We are pleased to announce the following vacancy:
VACANCY NO.: Job ID 1816
CLOSING DATE: 9 August 2011, 5:00 p.m. New York time
POST TITLE: Chief Technical Adviser (Maternal and Newborn Health)
CATEGORY: ICS- 12 *
POST NUMBER: New
POST TYPE: Non-rotational
DUTY STATION: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
DURATION: 1 year Fixed-Term initially
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Democratic Republic of Congo Country Office/ARO
Background:
Every minute a woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth, over 500,000 every year. And every year over one million newborns die within their first 24 hours of life for lack of quality care. Maternal mortality is the largest health inequity in the world; 99 per cent of deaths occur in developing countries and half of them in Africa. DRC is one of the six countries that contribute to half of maternal deaths worldwide. Fortunately, the vast majority of maternal and newborn deaths can be prevented with proven interventions to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted and every birth is safe.
Organizational Setting:
As part of this effort, the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) Country Office in Kinshasa (RDC) would like to recruit a Chief Technical Advisor (MNH) to serve as Senior Advisor on MDG5 to the H4, the four UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, UNAIDS), the country and the Ministry of Health. S/he will provide the lead technical advisory role in implementing initiatives related to family planning, human resources for maternal health, and in particular midwifery, and Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC), three proven interventions for reducing maternal mortality . S/he will foster effective coordination around MDG5 between government and civil society partners. This post will be particularly strategic as to the H4 to achieve the MDG5
The Senior Maternal Health Advisor reports to the UNFPA Representative in DRC.
Working closely with UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF and The World Bank colleagues in DRC, Africa Region and Technical Division, the Chief Technical Advisor (Maternal and Newborn Health) will work within an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to UNFPA’s overall strategy.
Main Activities/Expected Results:
I. Policy, advocacy and resource mobilization
The Chief Technical Advisor (MNH) will :
A. Provide technical leadership to develop the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH component of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the UNFPA Country Programme and annual workplans
B. Enhance political and social environment for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and especially Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH)
C. Leverage resources for MNH package implementation from provincial governments and civil society actors.
II. Technical and capacity building
In line with the H4’s joint statement on maternal and newborn health, the Chief Technical Advisor (MNH) will work with government and civil society to strengthen national capacity to:
A. Conduct needs assessments and ensure that health plans are MDG–driven and performance–based
- Update needs assessments for Family Planning, EmONC, and Human Resources for Health
- Identify gaps and priority areas of work to reach universal coverage of Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
B. Cost national plans and rapidly mobilize required resources
C. Scale-up quality health services to ensure universal access to reproductive health, especially for family planning, skilled attendance at delivery and emergency obstetric and newborn care, ensuring linkages/integration with HIV prevention and treatment
C. Address the urgent need for skilled health workers, particularly midwives
D. Address financial barriers to access, especially for the poorest
E. Tackle the root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, including gender inequality, low access to education–especially for girls–child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, obstetric fistula and post-partum depression
F. Strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems - Contribute to the monitoring & evaluation and development of annual workplans for accelerating the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. - Contribute to the preparation of the country performance-based and results-driven annual and other reports. - Contribute to the creation and sharing of knowledge by summarizing and documenting results, lessons learned, success and good practices, strategies and approaches to control maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity - Ensure the establishment and proper functioning of secretariat of the H4+1 in DRC
G. Perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor within the field of his/her skills.
III. Managerial Functions:
• In the context of fostering effective coordination around MDG5 between government and civil society partners, he will lead the organization and participate actively in meetings and desk reviews and undertake monitoring missions to assess progress of the maternal and newborn health programmes, implementation, including appropriate substantive and administrative follow-up actions
• Provide support to the process of technical/annual and financial reviews of the UNFPA thematic funds through the preparation of internal documents to assess progress of implementation
• Undertake any other assignments as may be given by the UNFPA Country Representative
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES Core Competencies: • Integrity and commitment to UNFPA’s mandate and values • Performance management, developing people, coaching and mentoring • Working in teams • Analytical and strategic thinking • Knowledge sharing and continuous learning
Functional Competencies: • Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise • Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships • Job knowledge / technical expertise
Qualifications and Experience:
• Advanced university degree in Medicine or nursing with degree in Public Health • Ten years of professional experience in Sexual and Reproductive/maternal Health programme management including field experience and increasing responsibility in the area of international development including public healthExperience in the field of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn (EmONC), Family Planning, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in developing countries. • Previous experience in UN system, an asset. • Technical knowledge, skills and scientific understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights • Good understanding of decentralized health system and health services management, including health policy, planning and services provision & supervision • Recognized expertise in providing technical advice • Strong ability to produce demonstrable results • Knowledge and experience in research and conducting surveys, strongly desirable. • Network within the academic and development community • Knowledge of and practical use of computer (Ms. Word, Excel, Powerpoint and statistical software) • Fluency in French and English is required.
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
How to apply:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.htm
Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.
Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
*This is a project-funded post. . .
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