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. 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.