National Consultant: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Program Officer, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Position:

Technically, the consultant will be reporting to the Lead Executive Officer of MCAH LEO, FMOH, and administratively, to the SRHR Program Specialist of UNFPA Ethiopia Country Office.

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 (2026-2029), focuses on three transformative results: addressing the issue of population dynamics; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending unmet need for family planning; and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, and additionally, for East & Southern Africa, to end sexual transmission of HIV and STIs.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled, ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who can transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact, sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and committed to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Individual Consultant Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Program Officer advises program formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives, and national development frameworks. S/he will provide high-level strategic and technical support to the FMOH specifically through the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Lead Executive Office (MCAH LEO), on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programs and to other relevant LEOs as required. S/he will primarily focus on supporting the Maternal, Family Planning, and Adolescent team within the MCAH LEO. The Individual Consultant will provide support for nexus programming, making linkages between the humanitarian and development settings, including integrating SRHR interventions into the humanitarian response plan. S/he will also be responsible for providing strategic-level support to relevant LEOs and State Ministers’ Offices. S/he will manage work plan management with the Ministry of Health and strategically engage in high-level platforms such as the Joint Core Coordinating Committee (JCCC) and SRHR technical working groups. This consultancy presents an important opportunity for UNFPA to strengthen its partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) through targeted technical assistance and strategic engagement. The consultant’s role focuses on advancing priority health sector outcomes, supporting institutional capacity, and contributing to key reform and implementation agendas. The consultant’s work will align closely with the MoH’s core strategic directorates.

The consultant will be seconded to the Minster of Health MCAH LEO office

You would be responsible for:

• Provide high-level strategic and technical assistance to the FMOH in the integration of SRHR into other social development interventions, both in humanitarian and development contexts
• Support the development and implementation of national RMNCAYH strategy documents, including the HSDIP II, RH, AY, and Obstetric Fistula Strategy
• Support the Research Advisory Council (RAC) of the MOH in the planning and delivery of evidence-based interventions.
• Support MCAH LEO on SRHR debates in a multi-sectoral context (i.e., to provide feedback on SRHR interventions to different departments on policy and programs, and to take part in the different forums on SRHR).
• Provide support to SRHR Programming in the context of Triple Nexus (Development, Humanitarian and Peace Nexus) Agenda
• Provide guidance and support to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute in Strengthening MPDSR, Obstetric Fistula surveillance, and responding to SRHR in humanitarian contexts.
• Facilitate the coordination/attendance of SRHR TWGs to support the design and implementation of innovative programs to advance the health of women and young people
• Represent UNFPA in high-level engagements such as the JCCC, SDG, FP2030, HPN, health Financing, RMNCH COMPACT TWGS, and other SRHR platforms, and provide technical and strategic advice
• Coordinate and facilitate the FP 20230 country engagement, including timely country self-reporting
• Assist the MCAH LEO and senior management at FMOH in policy synthesis and formulation for high-level advocacy and policy dialogue on issues pertaining to SRHR.
• Assist the MCAH LEO in developing and documenting knowledge about current and emerging trends in the area of SRHR by analyzing programs, projects, strategies, lessons learned, and best practices, and share with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
• In collaboration with government counterparts and other development partners, contributing substantively to the formulation and design of SRHR and Population Policies and their component projects in line with Government priorities.
• Liaise with UNFPA programs in the health sector and provide technical and operational support as required
• Support in developing evidence-based policy papers and briefs on key emerging demographic drivers for SRHR and population, and providing inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance, and coordination and development frameworks.
• Promote and coordinate SRHR/population sensitization activities to facilitate smooth integration of SRHR/Population dynamics in the SDGs framework.
• Provide technical assistance to the MCAH LEO to ensure proper alignment of the national SDGs framework with the ICPD and EWENE.
• Support in Annual work plan development with MOH, EPHI, and facilitate timely fund release and liquidation. Provide required technical support to the technical and financial team at MOH on timely planning, reporting, and FACE management.
• In collaboration with the Planning and Development Commission, supporting the post-Nairobi ICPD commitment of the Ethiopian government, in collaboration with other sectors
• Analyze the current needs and emerging issues at MOH and advise UNFPA management and the SRH team on strategic engagement
• Support the facilitation of various review meetings and workshops in combination of in-person and virtual platforms
• Identify technical assistance needs and coordinate with relevant UNFPA teams to provide tailored, coordinated technical support.
• Performing other tasks as may be assigned by the senior management and supervisor

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• A Minimum of an advanced university degree in Medicine, public health, Reproductive health, nursing, midwifery, or any relevant health-related fields

Knowledge and Experience:

• Two years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Maternal health, Family planning, Adolescent & Youth), both in humanitarian and development contexts;
• Experience in program/ project management, including experience in large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals, and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners;
• Proven experience in coordinating/managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts, and consultants;
• Strong experience in the RMNCAY program and in Ethiopia’s health sector are assets.
• Prior experience with the Ministry of Health and the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages 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,

Communicating for impact

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

Compensation and Benefits:

Please note that grade mention in the consultancy is for reference purpose keeping in view the generic requirement of the consultancy and final lumpsum renumeration will be determined upon evaluation of requirement and candidate's profile. Apart from fee, an individual consultant is not entitled to any right, benefit, payment or compensation that is not expressly contained in the individual consultant contract.

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 diversity and gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women and person with disabilities 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.