OPENING FOR CONSULTANCY:
International Consultant, Obstetric Fistula
Job ID: 1937
Closing date: 6 March 2012
Organizational Unit: Sub-Regional Office
Duty Station: Johannesburg, South Africa
Duration: 11 months
Background: As part of the effort to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, in particular obstetric fistula, the Africa Sub-Regional Office in Johannesburg (SROJ) of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) would like to recruit a Consultant for Obstetric Fistula to support the Campaign to End Fistula in the Africa Region. The Consultant is to be posted in Johannesburg (with some travel to country offices (COs) in the sub-region) and is the principle technical advisor, providing Integrated Programmatic and Technical Support (IPTS) for UNFPA/Campaign to End Fistula COs in their support to Governments in the Eastern and Southern Africa Sub-Region.
Recognizing obstetric fistula as a neglected health and human rights issue, in 2003 UNFPA and partners launched the global Campaign to End Fistula, comprised of three major intervention points: Prevention, Treatment and Social Reintegration. The Campaign, now active in 49 countries worldwide, is entering a critical phase, to scale up quality fistula treatment and care services to all women and girls in need of them. To make this vision a reality, the need to ensure sustained, competent technical leadership and support to countries addressing fistula is of the highest priority.
As the Campaign to End Fistula moves towards a higher level of consolidation of its achievements, marked particularly by a gradual integration into Reproductive Health/Maternal & Newborn Health (RH/MNH) programs, the Consultant is expected to play a key role to maintain the momentum of the Campaign. S/he will ensure full integration/institutionalization of fistula into global and/or national programs, strategies, policies and services and will work closely with SRO staff.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Consultant will play a lead technical advisory role in supporting COs to implement fistula prevention, treatment, care and reintegration initiatives. S/he will ensure that the SRO and COs remain abreast of program policies and strategies, as well as emerging evidence related to fistula.
Under the supervision of the Director of the SRO Johannesburg, s/he will provide technical assistance (TA) to countries (from SRO and through country visits). Collaborating closely with the Technical Specialist/Coordinator of the Campaign to End Fistula based in Technical Division (HQ) New York, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:
A. Strategic Program and Technical Support
• Develop synergies with ARO, SRO especially RH/MNH Technical Advisors/Consultants, to ensure that fistula is an integral part of the comprehensive package of SRH • Work with HQ to disseminate the three year vision of the Campaign to End Fistula, including supporting COs in implementing the following activities: o Ensuring a gradual ‘programmatic shift’, away from the familiar camp/campaign mode of fistula treatment, to integrated, holistic fistula services in selected hospitals; o Putting in place (MoH-led) National Task Forces for Fistula, and supporting the functioning of established Task Forces; o Preventing fistula and scaling up high quality fistula treatment services; o Developing strategies to support inoperable/incurable fistula cases; o Strengthening programs to ensure social reintegration of fistula survivors; o Increasing advocacy and awareness raising on fistula, including working with recovered fistula patients as advocates; o Mobilizing sustainable resources for fistula services; o Identifying research gaps and working with MoH to ensure quality, national-level data collection on fistula, including integration of key fistula indicators into country HMIS; o Enhancing communication among global, regional, and country level offices, including via Fistula Focal Points in countries. • Ensure effective, country-driven TA through backstopping, trouble shooting and IPTS missions to COs or using competent institutions, consultants or South-South approaches; • Identify technical resources for fistula and keep abreast of developments on relevant fistula and RH related issues to disseminate to COs, SRO, and HQ; • Support development and M&E of an integrated strategy for delivering programmatic and TA to COs and partners in the sub-region; • Identify and analyze trends, threats and risks in fistula and RH/MNH that may affect UNFPA’s work within the sub-region, and ensure that they are addressed appropriately; • Contribute to the development of policies, strategies, guidelines, and tools related to fistula and RH/MNH, including the role of midwives in prevention and early management of fistula; • Develop, in collaboration with SRO colleagues, project specific materials for RH, ASRH, IEC/BCC Advocacy to support fistula programmes; • With HQ, support global mapping exercise to identify key fistula players/establishments; • Ensure timely production and analysis of required reports (technical, substantive, financial, donor) from COs and the sub-region and assist in the consolidation of global annual reports, making recommendations for follow-up actions; • Provide advice and participate in policy dialogue related to fistula and RH/MNH issues; • With HQ, SRO, and COs, establish a fistula M&E system and advise COs in achieving results and applying recommendations to improve project design and management; • Review fistula annual work plans, budgets, and implementation rates with CO, SRO, & HQ; • Facilitate and assist in annual and mid-term reviews of CO fistula activities; • Participate in meetings of the International Obstetric Fistula Working Group (IOFWG); • Undertake other assignments as required by the SRO Director or the Campaign Coordinator;
B. Capacity development
• Develop and monitor partnerships in fistula/RH/MNH, e.g., South-South collaboration for improved programme implementation;
• Document and disseminate good practices/lessons learned to enhance management of fistula activities and the Campaign to End Fistula; • Support the adaptation of fistula/RH/MNH/midwifery guidelines, training materials, and tools and ensure accessibility for capacity development; • With HQ and SRO, provide sub-regional, regional and inter-country trainings to Fistula Focal Points and project staff as required; • Contribute to development of an IPTS strategy for the sub-region and establish a pool of competent institutions, consultants etc. with expertise in fistula and RH/MNH • Support development of (sub)regional institutional capacities for delivering high-quality programmatic and TA in line with UNFPA’s mandate;
Expected products: Annual SRO work plan for fistula developed and submitted on time, including all key components of the three year vision; Spreadsheet of UNFPA and national-level data on core fistula indicators for all SRO countries completed for mid-year review and annual report; Clear collaboration mechanisms between the Consultant and RH/MNH advisors defined to ensure continued momentum of the Fistula campaign; SRO annual report for fistula – including key indicators – completed and submitted on time; Timely submission of donor reports from specific countries to HQ; Timely submission of travel reports following each mission; SRO country input to mapping exercise available as requested; Feedback and recommendations on country annual work plans, budgets, and implementation rates provided as requested; Concept note on sub-regional advocacy, policy dialogue, and resource mobilization priorities for fistula linked to RH/MNH developed with Regional Communications Advisor and partners; Fistula integration strategy and synergies within and among RH thematic areas available;
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED • Advanced University Degree or equivalent (preferably Ph. D.) in Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Public Health on Nursing/Midwifery. • Clinical experience in reproductive health especially in programming and treatment of Obstetric Fistula an asset. • 3-5 years of experience in management and development relevant to reproductive/ maternal/newborn health, preferably fistula, at the international level. Monitoring & evaluation experience in MNH desirable. • Full proficiency in English. French desirable. • Substantive knowledge and practical experience in public health in developing countries • Excellent programming and management skills. • A solid understanding of the social, economic and political context of the sub-region. • Strong analytical orientation and sound judgment; initiative, resourcefulness. • Track record of report writing and publications in maternal health /reproductive health.
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
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