1. Organizational Location
The Programme Specialist is located in Country Offices (CO) and reports to the UNFPA Assistant Representative, under the overall supervision of the Country Representative.
2. Job Purpose
The Programme Specialist, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH&RR) plays a leadership role in coordinating and managing comprehensive integrated programmes on SRH&RR including maternal health, family planning, HIV prevention and harmful practices affecting the health and wellbeing of women and girls. The Programme Specialist supports national efforts to achieve universal access to comprehensive SRH&RR by promoting policy, financing, programmatic and accountability commitments. S/he oversees UNFPA SRH&RR programmes and projects formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation focusing on strengthening Eritrea’s primary health care delivery systems. The staff member provides technical support to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint programming initiatives with sister UN agencies. S/he leads the SRH&RR programme team and collaborates with the CO’s operations/administrative support staff for effective and efficient use of SRH&RR programme resources.
3. Major Activities/Expected Results
Overall Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with Government counterparts, sister UN agencies and other partners, the Programme Specialist oversees the formulation, design and delivery of the country programmes and projects on SRH&RR in line with Government’s priorities, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperative Agreement (UNSDPF) and UNFPA Country Programme Development (CPD) by following UNFPA programme policies and procedures.
- Oversees achievement of SRH&RR programme results through appropriate monitoring and oversight mechanisms and systems.
- Reviews the political, social and economic environment relevant to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, and pursues opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. Assesses implications of new policy developments and strategies on SRH&RR programmes and projects.
- Oversees project implementation, establishing collaborative partnerships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies to facilitate timely, efficient and effective delivery of project inputs.
Specific Responsibilities: As a Programme Specialist, SRH&RR, he/she will (1) advance policy dialogue and thought leadership; (2) support national capacity development; (3) lead advocacy, partnerships and mobilise resources; (4) design, coordinate and manage programmes; (5) supervise and manage performance of teams/staff in the SRH&RR unit; and, (6) support knowledge management on SRH&RR more broadly and specifically on family planning, maternal health including emergency obstetrics and newborn care, obstetric fistula, HIV prevention and harmful practices affecting health and wellbeing of women and girls.
I. Policy Dialogue and Thought Leadership
- Represent UNFPA in strategic conversations to advocate for the development, financing and implementation of policies, plans, programmes and strategies for accelerating progress towards universal SRH&RR in line with Eritrea's national priorities.
- Engage in discussions on aid effectiveness and UN reforms to enhance UNFPA’s effectiveness, impact and value addition.
- Provide technical input to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents to advance sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
- Provide input into the development of global UNFPA’s policies using in-country experience.
II. National Capacity Development
- Support national capacity development in SRH&RR by drawing on and feeding into national and sectoral capacity assessments to ensure capacity building in strategic planning and results based management.
- Support capacity development of Implementing Partners (IPs) to ensure effective and efficient implementation of integrated SRHH&RR programmes in accordance with organizational policies and procedures to strengthen the Eritrean primary health care delivery systems.
- Lead programme and project implementation, guide and orient partner agencies and programme personnel through effective modalities and best practices.
- Regular follow-up and support to Implementing Partners to ensure timely-implementation, and financial and programmatic reporting.
III. Partnerships, Communication and resources mobilization
- Contribute to the country office strategic communication and resource mobilization strategy by analysing information on potential donors, preparing evidence-based briefs and project proposals in line with donor priorities, creating feedback mechanisms and providing information on progress of donor funded projects.
- Represent UNFPA at UN inter-agency meetings for health and government-led technical committees including Development Partner Groups to promote change and enhance effectiveness and impact of working groups to ensure full inclusion and monitoring of SRH&RR including harmful practices affecting health and wellbeing of women and girls.
- Effectively network with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances with institutions and individuals relevant to UNFPA’s mandate and strategic priorities.
- Sensitizes UN partners, donors and government authorities to the Fund’s strategic priorities, identifying areas for joint efforts.
IV. Programme Management and Coordination
- Provide substantive leadership and inputs into the design, formulation and delivery of programmes and projects translating UNFPA’s mandate and strategic priorities into local interventions, and responding to Government priorities , UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and UNFPA Strategic Plan and Country Programme Document.
- Advise and report on achievement of SRH&RR programme and project results by proactively measuring changes and ensuring effective utilization of financial and human resources using appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and tools.
- Achieve results by effectively monitoring, evaluating programmes and projects and managing the projects’ resources. Identify and document best practices and innovative approaches and support their application at scale.
- Guide and manage innovative and responsive programming for the effective implementation of SRH&RR programmes.
- Work closely with UNFPA Operations Staff members to ensure that activities are implemented within the allocated budgets and in-line with policies and procedures.
V. Knowledge Management
- Share information and knowledge on cross cutting dimensions related to SRH&RR with key partners including government and donors to ensure full integration of issues into capacity development processes and health sector institutional reforms through a rights based approach.
- Support the generation of strategic information and evidence to inform national policies and strategies for improving SRH&RR.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor and senior management from time to time in consultation with the Representative.
4. Work Relations
The Programme Specialist oversees the work of the SRH&RR programme team as well as of consultants, advisors, and experts and establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with government counterparts, 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.
5. Job Requirements
Education:
Master’s degree or equivalent in medicine, and public health or related social science discipline.
Knowledge and Experience:
- At least Five years of increasing professional experience in the field of development and population activities, with experience in programme/ project management.
- Demonstrable technical expertise in SRHR including GBV and harmful practices.
- Demonstrated results orientation, with proven experience in results-based management.
- Proven experience in coordinating/managing a team of staff, experts and consultants.
- Proven strategic communication skills in communicating technical and/or complex issues to different types of audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to write robust proposals and mobilization of resources.
- Demonstrated experience in networking, coordination and liaison with government counterparts, NGOs, UN agencies, and other development partners.
- Possess excellent interpersonal, negotiating, intercultural communication skills, and political acumen.
- Experience using Microsoft Office software packages and web based Cloud applications;
- Strong analytical orientation and sound judgment, initiative, culturally sensitive and resourceful.
- Dedication to the United Nations principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in team and with persons of different nationalities.
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
Managerial Competencies:
- Providing strategic focus
- Engaging internal/ external partners and stakeholders
- Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
- Making decisions and exercising judgment
Functional Skill Set:
- Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
- Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Delivering results-based programme
- Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization.
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English.
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus and other benefits as applicable.
DISCLAIMER:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
How to Apply:
UNFPA utilizes an electronic application management system. All prospective candidates are required to submit their applications through the UNFPA electronic application management system. It is highly recommended that candidate profiles are meticulously updated to reflect accurate employment history, academic credentials, and linguistic proficiencies. Applicants must include a formal cover letter, an updated Curriculum Vitae, and copies of academic qualifications, ensuring that contact telephone numbers are provided.
Candidates lacking reliable internet access may personally visit the UNFPA office at 5 Hiday Street (adjacent to EXPO), Asmara, Eritrea, to facilitate the submission of their online application.
Note: All applications must be received within ten (10) business days from the date of the vacancy announcement.
Important Notice: UNFPA does not levy any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Furthermore, the organization does not solicit medical information regarding HIV or AIDS status and maintains a strict policy of non-discrimination.
CANDIDATES SHOULD PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF COMPLETION / EXEMPTION FROM NATIONAL SERVICE
