The position of Technical Adviser, Reproductive Health Commodities sits in the Commodity Security Branch (CSB), and reports to the Global Coordinator of the UNFPA Supplies programme, under the overall supervision of the Chief, CSB, Technical Division (TD).
The Technical Adviser applies an integrated coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to the Division’s and UNFPA’s overall strategy. S/he is a key adviser at the global level for integrated technical and programme advice in RHCS.
The Technical Adviser works with an interdisciplinary team within the TD.
Job Requirements
UNFPA Supplies – a multilateral, multi-donor, UNFPA-managed thematic trust fund –is the world’s largest provider of donated contraceptives. The programme provides over 40 percent of all contraceptives donated to developing countries and helps strengthen health systems to deliver them. Since its inception in 2007, the programme has mobilized over US$1 billion to support national action to expand access to family planning for millions of the world’s poorest women and girls. UNFPA Supplies is uniquely positioned to support countries in their efforts to ensure universal health coverage (UHC), helping to build stronger, integrated health systems that will ensure access to and use of rights-based family planning services, contraceptives, and maternal health medicines.
UNFPA Supplies is governed through a tiered committee structure made up of key programme stakeholders and donors that provides strategic direction and management oversight. A Steering Committee approves programme strategy and key documents based on recommendations from three targeted sub-committees with deeper engagement and subject-matter expertise on finance & risk, strategy & planning, and human resources. Broader stakeholder input and engagement is achieved through annual Partner Assembly meetings.
The Technical Adviser, Reproductive Health Commodities works under the direct supervision of the Global Coordinator of the UNFPA Supplies programme. This role will be the key adviser at the global level for integrated technical and programme advice in RHCS.
The Technical Advisor, RH Commodities is one of the lead technical advisors in charge of providing technical leadership and guidance to the programme in all areas related to the Global Commodity Ecosystem, the forecasting, planning and distribution of modern contraceptive and maternal health commodities.
Responsibilities of the Technical Adviser include:
The responsibility of this role would include providing technical guidance and ensuring UNFPA leadership in interagency work on meeting the recommendations from WHO on RH Commodities, contraceptive options, method mix and MH medicines. Specifically, this role includes, but not limited to the following:
This post will provide advice and oversight, as well as ensuring quality and the delivery of results, in all programmes in the areas of Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS). In the broadest definition, this post is multi- sectoral and crosscutting, engaging in all issues affecting commodity security, policy, system strengthening, supply management,, quality, availability, accessibility and sustainability of RH commodities.
This post will provide advice and oversight in the development of country plans building on existing and on-going national planning exercises. In all activities, s/he fosters collaboration within TD, with the Programme Division, including Humanitarian Response, with PSB, with Regional offices, and with the UNFPA Technical network, ensuring the timeliness, adequacy and relevance and quality of substantive outputs. The primary roles of the Technical Adviser for Reproductive Health Commodities are:
• Strategic technical support, monitoring and oversight
• Capacity development
• Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
• Technical representation
Education: Advanced University degree with specialization in public health, pharmacy, medicine, logistics management, social sciences of programme management, administration, public administration, international relations or other field directly related to the substantive area of work
Knowledge and Experience:
● 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the substantive technical area ideally with direct experience relating to RH Commodities, of which seven years at the international level;
● Extensive knowledge of method choice, method mix and supply management;
● Familiarity with UNFPA core issues – and, more specifically, with Family Planning;
● General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive health care
● Proven ability to produce demonstrable results;
● Extensive network within the development community;
● Demonstrated leadership in the area of RHCS
● Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization;
● Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;
● Ability to synthesize ideas and messages into digestible presentations/documents by non-technical readers;
Other Desirable Skills:
● Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.
Languages: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
