Individual Consultant for National Condom and Lubricant Strategy Development

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to improve reproductive health and rights, and to ensure that every individual has access to the necessary resources for family planning and maternal health. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in areas related to gender equality, health, and well-being. UNFPA's mission is driven by a strategic plan that emphasizes resilience and renewal in response to complex global challenges, aiming to end unmet needs for family planning, prevent maternal deaths, eliminate gender-based violence, and adapt to demographic changes through evidence-based policies.

Job Overview:
The position involves leading the development of a comprehensive, costed National Condom and Lubricant Strategy for the years 2025 to 203

• This strategy will be based on findings from the 2024 Condom and Lubricant Strategy (CLS) Review and will align with national and global goals for HIV/STI prevention and family planning. The consultant will address persistent challenges identified in the previous strategy (2016-2020), particularly in areas such as demand creation, coordination, market segmentation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and sustainable financing. The role requires synthesizing key findings from past reviews, facilitating stakeholder consultations, and drafting a results-focused strategy that integrates market dynamics and measurable indicators for implementation. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector actors, to ensure a comprehensive approach to condom and lubricant programming in Ghana.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review and synthesize key findings from the CLS 2016-2020 review report, PSAT scorecard, and relevant documents such as the National Strategic Plan (NSP), Supply Chain Management Plan (SCMP), Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) 2022, and UNAIDS/GPC scorecards.
• Organize and facilitate key informant interviews, technical working group (TWG) discussions, and validation meetings with stakeholders including the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), National AIDS Control Program (NACP), Ministry of Health (MOH), Family Health Division (FHD), UN agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and private sector actors.
• Lead the drafting of a comprehensive Condom and Lubricant Strategy (CLS) that addresses the identified gaps and challenges.
• Collaborate with the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service, GAC, NACP, and other partners to develop a costed implementation and investment plan with measurable indicators for success.
• Ensure that the strategy is inclusive, evidence-informed, and aligned with national and global health priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in Public Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Health Policy and Planning, Social Sciences, Pharmacy, or related disciplines.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in developing or implementing HIV prevention or sexual and reproductive health strategies.
• Experience working with national governments or international development agencies on health sector policy and strategy development.
• Proficiency in applying frameworks such as the Comprehensive Condom Programming (CCP) and Total Market Approach (TMA), as well as using evaluation tools like the Prevention Self-Assessment Tool (PSAT) for HIV prevention.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
• A gender-sensitive and inclusive approach to strategy development, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in relevant fields such as Public Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Health Policy and Planning, Social Sciences, or Pharmacy. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the development of the National Condom and Lubricant Strategy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in the field of HIV prevention or sexual and reproductive health. This experience should include developing or implementing strategies at a national or international level, particularly in collaboration with government entities or development agencies. Familiarity with health sector policy and strategy development is crucial, as is experience in applying frameworks and tools relevant to condom and lubricant programming.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in English is essential for stakeholder engagement, report writing, and strategy development. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. The work environment at UNFPA reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. UNFPA is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics.