SRHR Thematic Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), which is a leading UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, and it plays a crucial role in addressing population issues and reproductive health challenges globally. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of data and evidence-based decision-making to improve health outcomes and support sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The position of SRHR Thematic Expert involves providing specialized expertise in integrated sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, maternal health, midwifery, and family planning. The expert will play a critical role in the evaluation of UNFPA India's tenth Country Program (2023-2027), which aims to strengthen accountability, support evidence-based decision-making, and enhance learning. The expert will contribute to the methodological design of the evaluation, participate in data collection and analysis, and ensure that the evaluation process adheres to ethical standards and integrates human rights and gender perspectives. The role requires collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of consultants and engagement with various stakeholders to gather insights and feedback throughout the evaluation process. The expert will also be responsible for delivering high-quality evaluation outputs that inform future programming and policy decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The SRHR Thematic Expert will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical expertise in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV, maternal health, and family planning throughout the evaluation process.
• Contributing to the development of the evaluation methodology, work plan, and agenda for the field phase.
• Conducting document reviews, interviews, and group discussions with stakeholders to gather relevant data and insights.
• Collaborating with the evaluation team to ensure that all thematic areas are adequately covered and that the evaluation is methodologically robust.
• Participating in meetings with the CPE manager, UNFPA staff, and other team members to discuss progress and address any challenges.
• Analyzing data collected during the evaluation and providing substantive inputs for the evaluation deliverables.
• Ensuring that the evaluation process adheres to ethical standards, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
• Integrating human rights and gender perspectives into all phases of the evaluation.
• Reporting to the CPE Manager and Evaluation Team Leader on progress and findings throughout the evaluation process.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the SRHR Thematic Expert position include:

• A Master’s or post-graduate degree in public health, medicine, health economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, conducting reviews, assessments, and external evaluations in the field of reproductive health.
• Sound knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and relevant government health programs, including maternal health and family planning.
• Proven ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and to analyze data effectively.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide actionable recommendations based on evidence and emerging trends.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the national development context of India and experience working with multidisciplinary teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s or post-graduate degree in relevant fields such as public health, medicine, health economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, or social sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the evaluation of UNFPA India's Country Program.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 7-10 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, and conducting assessments in the field of reproductive health. This level of experience is crucial for ensuring that the candidate can effectively contribute to the evaluation process and provide valuable insights based on their past work in similar roles.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, working knowledge of Hindi, both speaking and writing, is considered an advantage. Proficiency in these languages is important for effective communication with stakeholders and for conducting interviews and discussions during the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will last for a total of 35 days between February and September 202

• The SRHR Thematic Expert will predominantly work remotely but will be required to travel for specific phases of the evaluation, particularly during the field phase for data collection and coordination with team members and stakeholders. The consultant must have their own laptop, and travel arrangements will be made by UNFPA, with a daily subsistence allowance provided in accordance with UNFPA Duty Travel Policy. The work environment at UNFPA promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. Selection and appointment may be subject to background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements.