The Position:

The RHCS Technical Adviser provides strategic, technical, policy and programmatic leadership for the West & Central Africa region on issues of Reproductive Health Commodity Security and supply chain management, taking into account the principles of human rights and cultural sensitive programming without precluding that of voluntary and informed choice. S/he will work within an integrated coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to the region’s and UNFPA’s overall strategy.

Within an inter-disciplinary team providing integrated policy, programme and technical support to the region and the respective country teams, s/he will maintain primary responsibility for RHCS, in close collaboration with the Commodity Security Branch. S/he will analyze regional trends and formulate strategic actions in response to these, thereby contributing to the monitoring of UNFPA substantive areas being firmly placed within national development frameworks and programmes.  Also, s/he will contribute to enhancing national capacity to mobilize and obtain social and political support for national policies and programmes in the field of RHCS, as well as to building regional capacity to supply technical support in this area.

The RHCS Technical Adviser will be part of the Women’s Reproductive Health Advocacy and Policy Unit of the West & Central Africa regional office, and will work under the direct supervision of the head of unit and the overall coordination of the Deputy Regional Director.

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 new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

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 that 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 program results.

Job Purpose:

Family planning is central to women’s empowerment and sustainable development. Today, more than 300 million women in developing countries are using contraception, but more than 214 million women who want to plan their births do not have access to modern family planning. It is in this context that UNFPA, in its efforts to achieve one of its strategic goals of ending unmet needs for family planning, works with governments and partners to promote universal access to quality, integrated sexual and reproductive health services.

The RHCS Technical Adviser provides technical guidance, advice and oversight, and also ensures the delivery of quality results in all programmes in the area of Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS). In the broadest definition, this position is multi- sectoral and crosscutting, engaging in all issues affecting commodity security, policy, system strengthening, supply management, demand generation, quality, availability, accessibility and sustainability of reproductive health commodities.

S/he will have responsibility, in response to country requests, for the promotion, design, monitoring and evaluation of all phases of equitable Reproductive Health commodity availability throughout all sectors (public, private, non-profit, subsidized and commercial) as well as logistics information systems, guidelines and standards. S/he will provide technical backstopping and conduct relevant research, analysis and training activities aimed at providing information and knowledge-base and readily useable methodologies to RH/FP planners, policy makers, programme managers and service providers.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Gender studies, Economics, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Management or other related fields. 

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in Reproductive Health or Health programmes, ideally with direct experience relating to logistics systems; and at least five years of international experience advising countries on RH commodities;
• Extensive knowledge of supply chain management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics information systems;
• General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive healthcare;
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance within the UN System or International NGOs.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and French is required.
• Knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably or Spanish, would be a plus.