OPENING FOR CONSULTANCY
International Consultant, Reproductive Health/Maternal & Newborn Health (RH/MNH)
Job ID: 1938
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, the Africa Sub-Regional Office in Johannesburg (SROJ) of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) would like to recruit a Consultant on Reproductive/Maternal/Newborn Health (RH/MNH). The consultant is to be posted in Johannesburg (with travel to country offices (COs) in the sub-region) and is a key technical advisor, providing Integrated Programmatic and Technical Support (IPTS) for UNFPA and other partners (including to the H4 (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank), on RH/MNH, including midwifery) in their support to Governments in the Eastern and Southern Africa Sub-Region to improve Reproductive Health/Maternal and Newborn health.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The RH/MNH Consultant will play a lead technical advisory role in implementing initiatives related to family planning, human resources for maternal and newborn health, Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC), comprehensive integrated SRH, linkage of SRH and HIV prevention with emphasis on prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT prongs I and II). The Consultant will provide strategic technical and programmatic support in the sub-region, in close collaborate with the programme staff, to ensure that the SROs and COs remain abreast of the Fund’s program policies and strategies, as well as current thinking and academic advances in substantive areas of work relevant to the ICPD Program of Action.
Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Sub-Regional Office Johannesburg, s/he will provide technical assistance (TA) to countries (from SRO and through country visits). Collaborating closely with the Technical Specialists of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund, Sexual and Reproductive Health Branch, Technical Division (HQ) New York, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:
A. Strategic Program and Technical Support
• Ensure effective, country-driven TA through backstopping, trouble shooting and IPTS missions to COs or using competent institutions, consultants or South-South approaches; • 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 RH/MNH that may affect the ICPD agenda and 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 RH/MNH, including the role of midwives in prevention and early management of fistula; • 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 RH/MNH issues. • Serve as the focal point for the UNFPA/ICM programme on strengthening midwifery related activities in the region in the areas of education, association and regulation and ensure follow-up actions with country offices; • Review MHTF annual work plans, budgets, and implementation rates with CO, SRO, & HQ; • Facilitate and assist in annual and mid-term reviews of CO MHTF activities; • Undertake other assignments as required by the SRO Director.
B. Capacity development
• Develop and monitor partnerships in RH/MNH, e.g., South-South collaboration for improved programme implementation;
• Document and disseminate good practices/lessons learned to enhance management of RH/MNH activities; • Support the adaptation of 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 CO 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 RH/MNH • Support development of (sub)regional institutional capacities for delivering high-quality programmatic and TA in line with UNFPA’s mandate; Expected products: MHTF annual work plan developed and submitted on time; Clear collaboration mechanisms defined between the Consultant, and fistula advisors, (and CMAs) to ensure integration of fistula and midwifery into broader RH/MNH policies, strategies, and programmes; SRO MHTF annual report – including MHTF results framework – completed and submitted on time; Timely submission of travel reports following each mission; Feedback and recommendations on MHTF country annual work plans, budgets, and implementation rates provided as requested; A clear vision and strategy for integration and operationalization of the comprehensive SRH package developed.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED • Advanced University degree in medicine or equivalent (preferably Ph. D.) in Public Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nursing/Midwifery. • Clinical experience in reproductive health an asset. • At least 3-5 years of experience in management and development relevant to reproductive/ maternal/newborn health 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.
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.
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