The Position:
The Technical Specialist will work primarily on child marriage, in close collaboration with the UNICEF child marriage team, based in the UNFPA Adolescents and Youth team, Sexual and Reproductive Health Branch, Technical Division. You will directly report to the UNFPA child marriage focal point, Technical Specialist, Adolescents and Youth, also based in SRHB.
Within the framework of the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage, you will be responsible for ensuring quality programme management and interagency coordination, providing technical assistance, supporting knowledge management and monitoring & evaluation, and expanding communications and partnerships. You will build linkages with countries/regions outside the programme with the goal of sharing experiences and expertise in ending child marriage. You will facilitate linkages with other areas covered by UNFPA’s Adolescents and Youth Strategy (such as Comprehensive Sexuality Education and adolescent girl-centered programming), as well as with other harmful practices.
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.
Consistent institutional advocacy by UNFPA and partners on the impact of child marriage on girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) has already resulted in greater support for ending the practice, particularly among governments of countries where the practice is widespread. However, progress is too slow for the achievement of the SDG on ending child marriage by 2030, and some regions like the Latin America and Caribbean have seen no progress in the 25 years since ICPD. In response, UNFPA, as part of its Strategic Plan, has committed to enhancing investments towards accelerating reductions in child marriage, gender-based violence, adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among adolescent girls.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody 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:
In a global organization, where many of our people are based in challenging environments, you will play a vital role in operationalzing UNFPA’s commitment to ending child marriage/early unions, and supporting married girls/girls in union.
Qualification and Experience
Advanced degree in sociology, public health, international relations or a similar field; sound knowledge of programmes and evidence base on child marriage, adolescents, and CSE.
At least 5 years of experience in project management and reporting, multi-country initiatives, and interagency coordination; experience in regional and HQ coordination and technical assistance functions; prior experience in the UN system; prior experience in developing countries; strong communication skills (presentation and visual design) desirable
Languages:
Fluency in English required; knowledge of Spanish desirable.