Position Summary:
The Project Coordinator post of the Strengthening Midwifery Services (SMS) Project II in South Sudan is located in the South Sudan Country Office under the overall direction and strategic guidance of the Country Representative, and the supervision of the Deputy Country Representative. The SMS II Project is the main support to the Government of South Sudan on addressing Human Resources for Women’s Reproductive Health, especially midwives for skilled birth attendants. The current Phase II of the SMS project is a $47.0 million project, within the broader support to Human Resources for Health by the Government of South Sudan and other partners.
The Strengthening of the Midwifery Services Phase II (2015/2016 – 2019/2020) project in South Sudan is co-funded by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and is implemented in partnership with the National Ministry of Health. It represents an innovative funding partnership platform for the delivery of large scale, critical UNFPA services within an integrated country prgramme. The SMS ii Project forms a major component of the overall UNFPA Country Programme support to the Republic of South Sudan.
The Project Coordinator provides overall leadership and management of the project team. The Project Coordinator builds strategic and operational relationships with key decision makers among funding and national implementing stakeholders, and across UNFPA, essential to sustaining effective project development, implementation and delivery. S/He is visible, available and accountable to UNFPA CO management and all project partners.
The SMS Project II includes over 80 personnel with a core of project personnel consisting of 10 technical specialists (4 P4 Technical Specialists, 4 UN Volunteers and 2 National Programme Officers) and four support staff. The project coordinator will also provide strategic guidance to many consultants. The Project Coordinator ensures timely implementation, results-based orientation and accountability for project results. S/he will use UNFPA and national systems and tools to deliver development results and works as part of the Country Office Programme Management Team.
Requirements:
Education: Advanced degree in Management Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Midwifery, International Development, Programme management or other social science related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
• Ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience in developmental work, especially programme/Project management (planning, design, monitoring and evaluation), with at least 5 years in Sexual and Reproductive Health/Maternal and Newborn Health.
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in managing programmes (a Midwifery programme will be an added advantage)
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment is required, and working in a humanitarian context a strong asset,
• Strong results orientation, with proven experience in using results-based management tools
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking and sound judgment; team building and advocacy skills
• Able to promote teamwork between Ministry of Health, project implementing partners, UNFPA and project closely associate UN Agencies (WHO, UNICEF, UNV), as well as project funding donors
• Proficiency in office software applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Strong English communication skills, both oral and written;
• Strong interest in development work, especially the mission of UNFPA and dedication to the principles of the United Nations;
• Willingness to work in a non-family duty station.
Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic will be an added advantage.