Programme Specialist, Maternal Health, ESARO, Johannesburg, South Africa, P-3

The Position:

The Programme Specialist will provide support to the regional efforts to accelerate progress towards zero preventable maternal deaths in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region as part of the Unitaid-UNFPA SafeBirth Africa (SBA) joint project which is funded by the European Union in the framework of the Team Europe Initiative on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Africa. S/he will coordinate efforts with the ESA countries (particularly the two pilot countries: Madagascar and Uganda), the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union Commission (AUC, in particular with the CARMMA Plus team) and Africa CDC. S/he will also coordinate with Unitaid’s implementing partners (notably Jphiego) and engage with EU Delegations across the ESA region. 

The Programme Specialist will also work with UN Agencies, regional and national institutions, professional associations, and other partners in the region to strengthen national capacities to utilize the latest advances in maternal health quality-assured life-saving commodities. S/he will also support advocacy efforts in working with decision-makers and regulatory bodies while also supporting evidence generation on good and promising practices in the region. The Programme Specialist will work and coordinate closely with other UNFPA business units involved in the implementation of the SBA joint project including the Maternal Newborn Health team in Headquarters, West and Central Africa Office (WCARO), Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), Supplies Partnership Programme, and Madagascar and Uganda Country Offices. The Programme Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Health Systems Specialist. 

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 who 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 will coordinate the technical and programmatic efforts of the  SafeBirth Africa project in the ESA region. The project aims to improve maternal health and well-being and reduce adverse maternal outcomes by strengthening the national policy and regulatory environments, and financing and delivery systems including the capacity of frontline health workers, by taking advantage of ongoing continental and regional initiatives, to utilize the latest medical advances in maternal health life-saving supplies focusing on postpartum haemorrhage.

The Programme Specialist will support the regional efforts on:

• Generating evidence on the impact, feasibility, acceptability, and cost of priority postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) drugs and delivery models. (Specific Objective 1 of the SBA project)
• Leveraging regional and continental platforms to increase the policy, regulatory, financing, and delivery capacity of the national health systems to roll out the use of new and underused quality-assured PPH commodities (medicines, medicinal supplies, devices, and equipment) for the prevention and treatment of PPH, especially within primary health care settings. (Specific Objective 2 of the SBA project)
• Improving access to affordable quality-assured recommended commodities to prevent and treat PPH in Africa, especially through manufacturers in Africa, building on existing continental and regional initiatives. (Specific Objective 3 of the SBA project)

You would be responsible for:

A. Project Planning, Implementation, and Coordination:

• Assist in the development of project plans and budgets, in coordination with project stakeholders and partners.
• Carry out the implementation of the regional project activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives and UNFPA's strategic priorities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with SADC, EAC, CARMMA Plus, Africa CDC, midwifery and nursing associations to support the implementation of their activities.
• Coordinate with UNFPA HQ, SCMU, West and Central Africa Regional Office and Country Offices focal points, as well as with Unitaid and its implementing partners, to ensure effective project implementation and coordination.
• Manage project resources efficiently, including budgeting, procurement, and reporting.

B. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

• Provide technical assistance in developing and implementing the regional and national plans of the project through mailing, online meetings,  workshops, field visits, and others.
• Provide technical assistance to COs in the design and delivery of training programs on PPH prevention, identification, and management for healthcare providers.
• Support organizing and facilitating training, South-South learning, advocacy, and policy dialogue activities through the continental and regional health platforms of EAC, SADC, and AUC/CARMMA.
• Oversee, support, and disseminate regional and national studies and assessments, guidelines, job aids, and mapping analysis on maternal health commodities focusing on the use of new and underused quality-assured PPH commodities (medicines, medicinal supplies, devices, and equipment).
• Contribute to the regional quantification and pooled procurement of Maternal Health (MH) commodities, as well as the mobilization of the Matching Fund, New & Lesser Used, Health Systems Strengthening (HSS), and domestic financing initiatives of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership for MH commodities.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and WHO recommendations on PPH management.
• Stay abreast of ongoing continental and regional (ESA region) initiatives about pooled procurement and local manufacturing of MH commodities.

C. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Contribute to the data collection, analysis, and monitoring in the context of the M&E system and results framework of SBA to track project progress and results.
• Participate and support coordinate meetings with the wider project focal points at country, regional, and HQ levels. Support notably the preparation and facilitation of steering committee meetings.
• Prepare regular progress reports (on SO2/SO3/ESA component of the SBA project), and contribute to project evaluations and assessments.

D. Advocacy and Partnership Building:

• Support advocacy efforts to promote maternal health/PPH management policies, programs, and resources at national, regional, and continental levels: support the development of briefing notes, talking points, speeches, and other materials on MH commodities and PPH.
• Contribute to the elaboration of communications materials of SBA, in collaboration with comms focal points in HQ, ROs, and concerned COs, including social media and website content.
• Foster partnerships and collaboration with relevant UN agencies and other stakeholders working in the field of maternal health and maternal health life-saving commodities. Coordinate notable engagement with EAC, SADC, AUC’s CARMMA Plus, and regional professional associations.

E. Donor relations

• Support donor engagement with the ‘Team Europe’ (EU Delegations, EU Member State Embassies, and development agencies’ offices) in the ESA region.
• Follow up on requests for information and support in relation to the EU as needed.

F. Any other duties as assigned by the Health System Specialist and the Coordinator of the Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Team.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree (Masters Level) in Public Health, Medicine, biology, epidemiology, international development, or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience: 

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional work experience in programme/project management and coordination in the development sector, especially in the area of SRHR and maternal health. Previous experience working with the UN and UNFPA at an international level, or with AUC/RECs, and in the ESA region, is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of policy formulation, research, and advocacy and previous record in coordination, partnerships, and communication.
• Strong understanding of health systems strengthening, access to essential medicines issues, and previous experience working on maternal health and postpartum haemorrhage. 
• Experience in supporting strategic activities and working with other UN Agencies, development, and African partners including reporting and communication.
• Demonstrated diplomatic skills and ability to function effectively in an international and multi-cultural environment
• Strong computer literacy skills, and knowledge of office software packages.
• Excellent analytical, communication (writing and oral), and interpersonal skills.
• Familiar with UN and UNFPA policies, procedures, and programming priorities.

Desirable:

• Experience coordinating multi-country/regional initiatives in Africa with a wide range of stakeholders (governmental, non-governmental, UN agencies, development agencies, etc.).
• Knowledge of the actors and dynamics of the Team Europe Initiative on SRHR in Africa.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN Language is desirable 

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:

• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information 
• Provide a technical support system. 
• Generate, manage, and promote the use of knowledge and information. 
• Strengthen programming capacity. 
• Facilitate programmatic quality results.
  
   

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.