Consultant for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is committed to advancing the rights of women and girls and ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence, aligning its mission with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide high-level technical and strategic leadership in implementing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) components of the UNFPA Nepal Country Programme. This role involves policy and advocacy leadership to strengthen national SRHR priorities and promote partnerships with government, multilateral and bilateral agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations. The consultant will facilitate innovative approaches to enhance health systems, focusing on quality improvement, institutional capacity development, and domestic financing strategies in key areas such as family planning, midwifery, maternal and newborn health, mental health, and adolescent SRHR. The consultant will ensure integration across UNFPA programme areas, particularly in adolescent and youth development, gender equality, and population and development, while providing technical support to enhance the implementation of policies and programs that ensure equitable access to SRH services for all populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will lead policy advocacy engagements with government and development partners to position SRHR, including mental health, within broader development agendas. Responsibilities include contributing to the effective implementation of the Country Programme, leading SRHR components, and providing inputs for monitoring and evaluation. The consultant will represent UNFPA in technical and policy dialogues, develop collaborative relationships with government and external partners, and assert UNFPA's role in advancing SRH in both development and humanitarian contexts. Additional duties include developing policy briefs and analytical papers, ensuring coordination with integrated programme teams, identifying trends and risks related to SRH, advising on program results, preparing donor reports, and identifying funding opportunities to scale up SRHR outreach.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in public health, medicine, sociology, health systems, economics, or a related field. They should have at least 7 years of professional experience in programme/project management, preferably in the public or private sector. A strong track record in programme leadership, the ability to manage complex projects, and a deep understanding of human rights and gender equality dimensions in reproductive health are essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong negotiation, liaison, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and knowledge products. Field experience is strongly desirable, along with expertise in advocacy and policy dialogue.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as public health, medicine, sociology, health systems, or economics is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sexual and reproductive health and rights and for effectively contributing to the UNFPA's mission in Nepal.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience, ideally in programme or project management within the public or private sectors. This experience should include a demonstrated ability to refine programme design to align with national priorities and capacities, as well as a proven track record of managing complex programmes and achieving demonstrable results.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the populations served by UNFPA.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to be full-time and may involve working closely with various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society organizations. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes gender parity and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. The selection process may involve background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements, and UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application process.