Job Summary

The Reproductive Health (RH) Specialist plays a key role in in improving programme coordination, partnership and advocacy in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health. S/he will provide strategic technical, policy and programmatic leadership for the country office in the area of reproductive, maternal, new-born and adolescent health, and family planning. S/he will be responsible for analysing current trends in SRH related issues and contribute to strategic action and providing strategic guidance in shaping national development frameworks and programmes with a focus on the achievement of the SDGs and ICPD Programme of Action. S/he will maintain primary responsibility for the provision of technical assistance, advocacy, policy and programme support. S/he will be ensuring the sustainability of national RH efforts to deliver quality reproductive, maternal, new-born and adolescent health, and family planning, with particular attention to reaching marginalized populations.

S/he will collaborate with national authorities, civil society organizations, private sector and development agencies to provide technical support in order to reduce maternal mortality, and unmet needs in family planning.  S/he will report to the Deputy Representative, who provides overall direction and supervision, and will work in close collaboration with the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF), and Commodity Security Branch (CSB). As the Technical Specialist for the RH and health systems, s/he will work within an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening approach that is fundamental for UNFPA overall strategy. 

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 programme results.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Master degree or equivalent in public health, medicine, sociology, development studies, health systems, health economics, social sciences, or other related fields.

Experience:

• 7 years of relevant increasingly responsible professional experience in managing RH or health programmes, of which at least 5 years at the national and/or international level in reproductive, maternal, new-born and adolescent health, family planning, and STI/HIV/AIDS in development and humanitarian contexts. 
• Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of programme objectives to national priorities and capacities
• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders including government, civil society, development partners and the academia
• General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive health programming.
• Familiarity with UN development programmes and working procedures, especially UNFPA policies and programming procedures, would be an asset.
• Proven experience in managing complex programs and large scale projects would be an asset;
• Solid interpersonal communication skills;
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills;
• Computer Literacy: Proficiency in the use of standard MS Office packages and the Internet.

Languages:

Excellent written and oral communications skills. Fluency in French and English is required.