Technical Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population dynamics. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of sustainable development and the empowerment of women and girls, aligning its strategic goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. UNFPA is committed to addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and advocates for the rights and health of women and girls worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Technical Adviser position is a senior role that provides integrated technical and programmatic advice on sustainable financing for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-based Violence (GBV) across the Asia-Pacific region. The adviser will work closely with various offices within UNFPA, including the Regional Office (RO), Sub-regional Office (SRO), and Country Offices (COs), to ensure that these entities are equipped to leverage economic evidence for sustainable financing and investments in SRHR and GBV. The role requires a strategic approach to support the implementation of UNFPA's Strategic Plan, focusing on empowering regional and country offices to secure and manage financing crucial for advancing SRHR and addressing GBV. The adviser will also be responsible for identifying emerging needs, developing innovative delivery modalities, and cultivating strategic partnerships to enhance technical assistance and policy dialogue.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic technical development, monitoring, and oversight to support UNFPA's shift from funding to financing, particularly in health financing and universal health coverage.
• Engage in policy dialogue with governments and development partners to strengthen financing architectures and promote innovative financing modalities.
• Collaborate with UNFPA staff to provide evidence-based advice on health economics and financing analysis to enhance health systems in the region.
• Initiate and monitor regional partnerships in health economics and financing, including South-South cooperation.
• Design and implement learning programs to build staff skills for strategic policy dialogues.
• Coach and manage junior staff and facilitate working groups as needed.
• Build and coordinate a regional knowledge platform in health economics, including investment cases and economic analysis.
• Collect and analyze data to support advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.
• Lead the synthesis of trends and research findings to produce and disseminate technical knowledge. 1
• Collaborate with UN agencies, academia, and think tanks on substantive issues related to health economics. 1
• Carry out any other duties as required by UNFPA leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in public health, health economics, or related disciplines.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in health economics or financing, with a minimum of seven years at the international level.
• Proven experience in a lead health economist role, including health sector reform and public financial management.
• Understanding of UNFPA's mandate areas such as Family Planning, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Gender-based Violence.
• Established networks in health economics and a strong track record of producing results.
• Ability to engage effectively with national counterparts and development partners.
• Field experience in the Asia-Pacific region is preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in public health, health economics, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of health financing and the socio-economic factors influencing sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in health economics or financing, with a significant portion of that experience (at least seven years) at the international level. Candidates should have a proven track record in health sector reform, public financial management, and health systems strengthening, particularly in developing countries and Middle Income Countries. Field experience within the Asia-Pacific region is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Asia-Pacific region would be considered an asset, enhancing the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position offers a competitive remuneration package, including a net salary, health insurance, and other benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities. The organization is committed to ensuring gender parity and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process. The selection and appointment process may involve background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.