We are pleased to announce the following vacancy:
VACANCY NO.: Job ID 2216
CLOSING DATE: 6 May 2013, 5:00 p.m. New York time
POST TITLE: Technical Adviser (RHCS)
CATEGORY: ICS-12 (P-5)
POST TYPE: Non-Rotational
POST NUMBER: 52403
DUTY STATION: Johannesburg, South Africa
DURATION: One year (renewable) 1/
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: East and Southern Africa Regional Office
BACKGROUND:
The Technical Adviser post provides strategic technical and programmatic leadership in the area of expertise to ensure that Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights-based Family Planning and Reproductive Health Commodity Security, are firmly placed in the global development agenda, including the achievement of the MDGs and within the ICPD Beyond 2014 and the post-MDG/Post-2015 agenda.
The RHCS Regional Advisor also provides technical advice and oversight, as well as ensuring quality and the delivery of results, in all programmes in the areas of RHCS. In the broadest definition, this post is multi- sectoral and crosscutting, engaging in all issues affecting commodity security, policy, system strengthening, supply management, demand generation, quality, availability, accessibility and sustainability of RH commodities.
The primary roles of the Technical Adviser are: • Strategic technical support, monitoring and oversight • Country specific technical support • Capacity development • Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination • Technical representation
A key accountability of the Regional Technical Advisor is the production of high quality products and outputs which enable UNFPA to contribute directly to enhancing national capacity to develop and maintain Reproductive Health Commodity Security as well as to building regional capacity to provide technical assistance throughout the sphere of RHCS, state of the art technical knowledge and, capacity to translate knowledge into tools for effective technical and policy dialogue with partners.
In all activities, s/he fosters collaboration within the Regional office, with TD and in particular CSB, and the Programme Division, including Humanitarian Response Branch, ensuring the timeliness, adequacy, relevance and quality of substantive outputs. The Regional Adviser also acts as a substantive focal point within the Division for one of the Fund’s Regional Offices.
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:
The RHCS Regional Advisor post is located in the Regional of Johannesburg). The Regional Advisor reports to RO Deputy Director Office Director, who provides overall direction and guidance, but work in close collaboration with Commodity Security Branch (CSB), based on a joint work plan approved by both CSB and the Regional Director. S/he is one of the two key advisers at the regional level for integrated technical and programme advice in sexual and reproductive health with a specific focus on rights-based family planning and Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS). The Technical Adviser works within an integrated coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to the Division’s and UNFPA’s overall strategy.
The Technical Adviser works with interdisciplinary Teams within the ESARO and liaises with other technical and programme staff.
MAJOR DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES
The Regional Advisor will have responsibility, in response to country requests, for the promotion, design, monitoring and evaluation of all phases of equitable RH commodity availability throughout all sectors (public, private, non-profit, subsidized and commercial) as well as logistics information systems, guidelines and standards.
S/he will provide technical backstopping and conduct relevant research, analysis and training activities aimed at providing information and knowledge-base and readily useable methodologies to RH/FP planners, policy makers, programme managers and service providers. Working closely with Commodity Security Branch and under the overall supervision and direction of the RO Deputy Director or the SRO Director, the incumbent will contribute to enhancing national capacity to mobilize and obtain social and political support for national policies and programmes in the field of Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS), as well as to building regional capacity to supply technical support in this area. They will specifically:
Country specific technical support
Provide technical support and advice to countries to strengthen the national health system for increased accessibility and use of RH commodities to all individuals across the regions and economic levels within countries. This would entail a demonstrated ability to provide technical support and information on how to increase contraceptive prevalence rate, condom usages, effectiveness of national logistics systems and promote inter country exchange of such information. Lead the regional advocacy efforts by all partners for—and facilitate adoption of—an integrated approach to RHCS that takes as its foundation the reliable and consistent availability of planned RH commodities. This integrated approach is complemented by a focus on issues of quality of care, improvements to the national environment as well as questions of access and demand. Provides technical assistance to countries in the implementation of their country action plans in ensuring that contraceptives and other RH commodities are available to women and men when needed Cooperate with and support countries in analyzing RH commodity systems. Provide technical assistance in improving forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics information systems. Provide advice on commodity aspects of SWAps, PRSPs and health sector reform including integration, decentralization cost recovery, and creative participation in basket funding. Provide advice in accordance with WHO guidelines on specific contraceptive methods as well as cost effective contraceptive method mixes, with special attention to assuring condom supplies appropriate to the stage of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Provision of technical support at key stages of the UNFPA country programme cycle as well as such United System wide processes as CCA and UNDAF. Advocate for adequate lead times in ordering commodities for adequate budgeting for donor coordination relating to commodity supplies and for procurement of cost effective and serviceable equipment. Support new RH commodities such as emergency contraception and the female condom while continuing to advocate for a more gender balanced method mix including vasectomy and the male condom. Contribute to enhancing national capacity to develop and maintain reproductive health commodity logistics systems as well as to building regional capacity to supply consultancy services in RHCS. These tasks will involve design and facilitation of formal training and conducting informal, on-the-job training. Similarly they will require identification and mobilization of potential national /regional /individual and institutional partners for more active participation in RH logistics activities. Identify and support national and international experts and institutions in providing technical support to countries in the area of RH and RHCS. Collaborate with other UN Agencies to promote and provide integrated technical support for RH/RHCS within countries. Collaborate with other members of the Team to promote integrated approaches to improving reproductive health. Perform other duties as required.
Capacity Development
Maintain and foster substantive and intellectual regional partnerships in RHCS for advancing state-of-the-art knowledge; Develop and manage substantive partnerships and collaborations with other UN agencies, including in the context of the UNDG; Contribute to substantive technical capacity development of regional institutions; Identify, develop and adapt training materials and manuals in the substantive area and ensure their availability for capacity development; Contribute to and validate a roster of regional experts and institutions in the substantive area; Coordinate the UNFPA technical network in RHCS in the region, maintaining communication and feedback loops on all substantive work; and, Coach and manage junior professional, NPOs, staff and associates, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task teams. Draft and adapt training materials and manuals in the substantive area and support their implementation for capacity development;
Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
Assist in the process of identifying, analyzing and synthesizing state-of-the-art technical knowledge and evidence in RHCS; Make significant contributions to UNFPA’s analytic work program to ascertain lessons-learned from implementation and to refine methodologies for effective RHCS within a decentralized planning and budgeting context, Contribute to the successful execution of impact evaluations and provide support in developing a prioritized operational research agenda for UNFPA. Remain knowledgeable and up-to-date on all technical and implementation issues that relate to RHCS as well other components of Health systems development to periodically update other the Inter-Divisional Working group members involved in the Program.
Contribute to and review materials for both internal and external audiences, including presentations, talking points, briefing materials and background documents for Sr. management within UNFPA’s participation in high level external meetings. Assist in promoting in the substantive area, UNFPA’s comparative substantive role and specific contribution in the changing development agenda;
Contribute to and review materials for both internal and external audiences, including presentations, talking points, briefing materials and background documents for Sr. management within UNFPA’s participation in high level external meetings. Assist in promoting in the substantive area, UNFPA’s comparative substantive role and specific contribution in the changing development agenda;
Technical representation
Work in collaboration with staff of TD and PD, including knowledge sharing and humanitarian response; IERD; and regional offices in providing state-of-the-art substantive support; Represent UNFPA on substantive issues, adapt UNFPAs substantive global perspective to regional circumstances, and support advocacy for RHCS in international, inter-governmental, U.N., and other policy and technical meetings and fora; Collaborate with UN agencies, academia, research and training institutions, professional societies in the region, and act as focal point for inter-agency working groups in the substantive area; Act as the Division’s substantive focal point for one of the UNFPA regions; and, Carries out any other duties as may be required by the head of the Regional office
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Advanced university degree or equivalent in public health, medicine, logistics management, social sciences of business or other related field. The graduate or post graduate degree must be directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post. A course in logistics, essential drugs, and MIS is a plus. • 10 years of increasing responsibilities at the national level in RH or health programmes ideally with direct experience relating to logistics systems • At least five years regional international experience advising other countries on RH commodities • Extensive knowledge of supply management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics information systems. • General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive health care. • Familiarity with UN development programmes and working procedures especially UNFPA policies and programming procedures, an asset. • Excellent knowledge of English; good working knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.
Required Competencies:
CORE COMPETENCIES: Values/Guiding Principles Developing People Personal Leadership and Effectiveness Building and Managing Relationships
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Excellent knowledge and understanding of Reproductive Health and Reproductive Health Commodities Security in the context of the new aid environment particularly in Africa. Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise – developing innovative and creative approaches. Leveraging the resources of national government and partners, and building strategic alliances and partnerships – identifying and building partnerships. Job knowledge and expertise – in depth knowledge of their discipline
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
1/ No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulation 4.5
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 athttp://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.
Notice to applicants: In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.
UNICEF Technical Adviser, RHCS, East and Southern Africa Regional Office, ICS-12 (P-5)
Reviewed by Unknown
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8:06:00 AM
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