National Post: Programme Specialist RH, FTA NOC, Manila Philippines

The Position: 

Programme Specialist RH oversees the work of the SRH team as well as consultants, advisors, and experts and establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging  issues. S/he must effectively influence counterparts from diverse backgrounds to contribute to  achieving UNFPA’s mandate.  Internal contacts include the Representative, Assistant Representative,  the CO’s programme, operations, and M&E teams. External contacts include other UN agencies in the country and counterparts and partners in Country programme activities, including international NGOs, experts etc.  

The Programme Specialist RH is located in Country Offices (CO) and reports directly to the UNFPA Assistant Representative, under the overall direction and supervision of the UNFPA Country Representative. 

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 the Philippines, UNFPA has developed its new five-year 9th Country Programme 2024-2028. The 9th CP is tightly aligned with the mid- and long-term development goals of the Philippines and Ambisyon Natin 2040, as well as the global Agenda 2030 including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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.

Job Purpose: 

The Programme Specialist RH will play a pivotal role in driving UNFPA Philippines' efforts to enhance the delivery of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs, with particular attention for marginalized women and youth and the LNOBs. Through a health systems approach aligned with Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Specialist will support the implementation of the 9th Country Programme, ensuring quality, integrated SRH services, including maternal health ,family planning and HIV. The role requires strategic leadership, fostering partnerships across sectors, and promoting innovative solutions to strengthen SRHR integration within broader health and development programs.

Programme Specialist RH will work with consultants, advisors, experts and other Programme and Operations team members from within and outside UNFPA and will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, civil society, academia and private sector in support of SRHR advocacy efforts, resource mobilization, technical assistance and programme management

Main Tasks and Responsibilities: 

You as Programme Specialist RH would be responsible for: 

Technical assistance and capacity development

• Engage in relevant national coordination platforms such as the National Implementation Team (NIT) for the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law and other coordination mechanisms across the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus to advance the SRHR/health systems strengthening agenda.
• Support the development of, review and analysis of evidence-based SRHR policies, strategies, plans and guidelines, protocols, and related legislation.
• Strengthen evidence generation and utilization on SRHR and health systems strengthening providing technical guidance on the implementation of operational research, national assessments, documentation of good practices, and generation and dissemination of knowledge products.
• Provide technical support to the Department of Health, priority Local Government partners, as well as non-governmental organizations, academia and other partners, in implementation and monitoring of SRHR policies and programmes and health systems strengthening interventions.
• Lead the SRH team in the development of innovative approaches on SRHR and Health systems strengthening, and the rolling out of these approaches in consultation with CO colleagues as well as national and international strategic partners.
• Lead the SRH team in the integration of all programme components within the planning and implementation process. 
• Organize or contribute to capacity development activities of national counterparts, particularly at county level.
• Facilitate the development / adaptation / of training materials, manuals, protocols and tools as needed, in the area of SRHR and Health systems strengthening and ensure their availability and promote their use for capacity development.

Advocacy, partnership and resource mobilization 

• Lead the SRH team in SRHR environmental scanning and advocacy work on universal access to SRHR in the context of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach. 
• Lead the advocacy for the implementation of ICPD POA and other SRHR related global, regional and in-country commitments/strategies such as Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM).
• Analyze and assess relevant technical, political, social and economic trends and ensure that SRHR programmes are responsive within the context of the humanitarian- development- peacebuilding nexus.
• Lead the SRH team in preparing white papers, policy briefs, fact sheets and other relevant materials for evidence-based policy dialogues at national and county levels.
• Actively participate and provide technical assistance in the UNSDCF Outcome and Output Groups to advance UNFPA’s area of work, including in SRHR-related Joint Programmes, etc.
• Supports positioning UNFPA in national fora around SRHR and Health systems strengthening and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, civil society, private sector, and development partners.
• Contribute to the development of donor profiles and participate in donor/ development partners’ fora and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office for the SRHR Programme component by preparing/drafting relevant documentation i.e. concept notes, proposals, project documents, project summaries, conference papers, speeches etc.
• Lead the SRH team in initiating/developing, strengthening and monitoring substantive and intellectual regional partnerships in SRHR and Health systems strengthening, including South-South and triangular cooperation.

Programme management

• Lead the preparation of annual work plans and budgets with SRH team and implementing partners to ensure they are in line with country programme priorities.
• Lead timely monitoring and submission of reports and other relevant documents, release of project funds and effective implementation of the project activities and ensure that implementing partners adhere to UNFPA policies and procedures as well as any relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Lead quality assurance activities for implementing partners including audits and spot checks.

Carry out any other duties as requested by the Country Representative and/or Assistant Representative.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Education/Professional: 
  • Advanced degree in public health, medicine, Health Economics, and/or other health related fields.
• Knowledge and Experience: 
  • Minimum of five years of professional experience in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, including health systems strengthening. 
  • Sound knowledge of the SRHR environment in the Philippines including national frameworks and policies on SRHR, maternal health, family planning, ASRH, and HIV, and inclusion.
  • Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of organizational programme objectives to national priorities/capacities.
  • Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
  • Proven experience in resource mobilization including innovative programme financing approaches. 
  • Experience working with health systems in government institutions, NGOs and/or donor institutions. 
  • Good knowledge of the programme development mechanism of the United Nations country programmes and familiarity with UNFPA programmes and policies.
  • Field experience is a strong asset.
• Languages: 
  • Fluency in English is required.

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:

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise;
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners;
• Building strategic alliances and partnerships;
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts;
• Job knowledge/technical expertise and
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment.

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.